stony lower land, growing 75 per cent sauvignon blanc, with the remainder planted in riesling and pinot noir varieties. The vineyard has expanded in response to recent drought conditions and the need to find a way to better utilise the land. In turn, the success of the vineyard has allowed the family to take a risk on its next venture, buying a well-established knitwear manufacturer, McDonald Textiles, in 2017. Working with his sister, Emma, he has focused on growth, diversifying into wool garments under the McDonald umbrella as a natural connection to their merino farming. “We have found the best fit in McDonald Textiles, along with Royal Merino, and the addition of the high-fashion Standard Issue knitwear label in 2019,” he says. McDonald knitwear is New Zealand-sourced – and made, underpinned by the Ensors’ commitment to the ZQ ethical wool programme and “all the accountability that comes with it”. Highlighting the long-term sustainability of wool use, ZQ growers must meet fibre quality, animal welfare, environmental care, and social responsibility standards in their production. As the Ensor family’s Standard Issue label highlights, the “merino is fully traceable”, with producers sharing “values of respect for land, people, and animals”. By “nurturing the land through regenerative practices”, wool is crafted “in balance with nature – from field to stitch”.
chance to have another career and develop his financial skills. However, a return to the land was always the end goal. “I always encourage every family member to have their own career in the hope that they will eventually want to join the family firm and bring those fresh skills,” Ben says. During his time on the land, he has deftly adapted, understanding the importance of diversification
and varied revenue avenues to benefit present and future generations. In tandem, he has grasped the opportunity to create and maintain sustainable farming practices amid the changing and drier Marlborough environment. While the family continues to farm merino and beef, there have been some big changes. Under Ben's management, the 140ha vineyard – established by the family in 1995 – has thrived in the
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SUSTAINABILITY
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