Monday, 4 August 2025 - Innovative New Zealand winery Invivo announces a strategic investment from Indevin, New Zealand’s largest wine producer, designed to supercharge its global expansion.
The partnership will accelerate Invivo’s growth, powered by its flagship brands – Invivo X, SJP, Graham Norton “GN” Wines, and Invivo Wines - while capitalizing on the increasing global demand for premium New Zealand wine.
Indevin’s equity investment, together with a long-term supply chain agreement, will enable Invivo to expand distribution, scale production, and bolster marketing support for its brands in key export markets. Invivo currently sells 400,000 x 9 litre cases of wine annually.
Invivo remains independently owned and operated, with Indevin joining the Invivo Board. Indevin’s investment strengthens the Invivo Group’s diverse shareholder base, which includes Cofounders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron, long-term collaborators Sarah Jessica Parker and Graham Norton, over 800 Kiwi investors from Invivo’s crowdfunding campaigns, and Invivo employees.
Invivo and Indevin share a growth-focused mindset and a passion for bringing quality New Zealand wines to the world. Founded in 2008, Invivo began as a humble, founder-led business with Tim and Rob hand-selling wine and has since expanded to export into 43 countries.
Founded in 2003, Indevin is New Zealand’s largest wine producer, with premium vineyards spanning Marlborough to Gisborne. Indevin’s expertise in sustainable, global wine supply and contract winemaking services will provide Invivo with valuable resources. In 2021, Indevin acquired Villa Maria, one of New Zealand’s most revered and awarded wine brands.
“This is a game-changing partnership for us” comments Tim Lightbourne, Cofounder of Invivo. “We’ve always done things our way, and now we’re joining forces with the best in New Zealand. With Indevin’s investment, we’ll have the resources to take Invivo to the next level, while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that’s always driven us. We’re excited to build the next chapter of Invivo’s story.”
Simon Limmer, Indevin Group CEO, said: “We’ve long admired Invivo’s creative approach to winemaking and the powerful, authentic brands they’ve built. Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our values, and this investment complements our market-led strategy whilst reinforcing our vision to lead the global market for premium New Zealand wines.”
“We’ve built Invivo from the ground up based on collaboration, creativity, and community” said Invivo Cofounder and Winemaker Rob Cameron. “I’m looking forward to working with Indevin’s viticulture and winemaking teams to select the right vineyards for our ranges. Their extensive holdings give us the flexibility to explore new styles and sub-regionalities, while we maintain full control over winemaking. We’ll continue to operate our own vineyards too, and for our customers, nothing changes - they can expect the same signature flavours and styles they know and love.”
Cameron adds: “This partnership is meaningful for Invivo, Indevin, and New Zealand wine on the world stage. We’re proud to be working alongside a team that shares our vision.”
Recent Invivo growth highlights from its key markets - USA, UK and Ireland - include:
- Graham Norton Sauvignon Blanc was the fastest-growing major brand in the category in 2024 in the UK, with sales up 396% year on year*
- For the past three years in a row, Graham Norton “GN” Wines has been named one of Ireland’s Top 20 brands by revenue
- Three-time inclusion in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year for Invivo X, SJP and 90+ point ratings from leading critics for Invivo X, SJP Sauvignon Blanc for its first six vintages
- Invivo X, SJP has national distribution across 42 states in the USA, in addition to 25 other countries. The brand has seen nationwide depletions in the USA increase by +86%** since 2023
- Recent expansion of the Invivo Wine range into Europe, Asia and Ireland
Consumer demand for New Zealand wine exports continue to grow; in the USA, the premium New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc category ($15+) grew by 14.4% in IRI/Circana channels in 2024. Among the ten largest origins for imported wine into the USA, New Zealand is the only country to post an increase in 2024. In the UK, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc sales by value have grown by 9.5% over the past year, with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc delivering £1 in every £2 of Sauvignon Blanc sales on the UK off trade***.
ENDS
*Nielsen EPOS Total UK Coverage 52wks to 25th Jan 2025**Invivo Importer sales to customer *** Nielsen GB Total Scan Off Trade ending 22/02/25
ABOUT INVIVOFounded in 2008 by school friends Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron, Invivo is one of New Zealand’s most innovative wineries. Known for their bold, boundary-pushing ideas, Invivo made headlines with Invivo Air, the world’s first winery airline, and three highly successful crowdfunding campaigns, making it the largest crowdfunded beverage company in the Southern Hemisphere.Invivo's pioneering spirit extends to its award-winning, authentic and long-term collaborations with Graham Norton and Sarah Jessica Parker, who are shareholders in the business and involved in annual tasting and blending sessions to ensure the wines are made to their specifications.The GN wine range now includes six wines and four spirits, with more than 300 gold medals and accolades awarded since its inception in 2013. GN New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a British and Irish household favourite.The Invivo X, SJP wine collection includes three wines, and is rapidly growing in the USA with growing national and regional distribution. Invivo X, SJP has been included in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the World three times and has been awarded more than 90 Gold medals 90+ points.Invivo has earned over 350 international wine show medals and its wines are exported to 43 countries. With a focus on innovation, quality and community, Invivo continues to lead the way in shaping the future of winemaking.
ABOUT INDEVINIndevin Group is New Zealand’s largest wine company. With operations spanning Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne, Indevin produces around 18% of New Zealand’s total wine exports. The company operates four major wineries, including the flagship Villa Maria site in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley.
Indevin’s business model is twofold; it manages a portfolio of consumer brands – spearheaded by Villa Maria, the UK’s #1 New Zealand Wine brand by volume and value*, and provides global wine supply and contract winemaking services to major international retailers. This dual structure enables Indevin to deliver quality wine at scale, positioning them as a key partner in the global wine supply chain.
*Nielsen UK Off Trade MAT 31.03.25
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