Jane Hunter is known around the world as the First Lady of New Zealand Wine. As owner, viticulturist and managing director of Hunter’s Wines since 1987, Jane has lead the company to outstanding local and international success as one of New Zealand’s ground-breaking premium wine labels.Her philosophy has always been quality before quantity, ensuring Hunter’s distinctive wines are always medal winners and in demand by wine lovers around the world.Born in South Australia, where her father was a contract grape grower for BRL Hardy Jane gained a degree in Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide. She worked in Australia and New Zealand at various jobs, including teaching horticulture to prisoners in Australia and running at café in Waikanae before she was appointed to the position of National Viticulturist for Montana Wines based in Blenheim. At a crucial time for New Zealand’s fledgling wine industry, Jane was in charge of all Montana’s vineyards, setting work programmes for the managers, organising research and development and liaising with contract growersJane met and married Irishman Ernie Hunter in 1984, and after his untimely death in 1987 she took over running Hunter's Wines which Ernie had established in Marlborough in 1978. It was widely expected that Jane would sell up and move back to Australia, but the resolve that fuelled Jane’s decision to stay and fight for a future for Hunter’s Wines after Ernie’s death has come to light many times since.It is her expertise and that of the team at Hunter’s Wines headed by multi award winning Chief Winemaker, Gary Duke, which ensures the consistently high quality of wines produced by Hunter’s Wines and has enhanced recognition of the winery as one of world standing.Specialties: 1993 - Awarded an OBE for services to viticulture1997 - An Honorary Doctorate of Science from Massey University2003 - Inaugural Wine&Spirit Competition Women in Wine Award (UK), international accolade recognising the contribution made to the wine industry in NZ and overseas.2009 - New Years Honours list Jane achieved a CNZM (Companion of the NZ Order of Merit) for services to viticulture Jane won the manufacturing category of the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s World Class awards