Cricket legend Ross Taylor may have retired from international sport, but his next innings in the world of wine has taken shape. And behind this new venture is David Tyney, co-founder of Cirro Wines, a boutique family-run winery based in Marlborough, New Zealand.
“Ross is a close friend, and he’s passionate about two things—cricket and New Zealand wine,” says David. “When he decided to explore the wine business, we worked together to develop his own brand.” The result is the Ross Taylor wine collection, starting with a Ross Taylor 290 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2023—named in honour of his 290 international matches.
The wine, made from 100% Marlborough Pinot Noir grapes, is crafted to reflect both the purity of New Zealand’s terroir and Ross’s love for approachable, fruit-driven wines. “He spent time with us in the vineyard, learning the process. It’s a true collaboration,” says David.
Now, with exports already underway to India, Ross is stepping up his business game. He recently joined the New Zealand trade delegation led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on a visit to New Delhi, signalling his growing commitment to international markets.
Cirro Wines: A Family Passion
Behind Ross Taylor’s wine journey is the larger story of Cirro Wines, a winery run by David and his brother Adam for the past 15 years. Named after cirro clouds that float high and light above the Marlborough region, Cirro captures the freshness and clarity of New Zealand’s cool-climate wines.
Cirro specialises in Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, and Pinot Noir, and remains true to its small-scale, high-quality ethos. “New Zealand is a small country. We don’t have vast land for vineyards, so we choose our locations carefully and aim for excellence in every bottle,” explains David.
Currently exporting to China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, Cirro is actively expanding into Southeast Asia. “This is our first time at Vinexpo Asia in Singapore, and the response has been encouraging,” says David. “We’ve had solid enquiries and found that many importers are keen to add New Zealand wines to their portfolios.”
What Makes NZ Wines Special?
New Zealand’s wines stand out for their vibrant fruit flavours and refreshing acidity, thanks to the island nation’s maritime climate and ocean breezes. “We only produce cool-climate wines—no warm-climate varieties. That gives our wines their unique profile: clean, fresh, and approachable,” says David.
Most of New Zealand’s wines are exported, with top markets being China, the US, and the UK. “We export 95% of our production.” The country also enjoys one of the highest price-per-litre figures in the world, second only to Canada. “That speaks to our focus on quality over quantity,” David adds. “Our wines command higher average prices than even those from France, Spain, or Australia.”
As David Tyney and Cirro Wines continue to grow, their mission remains grounded: sharing New Zealand’s finest, one bottle at a time—whether under the Cirro label or in collaboration with friends like Ross Taylor.