Karl Coombes

The Climb

At Valli Wines in Central Otago in 2020, Karl Coombes entered the daily cadence of harvest, ferment, and decision-making that defines finished wine long before it reaches bottle. That first year gave him a working grip on how much winemaking depends on exact choices repeated over time, and how the cellar rewards consistency more than noise. Since 2021, he has been winemaker of Monte Christo Winery, where the scope widened from execution to direction and the responsibility moved from learning the systems to shaping them.

Today

Head winemaking at Monte Christo Winery has already asked Karl Coombes to start at foundation level, including the design of a new winery. “One of my first big projects was to design a new winery.” “We were basically starting with a whole new building and a majority of new equipment. It was a clean slate.” That clean-slate approach matches a working style that favors utility over show. Coombes’ view of equipment is shaped by what survives the harvest floor: reliability, ease of cleaning, and tools that do the job without complication. “I always liked Europresses. They’re reliable, last a long time, and they’re straightforward. Easy to clean too, which is huge during harvest.” The through-line is a cellar-first mindset, where the design of the space and the choice of equipment sit inside the wine, not beside it. At Monte Christo Winery, Coombes treats the winery as a working instrument, built to support the same exacting standards that define the wines.

Career - Winemaker, Monte Christo Winery, Gibbston, New Zealand (2021–present) - Assistant Winemaker, Valli Wines, Central Otago (from 2020)

Signature

Karl's signature wines include 2024 Monte Christo Rosé and Monte Christo Winery Pisa Pinot Noir 2023. Together, they reflect the region and style that sit at the center of his winemaking, with Central Otago’s clarity and structure running through the portfolio.

In Their Words “I always liked Europresses. They’re reliable, last a long time, and they’re straightforward. Easy to clean too, which is huge during harvest.” “We were basically starting with a whole new building and a majority of new equipment. It was a clean slate.”

Recognition

Coombes focuses on Central Otago wines, a specialization that anchors his work at Monte Christo Winery and connects his career across Valli Wines in Central Otago, New Zealand and Gibbston, New Zealand.

FAQ What is Karl Coombes's current role? Karl Coombes is Head Winemaker. Where did Karl Coombes work before? Karl Coombes's earlier career included Valli Wines. What is Karl Coombes known for? Central Otago wines.