OUR TEAM
Our people are the biggest and most crucial asset of our business. Without them, we would not have achieved the success we have today. Every member of our team plays a vital role in creating and sustaining the business we have built, and we view them as an extension of our own family. We are proud to have a strong and dedicated group of individuals who share our values and contribute to the continued growth and success of our business.
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Kerina Poulter - Matriarch
Kerina is the matriarch of the family and a talented sprinter in her youth — a fitting background for someone whose work is defined by speed. While her children have since moved out of home, she remains deeply involved in the business with a particular focus on the produce side. Kerina oversees the timely movement of fresh containers to site, manages customs and MPI formalities, and works closely with shipping partner Maersk to keep shipments on track and delays at bay. Her diligence and hands-on approach are invaluable to the fresh business, where efficiency and quick turnaround aren't just important — they're everything.
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Steve Poulter - Director
Steve is an entrepreneur with an unmatched work ethic — equally at home stacking pallets with the Fresh Team at 3am or operating a tractor in the vineyard. Despite his relentless pace, Steve genuinely loves what he does and is known for the deep value he places on his people. When earthquakes struck Tonga, he was determined to provide as much aid as possible to staff, family, and friends affected. Steve has built his business on relationships, some spanning over 30 years, and is a firm believer in making things happen. It's a work ethic that started young — and one he's clearly passing on to the next generation.
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Alexis Poulter - Chief Executive Officer
Alexis, the eldest child in the family, is a mother of three and CEO of the business — and a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court. She began her career in wine sampling and supermarket merchandising before working her way through virtually every area of the business, from picking orders and accounts to sales, HR, customs, freight forwarding, quality control, and health and safety. Her qualifications are extensive — Advanced HACCP, Transitional Facility Operator, Customs Broker, and a Masters of Law completed while working full time. Beyond the boardroom, Alexis is an accomplished surfer with over ten national titles to her name and is currently completing her WSET Level 4 Diploma.
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Ben Poulter - Head of Viticulture
Ben is your classic viticulturist, devoting most of his time to the vineyards. Despite his youth, he brings a wealth of experience — starting his career in fresh produce, managing a large imported fruit programme, and working across sales before finding his home in viticulture. As the liaison between the business and the majority of growers, Ben is highly regarded for his genuine care and passion for their success. He is known for being approachable, easy to work with, and deeply committed to the people he works with. Outside of work, Ben is an accomplished athlete and former competitive surfer, having achieved an impressive 6th place at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships.
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Nick Picone - Chief Winemaker
Nick joined Sacred Hill in 2022 following a long and distinguished career with Villa Maria Estate. Throughout his career he has received numerous winemaking accolades — in 2012 he was honoured with The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year title, awarded to Australasia's top young winemaker, becoming the first New Zealander to receive the prestigious honour. Between 2011 and 2020, Nick was named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year or Winemaker of the Show on ten separate occasions, making him one of Australasia's most decorated winemakers. His passion — particularly for Chardonnay — sits in perfect alignment with Sacred Hill's ambition to cement Rifleman's Vineyard among the finest in the country. Nick is a hugely valued member of our team and our family.
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Saimone Fatai - Group Operations Manager
Saimone is widely acclaimed as the best ripener in the Southern Hemisphere — and his work ethic rivals anyone in the business. He is responsible for ensuring the delivery of perfectly ripened yellow bananas every day of the year, alongside overseeing all fresh produce lines, warehousing, distribution, and logistics. Beyond produce, Saimone's reach spans the entire business — he led the setup and commissioning of the bottling plant, supports vineyard operations, and looks after a large and diverse team. His ability to make things happen fast and his relentless pursuit of excellence are central to the company's success. More than a valued team member, Saimone is family — and we're incredibly lucky to have him at the heart of everything we do.
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Sam Poulter - Head of Manufacturing & Sales
Sam, the youngest of the Poulter children, is a skilled salesman who is perhaps the brightest of the bunch — and he'll be the first to tell you. After two years studying in China, he is fluent in Mandarin, and his exceptional grasp of numbers makes him a natural fit for overseeing wine production and managing local sales. From designing labels to selling the famous Rifleman's Chardonnay, Sam is across every aspect of the process. His deep understanding of the market and keen analytical mind allow him to consistently identify opportunities to streamline and reduce costs without compromising quality. Growing up tagging along to surfing competitions, Sam caught the bug himself — and even took home the New Zealand Junior Longboard title.
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Rossie Wang - CFO
In a growing business, a great CFO is everything — and Rossie is exactly that. With 13 years alongside the team, her experience spans New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong, and Macau across industries including multinational corporations, wholesale and distribution, manufacturing, construction, IT, and education. That breadth of knowledge has added enormous value to the business. Rossie has a talent for cutting through complexity and resolving problems quickly — an invaluable asset in a fast-moving operation. Her willingness to help anyone who needs it and her genuine heart for the business make her as much a part of the family as she is a cornerstone of its success. We would not be where we are today without her.
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Larissa - Winery Manager
Larissa is an integral member of the team and a mother of one whose commitment and diligence is evident to anyone who meets her. With a degree in Viticulture and Wine Science from EIT Hawke's Bay and hands-on experience spanning vineyard operations and winery vintages across Australia, Austria, and New Zealand, she brings exceptional breadth to her role. Larissa's expertise extends from the vineyard and lab through to sales and export management, and her ability to solve problems and drive results is invaluable in a growing business. She also plays a key role in nurturing relationships with export customers. As one of the youngest Winery Managers in the country, we are very excited about what lies ahead.
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Jordan Robinson - Winemaker
Jordan is a vital part of the winemaking team, known for her hard work, high standards, and ability to bring out the best in those around her. Originally from California's Central Coast, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Wine and Viticulture in 2017 before embarking on a career that has taken her through vintages in California, Oregon, Burgundy, Australia, and both islands of New Zealand. She is also a respected Associate and Senior Judge on the New Zealand wine show circuit. Since joining Poulter Family Wines in 2022, Jordan has made sunny Hawke's Bay home. Outside of work she can be found hiking, baking, tending to her garden, and enjoying a glass of wine with friends and family.
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Tim McClure - Chief Commercial Officer
In late 2025, Tim joined the Poulter Group as Chief Commercial Officer. While a recent addition to the executive team, Tim's relationship with the Poulter family spans over ten years, during which he held executive level roles within the New Zealand wine industry. In his current capacity, Tim oversees all commercial and market engagement activities, focusing on scaling the business during this exciting new chapter.
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Andrew Keaney- Group Strategy & Business Development
With over 35 years of leadership in the fresh produce industry, Andrew brings an unparalleled depth of expertise to the Poulter Group. Having held executive roles at industry giants including T&G Global, Freshmax, Foodstuffs, and Chiquita, he now serves as a strategic cornerstone for the wider team. Andrew leverages his extensive commercial acumen to drive diverse projects and provide high-level mentorship across the group's portfolio.
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