Our Team

Mike Todd

Mike Todd runs a diversified portfolio of family businesses. He holds a business degree in marketing from Victoria University and has held advertising and marketing management positions both in New Zealand and the UK. A keen foodie and wine lover, Mike has even owned a restaurant for while. He sums up this experience as discovering that he preferred to be waited on than doing the waiting himself! Restaurant ownership forced him to learn how to cook properly, although he likens his abilities in this area to that of chemistry – “grab the ingredients in measured quantity, mix and apply heat!”

Over the last 20 years, Mike and his cousin Michael Okkerse have overseen the redevelopment of Dolbel Estate. 

Michael Okkerse

Michael Okkerse is a great-great-grandson of Richard Dolbel Sr. A graduate in law, economics and anthropology from Victoria University, Michael was admitted to the Bar in 1975 and in 1977 was appointed a Visiting Assistant Professor at what now is the George Mason University School of Law in Washington DC. Since 1981 he has been in practice as a barrister in Wellington with a particular interest in health industry consumer rights and in public health issues generally. With US attorneys, Michael successfully represented New Zealand women in Class Action damages claims in the USA against US manufacturers of health products. Currently he works with the Ministry of Justice as a Principal Advisor in the Justice Strategic Policy Unit, a think tank focused on the future of the justice system in New Zealand, and is active in family business interests.

With his cousin, Mike Todd, Michael has enjoyed the challenge of overseeing the transformation of Dolbel Estate into a modern enterprise, particularly the development of the Estate's Springfield Vineyard into fine grape and wine production. 

Andy Nurse

Managing Director

Andy Nurse is managing director of Dolbel Estate Wines. He has played an integral part in guiding and managing the Dolbel Estate operation since 1986. Andy was born and grew up in Canterbury. He graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce degree from Lincoln University in 1976. After a move to Hawke’s Bay, he represented the province in rugby and was nominated for the All Black trials in 1978. Until he was approached to run Dolbel Estate, Andy operated a rural business consulting service based in Napier. In 1994, Andy his wife and three sons moved back to Canterbury. He commutes regularly to continue the operation of Dolbel Estate. 

Cameron Roucher

Viticulturist

Cameron Roucher is the estate’s viticulturist. Cameron returned to Hawke’s Bay from a management position with Casella Wines in Australia to join the Dolbel Estate team. Cameron grew up in the Manawatu and studied viticulture and winemaking at the Eastern Institute of Technology at Taradale. He then spent eight years at Morton Estate in Hawke’s Bay, gaining experience in vineyard, nursery, winery and cellaring operations. In June 2008 Cameron was named the 2008 Hawke’s Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year. 

Tony Prichard

Winemaker

Tony Prichard makes all the Dolbel Estate wine. Tony honed his skills as original winemaker of Church Road. At Church Road, he used grapes grown at Dolbel Estate, so he knows the potential of the site very well. Tony graduated from Massey University with a Food Technology (Honours) degree in 1982. He became a winemaker straight afterwards. In 1990, he moved to Hawke’s Bay to oversee the first vintage at Church Road Winery, where he remained as chief winemaker for over a decade. He now divides his time between winemaking and his passion for cabinet making and stained glass. 

Carole O'Connor

Sales & Marketing

Carole O’Connor is the Managing Director's P.A. and is responsible for the sale and distribution of wine orders as well as the marketing and promotion of the Dolbel Estate label. She came to Dolbel Estate via Michael Okkerse, for whom she worked from 1990 to 2007. Over time, she became increasingly involved in administering the family investment company and when Michael wound down his legal practice, Carole took on a larger role with Dolbel Estate. She is based in Wellington.