Invivo has received strategic investment from New Zealand’s largest winemaker Indevin to “supercharge” its global expansion.
The winery, which makes celebrity wines from Sarah Jessica Parker and Graham Norton, said the equity investment – together with a long-term supply chain agreement, would enable it to “expand distribution, scale production, and bolster marketing support for its brands in key export markets”.
Invivo will remain independently owned and operated by its co-founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron, but Indevin will have board representation following the investment.
“This is a game-changing partnership for us” said Tim Lightbourne, co-founder 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.”
Simon Limmer, Indevin Group CEO, added: “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.”
Founded in 2003, Indevin operates four major wineries in New Zealand including its flagship Villa Maria site in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. It is responsible for nearly a fifth of all New Zealand wine exports.
Its business is spearheaded by the Villa Maria brand, New Zealand’s biggest wine brand by volume and value [NIQ 52 w/e 31 March 2025], alongside contract winemaking services it offers international retailers.
Invivo, meanwhile, was founded by Lightbourne and Cameron in 2018. Its collaborations with Graham Norton and Sarah Jessica Parker – GN Wines and Invivo X, SJP – are sold in UK retailers including Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and on Ocado.
No comments yet