Sue Davies, owner, Wine 2 Trade, Wellington

Born, Bred, Schooled

Born in Scotland was an Air Force Brat so trotted / schooled in various places around the world before finishing in Cambridge (UK).

First wine industry job

Villa Maria (where I think half of the NZ wine industry have come via) - have fantastic long term ties with the ‘after VM' and still ‘with VM' employees!

First real (full time) job (outside of school/uni holidays)

Working at East Anglia Regional Health Board on the research side - I was the typist ...

Career Highlight

Getting into the wine industry - instead of being on the outside looking in!

Mentor/Influencer

On holiday with my parents at a tender age of 14 and trying various Rieslings in the Mosel region - if I could only drink one grape variety this would be it - oh and George / Villa Maria for my NZ influence.

Cat? Dog?

Many past various horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, chickens (do they count) and Priscilla the pig in my life time - at present we are without.

Desert island wine and food

Have to take some Rieslings from NZ and Mosel - and a large selection of cheeses.

Dinner table companions, dead or alive

My parents - lost my dad in my teens so would like to know him from an adult's perspective and my mum who was a great friend as well. It would be nice for them to meet Raymond - my partner. I think dad would appreciate Raymond's warped humour! Oh and a special guest for Raymond - Captain James T Kirk of Star Trek.

Greatest achievement

Being given a Commodore 3 litre car by Villa Maria and told ‘go north' (from Auckland) - after 6 months I realised I could really sell and loved being ‘paid' to travel in such a beautiful area!

New Zealand wine industry needs...

Believe in the wonderful quality of wine that we produce and that we do not have to sell our souls to put it into people's mouths. "Stack ‘em high and watch ‘em fly" is not the greatest mentality..