Dan Manuge, Viticulturist, Sea Level Wines, Tasman Region

Born, Bred, Schooled:

Born Christchurch, Grew up in North Canterbury then schooled in Marlborough.

First wine industry job – year:

About 2001 started working for Guy Lissaman in school holidays.

First real (full time) job (outside of school/uni holidays):

Sherwood Estate Wines Waipara after finishing 7th form.

Career Highlight:

Placing 2nd in my first Marlborough Young Vit after getting a late entry the day before the competition.   

Cat? Dog?

Dog named Cash.

Desert island wine and food:

Panang Curry with crispy pork belly and a Magnum of Dom Perignon.

Mentor/Influencer:

Too many, Bart Arnst, Petter Evans, Mark Partington, Matt Elrick, Jeremy Hyland in no particular order.

Dinner table companions, dead or alive…

Ricky Gervais, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Emma Stone.

Greatest achievement…

Crossing the Richmond Range on foot from Blenheim to Nelson in 3 days.

New Zealand wine industry needs…

More females.

If you weren’t working in the wine industry, what would you be doing?

Probably self employed, making money.

One thing about you people might be surprised to learn?

I used to play computer games competitively, our team was ranked 4th in Australasia tournaments for 2 years, then I got too busy with work and study.

If you had the day off tomorrow what would you like to do:

Spend a peaceful day at the gun range shooting paper targets.

Connections:

Twitter:         @danmanuge            
Web:            http://www.sealevelwines.co.nz/

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