CABLE BAY VINEYARDS
Cable Bay Vineyards
Shareholders
Doug Todd
Chief Executive Officer
Doug Todd commenced his role of Chief Executive Officer for Cable Bay Vineyards in February 2009, bringing with him a wealth of sales and marketing experience. Doug was previously Director of Sales and Marketing for local gourmet food and beverage business Delmaine Fine Foods Ltd. Prior to that he has held senior roles in a range of local and international organisations across diverse industries.
“Cable Bay Vineyards has developed an outstanding reputation for its wines and restaurant facility on Waiheke Island and I am very much looking forward to leading the team here and contributing to the ongoing growth of the business.”
Neill Culley
Chief Winemaker
Neill (pictured here) is an innovative traditionalist who is renowned for producing premium wines. His winemaking philosophy centres on understanding and accenting the unique characteristics that each vineyard contributes to a wine. To achieve this vision, he blends wines produced from Cable Bay's different vineyards to produce sophisticated wines with excellent regional characteristics. His care and commitment to growing outstanding grapes, combined with traditional low intervention winemaking techniques, produces appealing wines with layers of interest that evolve in the glass. Neill is a past Chairman of the New Zealand Wine Guild and past President of the Waiheke Winegrowers' Association.
William Thorpe
Executive Chef
My passion is simple, I just love food and specifically, flavour. The more I've traveled, trained, learnt and cooked, the more committed I am to clarity and simplicity in food, to the purest presentation of flavour. Maybe it’s my family heritage or just great meals I’ve had but I love rustic food. Here on Waiheke I have access to fresh high quality seasonal produce that allows me to explore my love of peasant cuisine through modern European techniques. UK born, William has traveled extensively and cooked in many kitchens in many styles including Michelin starred establishments.

Sam Clark
Head Chef
Sam started cooking in his home town of Raglan at local favourite Vinnies before completing his qualifications at WinTec in Hamilton. After this he manned the stoves at Iguana in Hamilton before heading up to Auckland to work at the Convention Centre at Sky City. Whilst working at Sky City, Sam met William Thorpe who eventually persuaded him to take the plunge and head to Waiheke Island in order to open the restaurant at Cable Bay Vineyards. Sam quickly gained the position of Sous Chef at the age of only 23. After 1 ½ years at Cable Bay, Sam took the position of Sous Chef under Des Harris at Clooney Restaurant in Freemans Bay, Auckland, a position that enabled him to complete stints at Becasse in Sydney (Justin North) and Attica (Ben Shewry) in Melbourne. With only a little persuasion, Sam returned to Cable Bay in August 2010 to work with Will Thorpe again. Holding the position of Head Chef, Sam now actively collaborates with Will in creating new dishes for the menu in addition to overseeing the day to day running of the kitchen.
Carol Schofield
Event Coordinator
Carol has 20 years administration experience and prior to joining Cable Bay Vineyards in 2005 she worked in the construction industry for 17 years. Her main role now is coordinating event bookings and assisting Neill and Andi.
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SHAREHOLDERS
Cable Bay Vineyards' shareholders are experts in their respective fields and actively contribute towards helping the company achieve its goal of crafting exquisite wines that are known for their subtlety, elegance and depth. Most shareholders are also on the Board of Directors, which enables them to actively contribute significant business development and wine industry expertise.
Neill Culley (Chief Winemaker)
David Irving (Chairman, Board of Directors)
John Carter Snr
Judy Irving (Board of Directors)
John Gow (Board of Directors)
John & Margaret Edwards
Sir Anthony O'Reilly
Cable Bay Vineyards' founder Neill Culley has been involved in New Zealand's wine industry since 1982, during which time he has developed a reputation for producing premium wines that are known for their subtlety, elegance and depth. This is a long way from Neill's original intention to become a marine biologist! A holiday job at a winery when he was studying at university convinced him that his future lay in the wine industry. Neill oversees many aspects of the company's operations, in particular the viticultural management and winemaking. In the past, Neill has also held marketing and general manager roles within the wine industry.
David Irving
Chairman, Board of Directors
After retiring as Chief Executive of Heinz Wattie, Australasia in 1997, David took up various directorships and university positions. These include Chairman of Nobilo Wines Limited and Genesis Research and Development Corporation. David and his wife Judy are past owners of the Irongate Vineyard in Hawke's Bay. In addition to his business interests, David is Adjunct Professor of Enterprise and Management at the University of Auckland Business School. He was a founder and is Chairman of The Icehouse, an incubation and growth programme for small and medium businesses.
John founded both Carter & Associates Limited and Top ENZ Ltd, the largest suppliers of dry goods materials to the NZ wine industry. He also recently established GlobalCap NZ Ltd to manufacture locally produced screw caps.
Judy Irving
Board of Directors
Judy and her husband David are past owners of the Irongate Vineyard in Hawke's Bay and Judy was actively involved in its development.
John & Jo GowBoard of DirectorsJohn & Jo are passionate Waihekeans, well known in art and sculpture circles. With their insight and expertise it has set us on a course of art display, acquisition and involvement that reflects much of the Cable Bay philosophy. You can visit John & Jo at their sculpture park – cottage accommodation at Connells Bay, Waiheke Island http://www.connellsbay.co.nz/
Neighbours, shareholders, friends and olive growers. Margaret makes our award winning extra virgin olive oil and is also a renowned olive oil judge.
Sir Anthony is the retired CEO and Chairman of the H.J. Heinz Company, and owns publishing company Independent Newspapers. He is also the Chairman of Waterford Wedgewood and is the Executive Chairman of Independent News and Media. Previous significant appointments include being an elected member of the New York Stock Exchange's Board, Chairman of the Grocery Manufacturers of America, the first CEO of the Irish Dairy Board, and World Chairman and founder of the Ireland Funds. He was knighted in December 2000 for his long and distinguished services to Northern Ireland. In addition, Sir Anthony has represented both Ireland and Britain in rugby.

