NZ ‘wine giant’ Peter Babich has died

Peter Babich, founder of Babich Wines, the oldest family-owned winemaking company in New Zealand, passed away on 2 February, aged 92. Peter Babich, an influential voice in the New Zealand wine industry, passed away on 2 February 2025. His son David Babich, who is CEO of Babich Wines, said Peter was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, and was considered by many to be "a giant in the New Zealand wine industry." "Dad was a man of incredible vision, integrity, and passion for his family and craft, but it was his warm personality, tireless dedication, and genuine care for people that leaves the greatest legacy, both in our family and across the wine community," said David Babich. "He will be deeply missed."

Winemaking family

Peter Babich was born into a winemaking family on 20 June 1932, with his father Josip having founded Babich Wines in 1916. He joined the family winery in 1949, aged just 17, and over a 70-year career played a critical role in transforming the company into one of New Zealand’s leading wine producers. He helped establish Babich Wines as an internationally recognised brand, with the family’s wines now exported to more than 60 markets around the world. Throughout his career, Peter’s leadership and contributions to the wine sector were widely acknowledged. He was instrumental in establishing the wine export certification process which helped pave the way for the growth of New Zealand wine on the world stage. Closer to home, he was instrumental in expanding the company’s vineyards and production capacity while maintaining "an absolute commitment to quality."

Hall of fame

A life-long commitment to New Zealand’s viticulture and wine industry saw Peter become a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1989. In 1995 he was made a Fellow of the Wine Institute of New Zealand, and in 2015 he was inducted into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame. He was a passionate advocate for sustainable viticulture. Peter Babich is survived by his wife, Lise Babich, his sons Joseph, David and Michael, his daughters-in-law Julie and Paula and grandchildren Peter, Luke, Annelise, Sophia and Amara.

Organic front runner

Peter Babich was a passionate advocate for sustainable viticulture, and son David has picked up the baton and run with it. He told db last year he believes that organic is the next step up the premium ladder for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. To underscore this, he staged a vertical tasting of Babich Wines in London, featuring vintages stretching back for 15 years. What became immediately evident was the impressive ageability of the producer's Sauvignon Blanc, a variety that many believe is meant to be drunk right away. "Any ‘pan-Marlborough’ wine, where you’re taking wine from 100 different vineyards, is going to start getting pretty homogenous in terms of flavour," he said. "There’s no real terroir associated with it, other than that of the broadly sweeping ‘Marlborough’ region. With organic wines, they tend to be single-vineyard by nature so they are not being diluted by cross-terroir." Speaking of his organic vines, Babich explained that “vines have thicker skins when farmed organically because you’re not protecting them artificially so they have to protect themselves. It means they are more resistant to disease but they can be scrawnier. They’re not as robust as you’re not using fertiliser, so we do a lot of work on vine strength.” Babich Wines’ Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is currently priced at £14.99 in Waitrose and £15.99 at Majestic. Babich also makes an organic Chardonnay, organic Pinot Gris, organic Albariño and organic rosé, as well as an organic Pinot Noir.