At Giesen, we believe that people bring wine to life. Family-owned, our team are passionate about creating great wines for you to enjoy.
Antony Bell Company Viticulturalist
University and school holidays spent working on Central Otago vineyards created a lifelong love of viticulture which Antony Bell now practises as Giesen’s Company Viticulturalist.
Antony leads Giesen’s viticultural team, which means he helps to ensure every bottle of Giesen Wine is delicious, by ensuring it’s made with premium quality fruit.
Giesen has amazing vineyards such as the legendary high-density organic Clayvin and Ridge Block sites, as well as 11 other vineyards across Marlborough. The team also have long-standing relationships with more than 40 of Marlborough’s most established growers, and even further afield with growers in Hawke’s Bay and Waipara. It’s all of these vineyards which Antony and his team manage, liaising with vineyard staff and owners to ensure they grow fruit which meets the flavour requirements for Giesen’s much-loved range of wines.
While growing up in Dunedin, Antony’s parents had a share in a stonefruit orchard on Bannockburn’s legendary Felton Road. Working there in the holidays ignited his love of horticulture and lead to him attend Lincoln University, where he completed a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology.
Antony worked for the same local Central Otago contractor after university, giving him the base skills that saw him move into roles such as National Grower Manager for Matua Wines.
Antony joined Giesen Group in 2019 and says he enjoys being part of a family-owned business. “It’s wonderful being part of family-run business where you have relationships with the owners and you feel like you’re part of a close-knit team.” He says everyone from long-term growers, to viticultural and winemaking teams and support staff all have hand in contributing to the company, ensuring it’s a busy and enjoyable place to work.
Antony has been a Marlborough local since 2008 and loves taking advantage of the region’s environment and the opportunities it offers for outdoor activity. He and his young family live on a lifestyle block where they run a small number of sheep and grow fruit trees. Although the property is less than a kilometre from the Wairau River, Antony is finding less time for his beloved flying fishing these days, choosing instead to spend more time with his growing children and imbue them with a love of growing things.