The Story

In Pace with Nature
Marlborough, New Zealand

Reverence for harmony & connection

Organically grown with a deep reverence for tradition, our wines embody a respect for heritage—for the land that shapes us, the values that guide us, and the relationships we’ve carefully nurtured over time.

Inspired by the revered Huia bird—a sacred Māori symbol of honour and partnership. Each feather symbolised status and significance, a gift embodying the deepest respect. In the same spirit, each wine is crafted with deep care and integrity. Our winemaking is thoughtful, unhurried, and driven by a pursuit of purity and balance.

Respect for past & present

Behind the elegance of Huia wines lies a story deeply rooted in two generations of care, beginning with Claire and Mike Allan’s legacy in 1994. Their vision brought together organic farming, thoughtful winemaking, and a deep respect for our place. A purpose-driven succession to Tom Pegler in 2022 was born from a shared belief in championing the craft of small-scale artisan winemaking.

Remembering A Lost Treasure

To Māori, the Huia bird is regarded as taonga (meaning treasure) — cherished for its cultural significance and connection to place. In the wild, male and female Huia worked together, each playing a role that helped the other survive — a natural expression of balance and interdependence. Their feathers were reserved for chiefs and worn on significant occasions, symbolising reverence, leadership, and remembrance. After the arrival of European settlers, the Huia was lost — its absence reminding us of the fragility of what we value most.

By remembering the Huia, we honour the need to protect biodiversity and care for the ecosystems that sustain us. We place the Huia on every label as a symbol of this reverence—a daily reminder of the values that guide us. Its legacy lives on in our name, and in our commitment to tread thoughtfully, with respect for all that nature gives.

A new chapter

Following a diverse career that began with studying food science—where wine was one among many foods and drinks explored—Tom’s path led him to winemaking in Marlborough. There, he helped craft some of the region’s most recognised labels. Yet he held a quiet belief: that wine made on an industrial scale was not the best expression of Marlborough. That search would find its home at Huia Vineyards, a place already shaped by the principles he believed in.

"Handcrafted winemaking was something I wanted to protect, and I’m proud of how Huia has stayed true to that tradition”, Tom Pegler.