James Leary
Owner/Founder & Managing Director

Growing up, James’ father owned Northland’s famous Kingfisher Lodge. Summer days were spent fishing and evenings spent enjoying a wine or two with lodge guests.

A treasury asset manager in his early days, James fell into the wine industry after investing in a vineyard project in Marlborough’s Ward Valley in 2008 just before moving to the UK. There, his day job was working in London’s financial district, but weekends were spent moonlighting selling New Zealand wines at festivals across the UK as ‘The Antipodean Sommelier’.

By 2011 ‘The Antipodean Sommelier’ wine business had spiraled into a full-time gig & the vineyard’s first vintage was ready to be bottled, so James created and launched the ‘Snapper Rock’ wine brand into the UK, naming the wine after his Dad’s favourite (secret) fishing spot. He moved back to New Zealand in 2015 to be closer to the vineyard & production side of the business, and more importantly, to start a family.

Within the business, James’ main focus is production management, overseeing the vineyard and looking after export sales.

Tim Boyd-White
Co-Owner / Market Manager for New Zealand and Australia

After completing an International Business degree, Tim looked for a job in an export focused NZ business. The wine trade seemed like a good place to start, so Tim’s first job out of Uni was working for George Fistonich at Villa Maria Estate. Starting out as a business analyst, he worked his way into key account management and latterly working as the UK/Europe market manager.

After 10 years working for Villa Maria and keen for a new challenge, Tim joined forces with James at the Antipodean Sommelier as a minority shareholder with the remit to launch the business into the New Zealand and Australian markets.

Having completed WSET Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits in London & supervised many of our Ward Valley vineyards’ harvests, Tim knows it takes plenty of good beer to make great wine.

Liam Bass
Commercial Operations Executive

Liam brings his wealth of hospitality sector experience and his four years Uni study in Accounting & Business Information Systems to the A.S Wines team.

Liam manages our website sales and online presence as well as making sure all our domestic customers get their wine delivered on-time and in perfect condition.

Hailing from the Bay of Plenty’s idyllic Papamoa Beach, Liam knows how to mix a cocktail - and has also been know to mix a tune or two behind the decks.

Corey Hall
Consultant Group Winemaker

Corey grew up around the beaches, orchards and vineyards of West Auckland. After gaining a BSC at the University of Auckland Corey went on to the University of Adelaide and gained a Graduate Diploma in Oneology. Corey has worked as a winemaker in Australia, France, California and in New Zealand at Matua Valley Wines (where he worked for 10 years, rising to the position of Chief Winemaker).

In addition to winemaking, Corey spends time judging both in NZ and Australia. He has spoken regularly on sponsored radio shows and has been promoted by his peers to the position of Senior Judge, judging at the New Zealand International Wine Show and has been Senior Judge and Panel Chair at the Australian Small Winemakers Show.

A key member of the A.S. Wines team, Cory brings his impeccable palate, exceptional winemaking skills and above-average banter to the mix.