Amisfield announces new CEO

Amisfield Wine Company has announced Craig Erasmus as its new chief executive, a role he will begin in this week.

Amisfield chairman David Hogg said Mr Erasmus was the "perfect candidate" to lead the tight-knit team and high-profile brand.

Born in South Africa, with his great-great-grandparents hailing from the Coromandel, Mr Erasmus has spent the past seven years working for Wither Hills in Marlborough, Vavasour and Foley Family Wines, with his work ranging from cellar hand to chief operating officer.

After qualifying as a chartered accountant, Mr Erasmus spent six years in London working in a variety of corporate development roles.

During his travels to wine regions in Europe and North and South America, Mr Erasmus kindled a passion for wine, particularly wines from cool-climate regions.

After a "three-month odyssey" around New Zealand in 1999, he became convinced it was the place he wanted to call home.

In 2004, Mr Erasmus and his wife completed a postgraduate diploma in viticulture and oenology at Lincoln University.

He has spent the past three years developing Vavasour Wines and Foley Family Wines' business and brand portfolios, both here and overseas.