In 1995, Peter & Felicity Parish moved back to North Canterbury where Peter spent his childhood. With a professional background in the trade and a family beginning their winemaking careers, Dunnolly was established by planting 72 rows of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir on 8 hectares of Waipara Valley Clay Loam soils.
Named after the family villa that was restored and relocated to the vineyard, Dunnolly is a true family affair with Peter (Father) the viticulturist, Nicky Parish (Daughter) the hands-on winemaker and Matt Parish (Son) a winemaker in USA. Exclusive global distribution to Naked Wines has allowed the Parish Family of Winemakers to have daily engagement with their customers, ensuring the family continually strive to craft the best wines for your family table.
NICKY PARISH
Daughter, winemaker, brand ambassador and weekend artist.
Nicky started her career in the wine industry pruning the vines at Dunnolly Estate during her winter holidays at University. With her father and brother showing a keen interest in wine, Nicky also started to develop a fascination for the industry inspiring Nicky to redirect her focus to viticulture and oenology. Upon graduating in 2000 Nicky travelled, gaining valuable winemaking experience in the Hawkes Bay, Oregon, Canada and France before locating to Marlborough in 2006.
After working at several contract crush facilities within Marlborough Nicky decided to make her own way in the world of wine and set up her own consultancy business in 2016. Nicky is the hands-on Winemaker for Dunnolly Estate and lives in Blenheim with her husband Hayden and their dog Flynn.
PETER PARISH
Father, tractor driver, pruner, financier, weekly golfer and all-round hard grafter.
Peter was born and raised in Christchurch. Migrating to Wellington in his early twenties, Peter found love, married Felicity and started a family. After spending thirty years working in an urban environment while living in the North Island, he decided it was time to come back to his home province of Canterbury. Peter spent the bulk of his professional career in the wine and spirit trade while harbouring a passion for development and crafting of wine. In 1995, he decided that it was time to embark on an adventure to fulfil this long-standing passion and interest.
Dunnolly Estate started as a bare block of land in the Waipara Valley. With careful and heartfelt effort Peter has developed that land into a flourishing and progressive vineyard. Over the course of 23 years, Peter has developed into a very meticulous grower, while constantly learning and adapting to the ever-growing new vinicultural skills and knowledge of the industry. Peter’s work philosophy results in a hands-on role within the vineyard, which crosses over to his role within the Trade. This hands-on approach and hard graft allow the vineyard to always enjoy pristine conditioning. This high standard of vineyard care is reflected by the continuously stunning wines produced by Dunnolly Estate Wines.
MATT PARISH
Son, adviser, winemaker and Father to Oliver & Phoebe with wife Sam.
After finishing his Master’s in Applied Science in 1996 Matt spent much of his professional career overseas before settling down in the USA in 2003. After many successful roles including Director of Group Winemaking for Constellation Wines US, Chief Winemaker for Treasury Wine Estates Americas and International Chief Winemaker / Officer for Naked Wines International Matt launched his own wine brand and consulting business in 2016. Today he makes a range of wines from around the world under his own brand, “Matt Parish” and for a select few clients.
Matt brings advanced technical expertise, great team management skills, and a broad knowledge of the marketplace and wine industry. Matt’s overseas experience and knowledge allow Dunnolly Estate Wines access to ideas and developments within the industry from a global perspective.
