Our People
We have a close-knit team with one common focus, creating outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the old world and the new.
David Hall-Jones
Owner
David was fiercely proud of his southern roots. He grew up in Southland, and enjoyed his summer and winter holidays in the lakes and mountains of Fiordland and Central Otago.
PM Hall-Jones
Owner
PM is passionate about wine, particularly the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from Burgundy. The effects of climate and terroir on vines intrigues her and she enjoys digging around the soils of the Domaine Thomson vineyards. Gardening is another passion, as is matching food and wine, be this Pinot Noir with tuna sushi, Pauillac with roast lamb, or Riesling with a salmon terrine. She is always on the hunt for new flavours and combinations for food and wine (including sake). She loves rummaging in the markets of Central Otago, Hong Kong, Tokyo and les Halles de Dijon.
Dean Shaw
Winemaker
Our wines are created by Dean Shaw of The Central Otago Wine Company. Dean is an extremely talented character with a post graduate degree in Viticulture and Wine Science. Dean’s approach as our winemaker is a natural one. He prefers to intervene with the wine as little as possible, using wild yeasts. His ‘hands off’ approach enables the wine to reflect the character of the vineyard it comes from as faithfully as possible, and ensures individuality and excellence. Dean has made all of our New Zealand wines, starting in vintage 2003 and knows our vineyard pretty well!
Armand Heitz
Winemaker, France
Our other French wines are produced by Armand. He is a young and talented winemaker who runs the family estate, Domaine Heitz-Lochardet, based in Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy. The history of the family domaine dates from 1857. In 2011, Armand completed his oenology diploma from Changins in Switzerland and took over the family domaine. The Domaine covers a large range of beautiful parcels from Beaune to Chassagne-Montrachet, and includes some famous lieu-dits such as Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens, and Meursault 1er les Perrières. The Domaine also has a monopole, Pommard 1er Clos des Poutures. Like Dean and Gerard, Armand’s philosophy is that the best wine is made in the vineyard and his approach is to let the wine and the terroir speak for itself.
Gerard Quivy
Winemaker, France
Gerard makes our Gevrey Chambertin wines. Like PM and David, Gerard comes from a legal background. He found his way to wine through love of the vine. Gerard and Christine Quivy have their domaine based in a beautiful 18th Century home and cellars in the heart of Gevrey-Chambertin, next to the Mairie at 7, rue Gaston Roupnel. They have a number of fine vineyards including Charmes- Chambertin Grand Cru, Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru and les Corbeaux 1er Cru. These wines are marketed under Domaine Quivy.
Claudio Heye
General Manager & Sales
Born in the USA, grew up in Brazil, went to college in Switzerland, worked in Singapore and for the last 20+ years has been living in Queenstown and working in the growing Central Otago wine industry. When not travelling the world on sales trips, trade exhibitions and tastings – and generally eating and drinking well – he enjoys spending time in the hills either skiing or on the mountain bike. This is penance for all the great eating and drinking, of course!
Hilary Jenkins
Marketing & Events
Hilary wears a few hats at Domaine Thomson; cellar door host, social media creator, newsletter writer and Events Coordinator . Hilary has a background in journalism, business, tourism and events. If you are wanting Domaine Thomson to host an event then Hilary is the person to talk to. She loves living in the land of endless skies and when not working at the cellar door likes to bike, walk and go boating. On a more community based side Hilary is Cromwell's representative on COGS (Central Otago Grants Scheme) and is on the Arts Central Committee.