Mission Statement
At Gardo & Morris, our mission is to craft authentic New Zealand wines with care, integrity, and a deep respect for the land. Rooted in our family’s journey between New Zealand and Sweden, we work closely with growers, follow sustainable practices, and let each vineyard’s character shine through minimal‑intervention winemaking. We aim to create wines that tell a story of place, craft, and connection — bottled with the same family spirit that inspires everything we do.
our story →
Meet the winemaker →
What Shapes Our Wines →
Sustainability →
our wines →
Our Story, Uncorked
A Family Story in Every Bottle
We are a small family-run winery with roots in both New Zealand and Sweden. As winemakers, importers, and wine lovers, we spend part of the year in New Zealand making our wines and the rest in Sweden sharing them with our customers.
How it all began
Our story began in 2000 when we met in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. After several years living and travelling together — including sailing around the South Pacific — we married in Sweden and later decided to build something of our own.
Starting the winery
In 2006 we launched Gardo & Morris with a simple idea: to create elegant single-vineyard wines that capture the essence of New Zealand’s finest wine regions. Our wines first appeared in Swedish fine-dining restaurants before becoming available at Systembolaget stores in Sweden.
Two countries, one winery
Today our wines are enjoyed primarily in Sweden and New Zealand, with growing interest from other European markets as well as Japan. Living and working between the two countries continues to shape both our wines and our perspective.
A family affair
Our winery has always been a family endeavour and as our children grow, we hope they will join us in this journey ensuring the story continues with the next generation.
Inspired by the outdoors
Outside the winery we spend as much time as possible in nature — fishing, sailing, surfing and exploring the coast. Our connection to the outdoors influences how we think about sustainability and how we care for the vineyards we work with.
Meet the winemaker
Ben Morris
I grew up in New Zealand and studied winemaking at Lincoln University, completing a Master of Applied Science in Oenology. During my studies I focused on producing organic wines with minimal preservatives — an approach that still guides my work today.
Harvesting skills around the world
After graduating, I worked several vintages overseas as a flying winemaker, gaining experience in both France and California. These years helped shape my understanding of different wine styles and winemaking practices.
Returning home to New Zealand
Eventually, I returned to New Zealand to make wines for estates in Kaitaia and Auckland before bringing our own project to life. In 2006, Frida and I moved to Sweden and launched Gardo & Morris together.
Winemaking philosophy
Today, I oversee every stage of the winemaking process. We focus on single-vineyard wines when possible that express the character of each site and grape variety. By working with small vineyards and carefully selected fruit, we can create wines that are authentic and have a genuine sense of origin. However, our aim is always to make our wines as good as possible, therefore the art of blending different sites can be preferrable and can change with each vintage.
What Shapes Our Wines
Crafted With Care, From Vineyard to Bottle
The
vineyards
Single vineyard focus
Our wines come from carefully selected vineyards across New Zealand’s wine regions. Working with smaller sites allows us to choose the best fruit and capture the character of each plot.
Working closely with growers
We work closely with our growers throughout the year. Long-term relationships help ensure that the vineyards are farmed with the same care and attention that we bring to the winery.
Organic and regenerative practices
Many of our vineyards are farmed organically with regenerative practices used for many years. Our goal remains the same— healthier soils, stronger vines to yield exceptional fruit.
A living vineyard
Cover crops are used to support biodiversity and soil health. A balanced vineyard ecosystem allows the vines to thrive naturally and produce fruit with greater depth and expression.
In The
Winery
Gentle winemaking
We aim to guide the process rather than control it. Careful handling and minimal intervention allow the character of the vineyard and the vintage to shine through.
Thoughtful fermentation
Depending on the wine, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, French oak barrels, or a combination of both. This allows us to achieve balance, texture, and structure in each wine.
Complexity and careful aging
For many of our white wines we use extended lees ageing to add depth and complexity. This is a process that requires time and patience but ultimately rewards us with beautifully expressive wines.
Small-scale production
Our annual production remains relatively small, allowing us to stay closely involved in every step, from vineyard to bottle, and ensuring that each wine reflects our highest standards and core ethos.
Sustainability
A long-term commitment
Sustainability is always at the heart of every decision we make. Our vineyards follow sustainable winegrowing practices and we continue to increase the share of organically farmed sites. Gardo & Morris has been certified by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand since 2006. We are also mainly using light weight bottles when possible, to reduce our carbon emissions
Responsible practices
The winery is also a member of World Favor and follows the Amfori BSCI Code of Conduct, supporting responsible environmental and social practices throughout the supply chain.
Looking after the land
Healthy, resilient vineyards produce higher-quality fruit and will continue to thrive for generations. Protecting the land is therefore not only the responsible choice — it is fundamental to crafting exceptional wine.
