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About Us

Our Spiel

Our name, Sileni, comes from Greek mythology, known for good wine, good food and great company. We've kept that spirit, minus the togas. You won't find a grand speech here, just the result of 25 years spent figuring out what matters and leaving out what doesn't.

More stuff about us

James Hillard

Winemaker

James brings over two decades of winemaking experience to Sileni, from NSW and Italy to Gisborne, the Yarra Valley, and now Hawke’s Bay.

His early career included time with John Cassegrain in Australia and Ricci Curbastro in Franciacorta, making sparkling wine. He later ran the wine programme at Tairāwhiti Polytechnic, then led production for Indevin before joining Sileni in 2022.

A long-time show judge and a steady hand in the cellar, James knows when to step in, and when to leave the fruit alone.

Dom Quilichini

Cellar Door Manager

Originally from the South of France, Dom grew up in a family of grape growers.

He’s spent over a decade in the New Zealand wine scene, from vineyards to retail to cellar doors. He’s visited hundreds of wineries and still keeps finding something new to pour.

Ask him anything — chances are, he’s already tasted it.

Hawke's Bay

Shaped by five rivers, Hawke’s Bay is a patchwork of soils, more than 25 types across clay, limestone, sand and gravel. That diversity drives contrast and character across every varietal we grow here.

Sunshine 2,281 hrs
Rainfall 823 mm
Average Temp 114.3 °C

Grape Varieties

Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Albarino, Rosé,

Marlborough

Wide plains, stony soils, and coastal air, Marlborough’s mix of riverbeds and elevation delivers Sauvignon Blanc with clarity and lift. It’s no accident it’s now the country’s largest wine region.

Sunshine 2,457 hrs
Rainfall 649 mm
Average Temp 112.9 °C

Grape Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc,

In the vineyard

  • 100% SWNZ certified
  • Native planting, less spraying
  • Water use is tracked site-by-site

In the bottle

  • Lightweight bottles
  • Recycled and recyclable packaging
  • Smart shipping, consolidated and backloaded

In the winery

  • Grape waste = compost or animal feed
  • Winery runs on 100% renewable energy
  • Waste is recycled (glass, cardboard, packaging)

In the community

  • We back local charities and conservation projects
  • And look after our people, not just our product