TONY BISH WINES

Few winemakers have shaped New Zealand Chardonnay quite like Tony Bish. With more than four decades of experience and an uncompromising passion for one variety, Tony has built a reputation as one of the country's true Chardonnay pioneers.

His winemaking journey began in 1981 during vintage at Corban's in Gisborne. What started as a way to fund a ski season quickly became a lifelong career, leading to roles at Vidal, the co-founding of Sacred Hill Wines in 1986, pioneering work in Central Otago with Rippon, and eventually more than two decades as Chief Winemaker at Sacred Hill. Throughout that time, Tony established himself as one of New Zealand's most respected winemakers, earning acclaim for some of Hawke's Bay's most celebrated Chardonnays.

In 2013, Tony launched Tony Bish Wines with a singular vision: to explore every possible expression of Chardonnay. Today, the winery is recognised as New Zealand's only producer dedicated exclusively to Chardonnay, crafting wines that showcase the remarkable diversity of Hawke's Bay's vineyards through innovation, patience and meticulous attention to detail.

Working alongside his son Oscar, Tony combines decades of intuition with modern winemaking science. Fruit is hand-picked, gently whole-bunch pressed, and fermented with minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard to speak for itself. Fermentation vessels play a defining role, from French oak barrels to concrete eggs and the iconic French oak Ovum—one of the most distinctive fermentation vessels in New Zealand. Each shape influences texture, complexity and expression, creating Chardonnays with remarkable individuality.

Based at the Urban Winery in Ahuriri, Napier, Tony Bish Wines continues to push the boundaries of New Zealand Chardonnay while remaining firmly rooted in Hawke's Bay. The region's long sunshine hours, cool nights and diverse soils provide the ideal canvas for wines of purity, power and finesse.

Every bottle reflects Tony's philosophy that great Chardonnay is equal parts art, science and trust in the ferment. Rather than forcing a style, the winemaking team allows nature to take the lead, crafting wines that are elegant, expressive and unmistakably reflective of both vineyard and vintage.

From the approachable Heartwood to the iconic Golden Egg, The Family, and single-vineyard expressions, Tony Bish Wines has become synonymous with world-class New Zealand Chardonnay—crafted by a winemaker who has never stopped asking how Chardonnay can be even better.