New Zealand winery Cloudy Bay has restructured its winemaking team, abolishing the position of senior winemaker.
Eveline Fraser, senior winemaker, has been made redundant, and other staff winemakers have taken charge of specific varieties as the company searches for an operations winemaker.
Kevin Judd, who co-founded Cloudy Bay 25 years ago, remains a consultant. Judd announced in December that he would step down as managing director and chief winemaker.
Cloudy Bay is part of Estates and Wines, Moët Hennessy’s wine division.
Rob Remnant, vice-president for Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, confirmed that a result of ‘a fairly substantial restructure’, Nick Lane and Tim Heath were now in charge of winemaking.
Lane, who has been at Cloudy Bay for seven years, is in charge of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and the management of winemaking environmental issues while Heath, who joined the winery five years ago, is responsible for Sauvignon Blanc, other varietals and Pelorus sparkling wine.
The operations winemaker will handle planning, scheduling and operating procedures.
Recent reports have indicated that Moët Hennessy owner LVMH has proposed the sale of its wine and spirits division to Diageo.
Written by Chris Snow in Adelaide
