Helen Morrison always had an awareness of the wine industry - hardly surprising, given her Nelson upbringing and the vineyards that predominated in the region.
But it took years of living and working overseas, and a completely different original career path, before Helen realised her true calling back in her old homeland.
Helen is Villa Maria's senior Marlborough winemaker. That means she's responsible for producing some of the country's best sauvignon blancs, and a whole lot more as well.
Helen, who originally worked in the travel and banking industries in Europe and the UK, is now totally committed to working within what she calls the "Villa Maria family". Under the stewardship of founder and former Entrepreneur of the Year Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria encourages people such as herself to constantly create wines that people love to drink.
That can mean stepping outside the usual parameters of traditional winemaking, says Helen . "[Sir] George always wants to try new things, he's willing to take a chance." One such example is the Marlborough sauvignon gris that Helen is currently creating for Villa Maria. "It's been an interesting journey on how to deal with that varietal," she says.
The ancient Bordeaux grape variety has a soft acidity and creamy texture on the palate, and Helen says she and her team have learnt a lot over the four years they have been making that wine.
Working for a family company like Villa Maria - recognised as New Zealand's Most Awarded Winery and fourth Most Admired Wine Brand in the world - allows for different priorities to come to the fore, Helen explains. "It's not solely about the bottom line, but it is always about quality. We all share the same goals and family values, of being together and trying to achieve something wonderful in the glass."
Helen looks at the emergence of wines such as rose as an example of how trends and tastes can mature. Less than a decade ago, many wine-lovers were rose-averse, now there's been a huge growth in the quantity and quality of roses.
Villa Maria has likewise grown exponentially since Sir George and his wife Gail first established their business as sole operators more than 50 years ago The company now employs more than 250 permanent staff and exports wine to over 60 countries across the world.
But size has not seen the loss of the most vital component of the business, says Helen, who was top female student when she completed her Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. "Despite the scale, it's still got a family feel."
Harvest time is her busiest - and happiest - time of year. On those March days she'll be out and about with viticulturalist Stuart Dudley, walking up to six hours a day through the vineyards, checking on each and every vine to ensure the wines produced cement Villa Maria's reputation as one of the world's greatest wine companies. Says Helen: "The challenges we face each vintage depend on what Mother Nature gives us. That's a big part of what keeps us passionate about the industry and the family we work with."
Helen's top pick
"I just love this Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Noir Rose. It captures summer in a glass. I call it the perfect mix: aromatics of freshly picked raspberries and strawberries, combined with fresh herbs and delicate florals. On the palate, think juicy watermelon and red cherries, dancing with the crisp tartness of pomegranate seeds. I enjoy it all year round.