Wine industry pioneer dies
The man who helped put Martinborough on the world wine map has died.
Palliser Estate founding managing director Richard Riddiford died on Tuesday night following a short illness.
Palliser Estate is one of Martinborough’s largest wine producers. Riddiford retired in May last year, after 25 years as the head of the wine company.
Riddiford led industry initiatives including Toast Martinborough, the Pinot Noir conferences and the Family of Twelve – a fraternity of 12 of New Zealand’s artisanal wineries that promote New Zealand wine in key export markets.
He was recognised widely for his outstanding contribution to the industry and in 2000, when he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
In 2010 he was inducted into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame and last year was inducted as a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers. His work played a significant role in putting the district on the world wine map.
Toast Martinborough chairman Pete Monk said he was saddened to hear of Riddiford’s death.
‘‘He left an indelible mark on the com- munity … After what that man has done, he deserved a long retirement.’’
Monk took on the Toast Martinborough role after Riddiford retired from the board. ’’It was a privilege to take on the role after him – there are festivals across the world that look at Toast with admiration and that’s all down to his vision and passion.’’
Monk said tributes had been flowing in for him, since the small community heard of his passing.
‘‘He’s left us a lot, but it’s sad he’s not here to enjoy all his hard work.’’
Negociants New Zealand managing director Clive Weston, who had known Riddiford for 26 years, said he was sitting on a bullet train between Beijing and Shanghai when he heard the news.
‘‘I got a call from a personal friend who had been camped at his bedside for a couple of days. It’s very sad.’’
Weston described Riddiford as visionary, a straight-shooter, and very modest. ‘‘He achieved a great deal, but never bragged about it. He earned a lot of respect.’’
The Pinot Noir conferences were Riddiford’s ‘‘brain child’’, Weston said. ’’His ideas were never flash in the pan … They were very enduring and, in a sense, his thinking is global.’’
Wine writer Raymond Chan, who considered Riddiford a mentor, said he knew he was unwell, but said his death was sudden. Chan described Riddiford as a ‘‘special man’’.
‘‘When he chaired the first Pinot Noir conference, he asked me to look after the wine logistics, so I got to see how he worked and how inspirational he was to the people around him.
‘‘He brought me closer to the wine industry than ever before.’’