About
Eva Pemper
Eva Pemper is a Croatian-born winemaker based in New Zealand, known for her deep-rooted passion for winemaking and her commitment to crafting premium wines that honour both her heritage and New Zealand’s unique terroir.
Growing up in a winemaking family in Croatia, Eva was immersed in the craft from a young age. Her parents, who made wine in their garage during the war in Croatia, remain her greatest inspiration.
Despite the hardships, their unwavering belief in their craft instilled in Eva a deep respect for resilience and perseverance—values that continue to shape her winemaking philosophy today.
Eva holds a Master's Degree in Winemaking from Zagreb University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Oenology from EIT Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Her professional experience spans across multiple prestigious wine regions, having held winemaking roles at Marisco Vineyards (Marlborough), Marlborough Vintners, and even in the south of France.
In 2019, she co-founded Eva Pemper Wines in partnership with Rob Anderson, a vineyard owner with extensive holdings in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Their partnership ensures access to high-quality fruit from vineyards they farm themselves, allowing them to uphold meticulous quality standards while maintaining the potential to scale production.
Winemaking Philosophy
Eva’s winemaking approach is centered on minimal intervention—allowing the grapes and vineyards to express themselves naturally. She describes her philosophy as "simple, approachable, and elegant", striving to create wines that are fresh, balanced, and enjoyable on any occasion. The brand is built on the foundation of resilience and possibility, with each bottle representing a journey of transformation— from her Croatian family’s humble beginnings to Marlborough's sunlit vineyards.
“My vision is to allow the grapes and the vineyards to speak for themselves through the wine and to intervene as little as possible while crafting a delicious drop that represents a certain place in time.
My winemaking style is very simple, I try to make approachable wines that are easy to drink and can be enjoyed on any occasion, while at the same time they are delicious, fresh and elegant.” - Eva Pemper
The Pemper Legacy & Vineyards
As the only Croatian-born female winemaker in New Zealand, Eva Pemper’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and dedication to her craft. Her brand is not just about making great wine—it is about carrying forward her family's legacy of resilience, celebrating the best of New Zealand’s terroir, and creating elegant, approachable wines that people love to drink.
Vineyards
Eva's wines are exclusively produced from their three vineyards located in the Lower Wairau sub region of Marlborough, New Zealand. Located at the base of the Wither Hills foothills, vineyard blocks are protected from southerly winds coming up the Island from the Antarctic. Higher-than-average growing degree days, combined with careful canopy management, produce wines high in expressive thiols (tropical characters), whilst maintaining balanced acidity.
Entrepreneurial Women With Purpose
Eva Pemper - founder and winemaker EP Wines
"Eva Pemper founded the brand EP Wines with a desire to continue her family legacy in the wine industry from the 80’s in Croatia.
With courage and bravery naturally in her blood, Eva took the leap to move to NZ leaving her family and friends and starting again, with Eva believing that both courage and bravery are two key pillars of success and propelling forward.
A key driver to her success as a female winemaker in Marlborough through the challenging year of 2020, has been through continuous learning and development, to rethink her business, learn from others who had done it before and embracing the digital world." - Catherine van der Meulen, Entrepreneurial Women With Purpose
Eva Pemper Wines
Top picks
Eva Pemper Sauvignon Blanc
A classic yet very powerful aroma of ripe citrus fruits including tropical mango and dried pineapple with delight you from the moment you open your bottle. This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one that truly impresses. A fresh palate with a satin feel, flavours of red apple, pineapple, gooseberry and fresh herbs swirl onto the mouth with a fresh finish.
Food match: Spicy dishes.
Eva Pemper Chardonnay
Bright and lively, this Marlborough Chardonnay is one that will please the crowds. Enjoy smooth yet textured aromas of peach, apple, grapefruit and light vanilla aromas. Filled with fine barrel texture and a slight cashew nut quality, this Chardonnay shows plenty of acidity and fine wood tannins. Touches of peach fruits and vanilla on the palate with a lovely mouthfeel to finish.
Food match: Smoked fish and seafood dishes.
Eva Pemper Pinot Noir Rosé
Delicate and truly divine, this Eva Pemper Pinot Noir Rosé is one to delight. Enjoy the fresh aromas of strawberries and cream mixed with red apple and cherries on the nose. Complex and very silky, this drop showcases a fresh and acidic balance of sweetness and core fruit flavours to reflect the wonderful bouquet.
Food match: Salty cheeses (feta) and salmon dishes.
