Kate Radburnd
Kate Radburnd is one of New Zealand's most respected winemakers, with over 40 vintages, she has produced premium wines across a range of varietals and wine styles achieving gold medals and trophies around the world.
Kate came to New Zealand after graduating from Roseworthy Agricultural College, South Australia in 1983. Her first job was at Vidal in Hawke's Bay, where she spent seven years winemaking and fell in love with New Zealand cool climate wine.
In 1991 she joined Pask Winery as Head Winemaker. During her acclaimed 26-year tenure, Kate became joint owner and Managing Director, before leaving to launch Radburnd Cellars in 2017.
A highly regarded ambassador for New Zealand wine, Kate has served as a senior judge at national and international wine competitions, including a 10-year tenure as Chair of Judges for the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, New Zealand’s oldest national wine competition.
Kate has been a Director of New Zealand Winegrowers, a wine consultant to Air New Zealand, and the Deputy Chair of the Council of The Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier, which has wine science and viticulture as flagship degrees. She pioneered the introduction of the winery programme for Sustainable Wine Growing New Zealand.
In recognition of her services to New Zealand wine, Kate was awarded the Sir George Fistonich medal at the New Zealand International Wine Competition in 2010. She was made a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers in 2015, the frst female winemaker to receive the award. In 2019, Kate was inducted into
the prestigious New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame. In 2021, Kate was awarded as the “Primary Sector Industry Leader” from the HB A&P Society and was also the 2021 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Hall of Fame recipient for leadership role’s in both the Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand wine sectors. In 2024, Kate
was named the F.A.W.C! Legend for her contributions to the Hawke’s Bay wine industry raising the profile and performance of Hawke's Bay and the wider wine industry.
In addition to launching her new business, Kate was also involved in the mentor programme for Women in Wine since it was introduced in 2018 and was the Chair of Women in Wine NZ for 5 years. She also chaired the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction which raises valuable funds for local Cranford Hospice for 5 years.
