Denis has a lifelong love of the land. He grew up in the Rangitikei where he farmed for many years before entering Parliament in 1984. He represented Rangitikei for 15 years and during his time in the National Government he was for 6 years as an Associate Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for horticulture, 5 years Minister of Conservation and for 3 years Minister of Lands. These responsibilities enabled him to gain a real insight into and understanding of the often sensitive issues of conservation and land use. In 2000 he was the Founding Chairman of the NZ National Parks & Conservation Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to raising funds from individuals, businesses, and the community to support conservation projects throughout New Zealand. Over $2m has been donated to a wide range of projects since the Foundation was established. Denis loves the wide-open spaces, the lakes, mountains and bush of the South Island, and in 1995 he purchased the land in the Gibbston Valley, which was to become the Hawkshead Vineyard. The first Pinot Noir vines were planted in 2001, and a second block was planted in 2003. In 2005 he and his partner Ulrike Kurenbach established the Hawkshead Vineyard Partnership. The focus is on careful land use and soil management, with minimum interference with nature. Ulrike appreciated wine from an early age. She grew up in the Rhineland, one of Germany's wine regions. Ulrike studied Food Technology and has worked in the hospitality industry. She has also studied Art and Design. Ulrike firmly believes food, wine and art complement each other. They all require creativity to flourish. On her arrival in New Zealand Ulrike became actively involved in promoting New Zealand food and wine at culinary fairs in Europe. During that time she also appreciated being in the judging panel of the Taste New Zealand Awards. Denis and Ulrike are fully immersed in all aspects of the vineyard and oversee the viticultural operations.