Geoff Thorpe

Geoff’s "passion for growing things" has been the driving force behind the Gisborne nursery since he founded the company in 1982. His tireless focus on plant health and quality has enabled Riversun to evolve from a small local business into the premium supplier of grafted grapevines to the New Zealand wine industry and, more recently, into plant importation and propagation for other horticultural sectors.

As a teenager, Geoff found inspiration working on his father’s orchard and vineyard developments, which led him to pursue a degree in Horticultural Commerce at Lincoln University. He credits winning the Wrightson “Young Orchardist” award in 1985 as a real turning point, since the prize enabled him to embark on a study tour of European horticulture. Geoff returned home brimming with new plans and procedures for plant hygiene, propagation and mechanisation. Following a term as chairman of the New Zealand Grape Vine Improvement Group’s certification committee and numerous research tours overseas, Geoff initiated an independent certification system for Riversun’s production methods, and, more recently, has overseen the company’s ventures into plant importation.

Bachelor of Horticultural Commerce - Lincoln University