our philosophy
At Gardo & Morris, we believe great wine begins in the vineyard. We make New Zealand wines that express where they come from. By working closely with our growers and taking a thoughtful, minimal-intervention approach to winemaking, we allow each vineyard and vintage to shape the final wine.
Everything we do is guided by a respect for the land, a passion for craftsmanship, and the belief that great wines are made through patience, collaboration, and careful attention to detail.
our story →
Meet the winemaker →
What Shapes Our Wines →
Sustainability →
our wines →
Our Story, Uncorked
A Family Story in Every Bottle
Gardo & Morris is run by the two of us – Ben and Frida. While Ben leads the winemaking, Frida looks after the marketing, administration and customer relationships. Together, we combine our different skills to grow the business, from the vineyards of New Zealand to our customers in Sweden and beyond.
How it all began
Our story began in 2000 when we met in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Frida had travelled to New Zealand to study International Relations in Wellington, while Ben grew up in New Zealand. After several years together, filled with travel and adventure – including sailing through the South Pacific – we married in Sweden. Over time, the dream of creating something of our own began to take shape, and Gardo & Morris was born.
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
Over the years we’ve spent time living in New Zealand, but for the past nine years Sweden has been our home and our main market. Each year we return to New Zealand for the harvest and to oversee the winemaking.
Today our wines are enjoyed primarily in Sweden and New Zealand, with growing interest in other European markets and Japan.
Living and working between Sweden and New Zealand continues to shape the way we work, bringing together New Zealand’s winemaking heritage with a Scandinavian appreciation for simplicity, quality, and craftsmanship.
the name gardo & morris
The name Gardo & Morris is a combination of our family names – Gårdö and Morris. It reflects our shared journey and the connection between Sweden and New Zealand that continues to shape everything we do.
Inspired by the outdoors
Outside the winery we spend as much time as possible in nature — fishing, sailing, surfing, skiing 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. Whenever possible, we focus on single-vineyard wines 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 commitment to excellence means we remain open to blending across sites when it delivers greater quality, a decision that 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 aim to use light-weight bottles whenever possible in order to reduce our carbon footprint.
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.
