News | Coal Pit Wines

Anika Willner appointed General Manager of Coal Pit

We are delighted to share that Anika Willner has been appointed General Manager of Coal Pit, expanding her role beyond the winery to lead the wider direction and day-to-day management of our family-owned Gibbston estate.

In her expanded role, Anika will continue to lead our winemaking while overseeing the estate as a whole.

Since joining Coal Pit in 2018, Anika has become an integral part of the business. She has guided the development of our wines, deepened our commitment to organic farming and helped shape Coal Pit into the distinctive Central Otago producer it is today.

Her appointment is a natural progression and formally recognises the leadership she has already grown into. Over the past eight years, Anika has developed an intimate understanding of Coal Pit, from the nuances of our north-facing Gibbston vineyard and schist-based soils to the people, relationships and decisions that shape the estate beyond each vintage.

Before making Central Otago home, Anika built her experience across respected wine regions in South Africa, Germany, Australia, the United States, France and New Zealand. That international perspective is balanced by a deep respect for place and a belief that the most compelling wines begin with thoughtful farming.

At Coal Pit, this philosophy has helped guide our progression towards a more considered and connected way of working, including achieving BioGro organic certification across both our vineyard and winery.

Her appointment creates an even stronger connection between how we farm, how we make wine and how we share our estate with our customers, Cellar Club members, trade partners and community.

We are incredibly proud to see Anika step into this new chapter and look forward to all that lies ahead.