Anika Willner appointed General Manager of Coal Pit
Long-standing Winemaker to lead the next chapter of Coal Pit’s organic Gibbston estate
Coal Pit has appointed Anika Willner as General Manager, expanding her position beyond the winery to lead the wider direction and day-to-day management of the family-owned Gibbston estate.
Anika will continue as Coal Pit’s Winemaker, bringing the vineyard, winery and wider business together under her leadership as General Manager and Winemaker.
Since joining Coal Pit in 2018, Anika’s influence has reached into every part of the business. She has guided the development of its wines, deepened its commitment to organic farming and helped shape Coal Pit into the distinctive Central Otago producer it is today.
Coal Pit owner Rosie Dunphy said the appointment formally recognises the role Anika has naturally grown into since joining the company.
“Anika knows every aspect of Coal Pit from the ground up. She has cared for this vineyard and the creation of its wines with extraordinary energy and vision. Just as importantly, she understands what makes Coal Pit special – our beautiful site and soils, which, together with Anika’s drive and attention to detail, allow Coal Pit to consistently produce wines of the highest quality.
“This appointment feels less like a change and more like recognising the leadership Anika has already shown. I am incredibly proud of what she has achieved and delighted to have her leading Coal Pit into its next chapter.”
Originally from Ohio, Anika brought extensive international experience to Coal Pit, having worked across South Africa, Germany, Tasmania, Oregon, Burgundy, California and Marlborough before making Gibbston her home.
The appointment comes at an important stage for Coal Pit, following continued investment in the vineyard and winery, the introduction of new Central Otago single-vineyard wines and the establishment of Chardonnay on the Gibbston property.
“Coal Pit has been my home for much of my winemaking life. I have grown alongside this vineyard, and I feel a real responsibility to care for what has been built here while continuing to ask what it can become,” Anika said.
“There is still so much to learn from this site. I’m excited to bring the vineyard, winery and wider business even closer together and continue to build on the huge potential I know this vineyard has”
Alongside her work at Coal Pit, Anika is an active contributor to the wider wine industry. She chairs New Zealand’s Organic, Regenerative and Biodynamic Winegrowing Conference and serves as the New Zealand representative for The Porto Protocol, an international wine-industry climate action organisation.
As General Manager and Winemaker, Anika will continue to build on Coal Pit’s commitment to organic farming, thoughtful growth and wines that express the distinctive character of their Central Otago origins.
