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Wine deal secures Olympic Games spot for Marlborough

Ian Allen, Stuff | January 26, 2024

Indevin founder Duncan McFarlane is thrilled the company is the official wine supplier of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.ANTHONY PHELPS / STUFF
Indevin founder Duncan McFarlane is thrilled the company is the official wine supplier of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
ANTHONY PHELPS / STUFF

Marlborough will be well-represented at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Indevin Group has announced it will be the official wine supplier of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

Indevin will provide its Villa Maria wines at all NZOC events around the globe, including those hosted at New Zealand House in Paris during the Olympic Games.

Indevin was started by Marlborough man Duncan McFarlane in 2003. In 20 years, it has grown to become New Zealand’s largest wine company, with its 15 Valley winery – the company’s largest – at Cloudy Bay, south of Blenheim. Today, it is mostly owned by Blenheim’s Greg Tomlinson and his Tomlinson Group.

Indevin bought the Villa Maria brand, with its connections to Marlborough dating back to the 1980s, in 2021.

McFarlane, who plans to retire as chief executive of Indevin this year, said the company was thrilled with its partnership with the NZOC.

“This is the pinnacle event for New Zealand’s athletes and an opportunity for all New Zealanders to support the hard work and success of our team … we’re honoured to have Villa Maria contribute to the celebrations as our incredible athletes compete on the world stage.”

McFarlane said Indevin and the NZOC were the perfect pairing.

“We share NZOC’s ambition to deliver meaningful impact both within our own teams, and in the communities within which we live, work and play.

“As the official wine supplier of the NZOC, we look forward to raising a glass of Villa Maria to the success of New Zealand athletes and contributing to the vibrant spirit of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Dressage rider Melissa Galloway and her horse Joey have been back home in Tuamarina for the past year.ANTHONY PHELPS / STUFF
Dressage rider Melissa Galloway and her horse Joey have been back home in Tuamarina for the past year.
ANTHONY PHELPS / STUFF

One of those athletes could well be Tuamarina dressage rider Melissa Galloway, who had done “everything” she needed to reach the qualifying standard for this year’s Olympic Games.

NZOC chief executive Nicki Nicol said the NZOC was proud to welcome Indevin as an official supplier.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Indevin to our Olympic family at a really exciting time,” Nicol said.

“Indevin is known for excellence in winemaking, and at the NZOC, excellence is what we stand for, so there’s a really nice synergy between our brands and we look forward to promoting and showcasing their fantastic locally-made products.”

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