The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

Palliser Estate appoints new CEO

Pip Goodwin will assume her new role as CEO in September.

Pip Goodwin will assume her new role as CEO in September.

Palliser Estate Wines of Martinborough has named Pip Goodwin as its new Chief Executive Officer. Goodwin will assume her new role in September, succeeding founding Managing Director Richard Riddiford, who announced his retirement this year after 25 years at the helm.

Currently serving as Associate Winemaker and Marketing Manager, Goodwin has a wealth of business and winemaking experience. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma from the University of Otago and has ten years’ experience working as a Chartered Accountant and Management Consultant both in New Zealand and overseas. In 2004 Goodwin completed a Postgraduate Diploma of Oenology and Viticulture at Lincoln University.

During her ten years at Palliser, Goodwin has been largely involved in a winemaking role but has worked across all aspects of the business including environmental system management, sales, marketing and finance.

“Pip will bring a unique set of skills to Palliser with her accounting background and her winemaking and marketing skills,” said Richard Riddiford, Palliser Managing Director. “The challenges of the wine industry will continue but with Pip at the helm we will be well placed to handle whatever comes our way. There is an old saying that without change nothing stays the same. So onwards and upwards.”

Goodwin’s appointment came after an executive search process and the newly appointed CEO says she is well aware she has big shoes to fill.

“Richard has been a great mentor to me over my years at Palliser,” says Goodwin. “I consider myself lucky to have worked so closely both with Richard and Chief Winemaker and Viticulturist Allan Johnson, and I am excited at the prospect of building on Palliser’s proud heritage.”

Riddiford has led many successful industry initiatives including Toast Martinborough, the Pinot noir conferences and the Family of Twelve, all which have stood the test of time. Riddiford has been recognised widely for his outstanding contribution to the industry. In 2000 he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), in 2010 he was inducted into the NZ Wine Hall of Fame and last year was inducted as a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers.

About Palliser Estate

Palliser Estate is a pioneer of the Martinborough wine industry. One of only 100 wineries in New Zealand at the time, they planted their first vines in 1986. Today Palliser has six estate vineyards on the Martinborough Terraces. Palliser has established and maintained a reputation as a producer of premium quality, hand crafted wines gaining broad recognition for their stable of five varieties (Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling).

In 2004 Palliser was named Food and Beverage Exporter of the Year by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.