Our People
The people with the passion to make Thyme Hill special
Inge Diks
Grape Grower & Owner
Inge has a pioneering spirit and is naturally drawn to challenges with high rewards. In 1991 she emigrated from the Netherlands to the South Island and took up dairy farming on the West Coast. After 20 years of the wild and beautiful elements and challenges of West Coast living, Inge decided it was time for a new challenge and moved from the wettest part of the country to the driest! She now earns her crust producing quality Merlot grapes on her vineyard on the outskirts of Alexandra, and has earned herself a reputation of a 'someone who gets things done', among the vineyard community.
Grape growing appeals to Inge as it is a great balance of science, hard graft, grape husbandry and problem solving. The weather and climate is certainly a challenge but is arguable the most crucial aspect of winegrowing system. Four seasons in one day is certainly possible at any time of the year! In the setting of Central Otago grape growing is a choice for style of life, growing boutique niches among the towering southern mountains and vast river valleys. True job satisfaction is achieved through seeing your vines come to fruition, from bud burst through to harvest and onwards through the wine-making process to the enjoyment of an authentic end product.
(+64)0277554006
Antony Worch
Winemaker - Alexandra Vintners
Coming from Alsace (France), Antony and his partner Marion arrived in Central Otago in 2005 to make wine at Peregrine and Marion for William Hill, eventually being involved in the contract winemaker role for a number of winegrowers in the area. Despite the receivership, Antony managed to use the William Hill facilities for the 2010 vintage before moving into the new Alexandra Vintners property in Success Street. Antony is assisted by a multi national team including assistant winemaker Pierre Wiese from South Africa.
Antony’s winemaking approach is for elegance with textures and wines that are complementary with food, essentially what he was brought up with in Alsace.
Ben Towner
Sales Manager
Ben is passionate about all things wine, from vineyard to winery to hospitality. Seven years ago he fell in love with Central Otago and settled in Wanaka. Ben is well qualified and is very enthusiastic about boutique wines.
(+64)022 393 8399