The excitement is real—Harvest 25 is officially underway, and the celebrations are in full swing!
The vineyard is buzzing with energy after the arrival of the first fruit🍇 and it’s safe to say, this year’s harvest is already looking plump with potential! We kicked off Vintage ’25 with the annual first fruit celebration, where we get together to watch the first grapes arrive at the winery, raise a glass and toast🥂 to all the hard work, dedication, and magic the season will bring! 🐑💗
Ruby McManaway, Winemaking
Ruby’s got wine in her veins—well, almost! A born-and-raised Marlborough local, she’s spent the last 10 years crafting incredible wines in both Marlborough and Rhône Valley in France where she gained experience crafting Hermitage wines.🍇
With hands-on experience in vineyards, cellars, and winemaking, plus a Bachelor of Winemaking and Viticulture from NMIT, Ruby brings serious skill to the Babydoll team. She’s even juggling an MBA alongside making world-class wines!
Off the clock, Ruby and her partner are busy tending to their own Marlborough vineyard. She’s passionate about showcasing the magic of Marlborough’s terroir and has even competed in the Young Winemaker competition.
From crafting standout wines to shaping the future of the industry, Ruby’s on a mission to take Marlborough wine to the world—one bottle at a time. 🍷
Ruby’s current fave? The Sparkling Rosé. It’s bright, bubbly, and guaranteed to bring the fun!
Kate Sinclair, Viticulture Administration
Kate was born and raised in Zimbabwe before making the big move to New Zealand in 2004.✈️
Since then, she’s called Seddon home—and she wouldn’t have it any other way! She loves her community, her work, and the people she’s surrounded by.
Kate’s career has been full of surprises! From vineyard development and admin, to retail, community work, and even training polo ponies 🐴—she’s worn many hats. But at the heart of it, she’s all about community, collaboration, and making things happen.
Kate joined Yealands in 2019 after applying three times—because persistence always pays off!
As Viticulture Administrator, she’s got her hands in everything from finance and compliance to pastoral care and events. It’s fast-paced, ever-changing, and she loves every minute! 💗
Miria Wynyard, On Premise Sales
Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Miria grew up in Takapuna and Devonport. She travelled a lot as a youngster, mostly visiting family back in Sweden. After attending Takapuna Grammar, she earned a Bachelor of Education from Auckland College of Education.
In 2005, she and her partner, Tyrone, opened their own bar—while raising their 18-month-old daughter! They ran it for over five years, building strong connections in the Kingsland community. Miria loved the rush of a crowd hitting the bar after an All Blacks game at Eden Park!
Before joining Yealands, Miria worked in real estate sales support and held roles in hospitality management, wine list writing, and front-of-house training. Now, with over eight years at Yealands, she thrives in the on-premise wine scene, meeting incredible people, training teams, and sharing Yealands’ sustainability story.🌷Miria’s favourite part of her role? The energy, positivity and comradery of the NZ sales team!
Mirias go-to wine depends on the day! But, she loves a Rosé on Thursdays and Pinot Gris on Fridays. ✨
The spritz you’ll be sipping all summer long
Ingredients
1 part lemonade
1 part Babydoll Rosé
½ part soda water
squeeze of fresh lemon
Instructions
In a glass of ice, add one part lemonade, one part Babydoll Rosé, and ½ part club soda. Give it a gentle stir. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon. Garnish with a lemon peel twist or small wedge of lemon.
A picnic-perfect lighter in alc spritz for sun drenched afternoons
Ingredients:
100ml Babydoll Lighter Sauvignon Blanc
30ml passionfruit puree or juice
Soda water, chilled to top
orange slice & mint, to garnish
Instructions:
Place a handful of ice cubes into a wine glass. Add passionfruit and Babydoll Lighter Sauvignon Blanc. Add soda water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with mint and orange to make this drink the perfect summer sipper!