The Story
– The Story
– The People
– The Vineyards
Eaton Wines was established in 2014 after the
families departure from the TerraVin brand which
they had established in 1999.
Mikes involvement in the New Zealand wine
industry goes right back to 1981 when Marlborough
was just beginning its surge onto the international
wines scene. Along with his wife Jo, Mike
established some of New Zealand’s most renowned
Pinot Noir vineyards (Clayvin, Clay Hills, Outpost,
Calrossie) and the TerraVin wine brand.
Consulting to over 1500ha Mike manages the
nutrition and disease programs for premium
growers throughout Marlborough and Nelson.
From among these growers, Mike selects small
parcels from exceptional sites and makes wines in
small batches to best reflect their unique
characteristics.
These selected areas are hand-tended by Mike and
his two sons Harrison and Blake.
– The Story
– The People
– The Vineyards
The People

Mike and Jo Eaton
Mike started his career in the vineyards at 16 years old as a laborer, pruning grapevines in 1981. By 1985 he was employing 60 people and maintaining vineyards for new companies like Cloudy Bay, Hunters, and Allan Scott.
After returning home in 1990 from 6 months
working in France, he bought a parcel of the north-facing hillside, met Jo and got married and
together they developed Marlborough’s first
commercial Pinot Noir hillside vineyard, Clayvin.
Living in a shed, driving every post by hand and enjoying the work that they did on our own small vineyard. Clayvin sold to British Wine merchants Lay and Wheeler and George Fromm in 1998.
In 1999 Mike and Jo together developed the Eaton Family Vineyard and TerraVin wines.
Mike has worked vintages in Sancerre, Burgundy and the Jura learning from some of the most provocative winemakers.
In 2016 Mike started Eaton Crop Care, developing specialised nutrition and disease management programs. He now consults to over 1500ha of vineyards throughout New Zealand.
Harrison Eaton
Harrison was born on the Clayvin vineyard and grew up with a passion for the vineyard and winemaking.
Harrison spent several years working in local
vineyards before spending time in Auckland city
working for a major wine retailer.
In 2016 Harrison returned to Marlborough to spend a vintage as a Cellar hand at Giesen Wines. Afterwhich he took a role in the Giesen Wines Organic program which included Clayvin Vineyard.
Harrison now works in the family business and
heads the NZ sales and assists in all aspects of
Winemaking and Viticulture.
In addition, he has begun making some small-batch inspirational “low-fi” wines under the Mélange brand.


Blake Eaton
Blake has spent the past 2 years working in
the family business and assisting in the nutrition
programs and grower relationships.
He manages research trials for organic biological
alternatives for disease management and nutrition.
Blake is also responsible for the Research and
Development for our clients, working closely with our suppliers establishing trials to replace pesticides and fungicides in our vineyard programs with biological alternatives.