OUR STORY
Mahi, meaning “our work, our craft”, began in 2001 as the realisation of a dream for Brian and Nicola Bicknell – to create wines that tell the story of Marlborough through its vineyards.
Long before single-vineyard wines became commonplace, Brian recognised that Marlborough was far more than one style of Sauvignon Blanc. Each valley, each site, and each season had its own distinct personality. Mahi was founded on the belief that these differences deserved to be celebrated, not blended away.
Today, that belief continues to guide everything we do.
Working with a carefully selected collection of exceptional vineyard sites across Marlborough, we craft wines that reflect the character of where they are grown. From the organically managed Byrne Vineyard, where Mahi began, to our long-standing relationships with growers throughout the Wairau Valley, every wine is a reflection of place.
Our approach in the winery is deliberately hands-off. Fruit is hand-picked where possible, indigenous yeasts carry out fermentation, and gentle winemaking techniques allow each vineyard to express itself naturally. Rather than imposing a style, we aim to guide the wines through the process, allowing texture, balance and complexity to emerge.
Since the first vintage in 2001, Mahi has grown thoughtfully while remaining true to its founding vision. Owning our own winery has allowed complete control over every stage of the winemaking process, but our focus remains unchanged: to create wines with authenticity, integrity and a genuine sense of place.
More than two decades on, Mahi continues to explore and celebrate the remarkable diversity of Marlborough — one vineyard, one wine and one vintage at a time.