New In The Job

...in the wine industry.

What’s the appointment? Jack Glover has been appointed as global sales manager for the Mud House Wine Group.

Think I might have heard of them. They’re in Marlborough, right? So you should have,, considering they’ve won awards since they were established in 1996 – most recently for their Sauvignon Blanc. The Kiwi winemaking company has two wineries: one in Marlborough and one in the Waipara Valley. They own both the Mud House and Waipara Hills brands.

Where was he before he joined Mud House? At Pernod Ricard, as their on premise national trading manager.

So how does one get into a career in winemaking? There are no doubt many ways. But Mr Glover took a course in winemaking at Lincoln University before shifting his focus to wine marketing – completing a Bachelor of Wine Marketing degree in Adelaide.

So why wine? His family planted grapes in Marlborough back in 1985 – one of the early families to do so, in fact – so he has been bought up in and around vineyards and wine. “This naturally cultured a passion for wine and led to my education and career choices further down the track.  Wine has the ability to bring friends and family together much like food does – that is the main reason I love wine.”

And then? Then he worked in various different roles for St Hallett and Tatachilla and a vintage in Napa before returning to New Zealand in 2006.

Why’d he do that, then? To take up a role in wine education role with Pernod Ricard.

What is “wine education” exactly? According to Mr Glover, it was “an ambassadorial role dealing with the fine wine and spirit accounts in Wellington.” You could say his wine judging experience suited a career in educating others about what makes good wine. But it wasn’t long – just two months – before Mr Glover was promoted into sales management roles. He says he enjoys managing people.

You said his role at Mud House was global? Yes, yes I did. Given the company exports globally, it has to be. If you’re Australian, Canadian or living in the UK, EU, Asia or the United States, you should be able to buy their wine.

How’s Mr Glover feeling about his new job? He says he’s “hugely excited”, and looking forward to increasing Mud House’s profile on the world stage.

Quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle? Nope, no relation to that Denis Glover.