Winemakers On Fire, Issue #69

Hello, fellow wine lovers!

Welcome to this week's edition of Winemakers On Fire, where we spotlight Eva Pemper, a resilient vintner whose journey from Croatia to New Zealand embodies the spirit of perseverance. Born into a winemaking family that crafted wines during wartime, Pemper has carried that tenacity across the globe. 

Now the founder of Eva Pemper Wines in Marlborough, she's making waves with her award-winning creations, including a 2022 Pinot Noir that recently clinched a Master Medal at the Global Masters Pinot Noir 2024 awards. 

Join us as we explore Pemper's unique blend of Old-World heritage and New World innovation, her commitment to sustainability, and her vision for the future of winemaking.

“Flexibility is the key to overcoming challenges and finding solutions quickly. This has proven to be very important, especially now in 2024, when it has been very challenging to run a wine business. The economic environment is very tough, and you have to be very resilient.”

Let’s dive in.

Meet New Zealand's Resilient Winemaker: Eva Pemper, Founder of Eva Pemper Wines

Eva Pemper's journey from war-torn Croatia to becoming an award-winning winemaker in New Zealand is a testament to her resilience and passion. Born into a winemaking family, Pemper's roots run deep in the vineyards of her homeland. However, faced with adversity, she embarked on a global adventure that led her to the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand. 

There, she founded Eva Pemper Wines, blending her Croatian heritage with New World techniques to create exceptional vintages. Her 2022 Pinot Noir's recent Master Medal at the Global Masters Pinot Noir 2024 awards showcases her skill and determination. Pemper's story is one of overcoming challenges, from making wine in a war zone to launching a brand during a global pandemic. 

Her commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention winemaking reflects a deep respect for the land and its bounty. In this interview, Eva Pemper shares her remarkable journey and vision for the future of her brand.

Welcome, Eva.

Thank you, Mike.

Your journey from Croatia to New Zealand is quite remarkable. How has your Croatian heritage and family legacy in winemaking influenced your approach to crafting wines in New Zealand?

I came to New Zealand in 2012 following my dream to travel, meet people and make wine around the world. I absolutely fell in love with New Zealand and New Zealand wines, people and places. I come from a winemaking family, so I didn’t have to go far for my inspiration to be a part of something as wonderful as the world of wine. My parents are my inspiration. They are very talented and passionate winemakers. Their love for crafting wine immersed me, on a daily basis, in something that sparked a passion in me and led me to the path I am on now. 

I hold a master’s degree in winemaking from Agriculture University in Zagreb, Croatia, and a Graduate Diploma in Oenology from EIT, Hawke’s Bay. This has given me a deep understanding of winemaking practices from very different parts of the world that I draw on in my winemaking. My parents started making wine in a garage with nothing but a strong belief and deep faith that this is what they should be doing. It was hard during the period of war in Croatia, but my family didn’t give up. As a family, we are all proud of what we achieved in those extremely difficult times. Making wine in a war zone is no easy thing! I treasure my family’s inspiration to work on something so interesting, challenging, and amazing as making wine. 

Due to a few sad things that happened, there was no business for me to continue when I finished my studies so now, here I am on the other side of the world, committed to continuing my family’s legacy and sharing our story. 

I started Eva Pemper Wines with my business partner, who owns a vineyard in Marlborough. This means that we have our own vineyards and a secure supply of high-quality grapes, which is such an essential resource that ensures our ability to produce exceptional wine year after year. The “Eva Pemper” brand is a product of many wonderful things that came together and became one. Continuing my family’s legacy and sharing our story are at the core of my wines. I feel very special to be able to do that from New Zealand. 

What drew you to New Zealand specifically as a destination to continue your winemaking career? How does the wine industry here compare to your experiences in Croatia?

I always wanted to visit New Zealand; it was a dream. I used to watch David Attenborough’s nature shows when he visited New Zealand, and I was absolutely in love with the beauty of nature and scenery here. I had no idea about the extent of the New Zealand wine industry or the influence of Croatians throughout the history of viticulture and winemaking in New Zealand. I was looking at some seasonal vintage jobs in Australia when I came across some adverts about wine jobs in New Zealand and I applied and ended up in New Zealand in March 2012. It was a crazy journey!

In New Zealand, there are very different experiences than in the wine industry in Croatia. There are a few bigger vineyards in Croatia but most of them are really small vineyards on the islands, around the coast, Istria, etc. Some rough terrain, lots done by hand and very traditional European winemaking. There are lots of Indigenous old grape varieties with unique expressions. As opposed to very modern New World viticulture and winemaking techniques. 

You worked as a consultant winemaker for Liberty Wines in the South of France. How did that experience shape your winemaking philosophy and skills?

This was such a wonderful experience and so valuable to learn about different grape varieties and how they shape into wine with slight variations. It was great meeting and working with other winemakers there and sharing experiences on winemaking culture, growing grapes, viticulture, etc. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to spend a couple of months there and be a part of it. It definitely opened my horizons and gave me a way of thinking about how some winemaking practices can influence the final profile of wine. I totally recommend winemakers embrace an opportunity like this if they have a chance. 

Congratulations on your 2022 Pinot Noir winning the Master Medal at the Global Masters Pinot Noir 2024 awards by the Drinks Business. What was your reaction to this achievement, and how do you feel it reflects on your brand as a relatively new player in the market?

I am incredibly proud of this wine as a small new wine brand trying to build brand awareness globally in such a competitive environment. This recognition is huge! It gives you more credibility to stand alongside some highly recognised brands out there. 2022 had been a challenging vintage in Marlborough, especially for Pinot Noir, so receiving this accolade in such a tough year in terms of winemaking is truly humbling for me and gives me more confidence as a winemaker when making some crucial decisions in such challenging times. 

This was the only New Zealand Pinot Noir that received the highest accolade in 2024 at the Global Masters Pinot Noir competition. I’m over the moon and so proud of this achievement! 

In a competitive market, how do you differentiate the Eva Pemper brand? Can you elaborate on your marketing strategy and unique selling points?

When creating this brand, I knew from the beginning that continuing my family legacy was very important to me and that had to be the core of the brand. I guess the main UPS is the personality and feel of the brand and the person behind the brand; it is easy for the consumer to connect with and share the stories and resonate with them.

A big part of differentiating the brand is Croatia as the piece of the story which always lights people up and is another uniqueness to the brand. Having my family’s logo for our wine in Croatia as the core of the Eva Pemper label is a super special storytelling element that is one of the key points of my marketing strategy. 

Being an all-in-one brand—the winemaker, the person behind the brand and the storyteller—has been the key to getting wine lovers interested and giving them a reason to delve more deeply into the brand and the wines. 

Your background includes overcoming challenges like the war in Croatia and launching a brand during the COVID-19 pandemic. How has this resilience shaped you as a winemaker and entrepreneur?

I think these events have really played a key part in the journey of Eva Pemper Wines as a business and also personally as an entrepreneur and a winemaker. No matter how hard it is, I just get up and go and do the best I can that day. When I encounter challenges for example, in the vineyard or winery, I really try not to dwell too much on them, and I am trying to find ways to solve the problem and adjust quickly. 

Flexibility is the key to overcoming challenges and finding solutions quickly. This has proven to be very important, especially now in 2024, when it has been very challenging to run a wine business. The economic environment is very tough, and you have to be very resilient and not give up. I think my positive outlook on life and positive attitude have actually been products of these hardships and being able to see the positives more than the negatives; hence, I rarely lack motivation or enthusiasm for what I do.

You've mentioned a commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention in your winemaking. How do these principles align with your overall brand vision, and how do you implement them in practice?

As a winemaker, my vision is to allow the grapes and the vineyards to speak for themselves through the wine and to intervene as little as possible while crafting a delicious drop that represents a certain place in time. My winemaking style is very simple. I try to make approachable wines that are easy to drink and can be enjoyed on any occasion, while at the same time being delicious, fresh, and elegant. 

Sustainable environmental practices are a very important part of Eva Pemper Wines, and they have always been one of the key focus areas in all the processes undertaken through the winemaking journey. It is an integral part of continuous improvement. 

Environmental sustainability (kaitiakitanga, Maori), meaning guardianship and protection of the land, aligns very closely with our brand values and the vision to leave a legacy for future generations. 

I also look at sustainability as cultural sustainability, which is about people and the value of the region, so supporting local businesses is crucial to achieving a great and desired level of sustainability overall. 

When making a decision on the best strategic partner, a supplier and business that invests in sustainability and monitors the impacts are preferred, as are local businesses. In terms of vineyards and grape supply, we only source grapes from Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand certified vineyards, which ensures that the grape growers adhere to standards and guidelines for implementing only sustainable practices in the vineyard. 

During the winemaking process, I try to intervene as little as possible in making vegan and vegetarian wines, free of fining. One crucial sustainability improvement being implemented to reduce carbon footprints is moving to lightweight bottles with all the wines made in 2024 and also to a fully recyclable cap. 

Looking to the future, you've expressed interest in expanding your portfolio to include wines from other New Zealand regions and potentially sparkling wine. Can you share more about your vision for the Eva Pemper brand over the next 5–10 years?

“Eva Pemper” brand’s portfolio consists of a Single Vineyard Chardonnay, a Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, a Single Vineyard Pinot Noir and a Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé. 

My dream is to showcase the best of each wine region in New Zealand. This could include wines like Central Otago Pinot Noir or Hawke’s Bay Syrah. 

Another dream project is to release a wine I would make in Croatia from an indigenous Croatian variety under my brand. That would be amazing! And to also resurrect my family’s little winery and cellar door in central Croatia, to have my New Zealand wines available there as well as the Croatian wines and to also showcase and support some of the other Croatian wineries and winemakers too. 

I am particularly passionate about and intrigued by the world of sparkling wine. I am hoping to one day introduce a beautiful bubbly to the “Eva Pemper” brand as well.

Thank you, Eva, for sharing your remarkable journey with us.

Did you miss last week’s newsletter? We highlighted winemakers with vision—the pioneering spirits shaping the future of winemaking. Read!

Until next Tuesday, keep your glass full and your taste buds curious.