Agri-food leadership case study: Pegasus Bay Wines

Abstract

This is the fourth case study in a series analysing leadership in New Zealand agrifood companies. It is part of the Unlocking Export Prosperity Research Programme led by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University. This case study examines Pegasus Bay, a winery in Waipara Valley founded by Ivan and Chris Donaldson, and now run by the next generation of Donaldsons. Their passion for wine and the craft shines through in the high-quality products they create. They focus on creating wines they enjoy, rather than being led by the market. They have built a strong brand and garnered an international audience through capitalising on sustainable practices and lifting the image of New Zealand. Achieving this has been no coincidence as founders Ivan and Chris Donaldson, and the next generation of Donaldsons – Matthew, Edward, Belinda, and Di – embody the qualities of leadership that support innovation and coordination, and align people to their vision and core purpose. This aligns with previous case studies and the findings of the earlier literature review.