We’ve got a great group of people here at Redwood Cellars where we make the Old Mout Cider. Here are a few of the driving forces behind the business helping bring you the best of the good stuff…
Justin Hall – Managing Director/Director
What I do at Old Mout…I run the day-to-day business. While Scottie takes care of the sales and marketing, I oversee the production and backroom functions.
The best thing about working here is…I get to dabble in cider development, technology innovations in the cidery, business development opportunities around the world, and the challenge of running and growing a solid business – what’s not to enjoy?
How I got here…Did an Ag Science degree at Massey along with a couple of post grad years then jumped straight into my first management role with New Zealand’s largest export apple producer (at the time) in Hawkes Bay. Then had a stint in Operations Management in the transport industry distributing beer on contract for Lion Breweries in Auckland before joining Zespri, New Zealand’s kiwifruit marketer in 1998. That lead to supply chain management roles in Auckland, Tauranga, Tokyo and back to Tauranga. I left Zespri because I had a desire to develop my skills in the general management area rather than focusing on only supply chain. Purchasing the business with Scottie in 2006 has certainly delivered on that goal for personal growth.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is…Feijoa & Cider because it’s scrummy. I’m a feijoa ‘skin and all’ fan so to be able to get feijoa with cider is magic. I think of it as part of my 5+ a day fruit and vegetable target.
Scottie Chapman – Sales & Marketing Director
What I do at Old Mout…My day job here is to oversee the Sales & Marketing, 
so we can take Old Mout Cider to the world – or as we like to say ‘Global Domination’. After staying low-key for 60 years we have decided to let people know ‘we think it’s pretty good’ and so have just set up a marketing team. I also work with Justin to come up with cunning plans to make it better.
The best thing about working here is…Having a product that tastes really good, has an attitude and is fun to sell and be involved with. Our entire team genuinely loves Old Mout and this makes it a fun place to work as we have happy employees and lots of positive comments from our satisfied customer base. I also really like the way we can make decisions quickly and not get caught up in the bureaucracy that I’ve seen slow down larger companies.
How I got here….I’m a proud country lad from a farm in the South Island’s Waitaki Valley. Armed with a B Com in Marketing Management from The University of Otago I spent 12 years based in Japan. I became deputy general manager of Asia for Zespri (where I met Justin), then general manager of Automotive & Technology for a British supply chain company and country manager for Watties Japan. After coming back to NZ in 2005, I spent a year looking for a business to buy, called my mate Justin, and the rest is history.
If I wasn’t at Old Mout I’d probably be…Running a business selling NZ food and/or beverage products primarily to Asia. Why? I love Asia, the diversity of cultures, the potential and the attitudes. NZ is an obvious source of food for this region. Luckily that is not too far off what my day job is now, so life is pretty good.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is… Classic apple because I like the subtle flavours and as I drink it like beer, the lower alcohol content than the other Old Mout Ciders means I can enjoy that little bit more!
Shane Topp – Group Sales Manager
What I do at Old Mout..I look after Sales across all facets of the Old Mout New Zealand business. This involves working with our internal and external sales teams to get the “good stuff” into as many supermarkets, liquor stores, bars, cafés and restaurants as possible to ensure our loyal followers are in a position to access our products easier.
The best thing about working here is… Being part of a great team that all have the same focus of “global domination” for Old Mout.
How I got here…I was GM of our 3rd party Sales & Merchandising company, fell in love with the Old Mout ways and felt I needed to be involved…..the rest is history!
If I wasn’t at Old Mout I’d probably be…On the golf course.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is Scrumpy, because I am a sprinter not a marathon runner and you might as well go out in style, although a bit premature.
David Sax- Chief Cidermaker
What I do at Old Mout..I am the Chief Cidermaker here at Old Mout, where I oversee the entire cider production process. Ultimately that means ensuring the quality and variety of our ciders is the best on the market.
The best thing about working here is…The amount of tasting required to ensure we are producing the best ciders on the market. 
How I got here…I started making wines and ciders when I was 14 years old. Despite this early start I managed to graduate with a BSc degree from London, and then started my professional winemaking career by completing a postgraduate diploma in viticulture and winemaking at Lincoln. I then spent 17 years making wines in both Europe and New Zealand – most recently 6 years as winemaker at Grove Mill, in Marlborough. I have had two short career diversifications. Bookmaker – I ran a successful betting shop, in a seaside town on the south coast of England. From over 6,000 managers I reached the Final 6 in the 2003 Betting Shop Manager of the Year Competition. Truck Driver – less successful. I managed to get my truck wedged in a tunnel, causing the 2 hour closure of a major Intercity railway line into London.
If I wasn’t at Old Mout I’d probably be… Fermenting some other tasty beverage. Different career path? A steeplechase jockey.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is (…..) because it is the most delicious Old Mout cider yet! I’m sorry it is not yet available in the shops. Top secret R&D. Being Chief Cidermaker at Old Mout has its perks……
Merophy Hyslop – Cider Maker
What I do at Old Mout…I’m the Cider Maker. That means I handle everything from choosing the juice through to the point of bottling. Whenever I get a chance, I’m also researching and developing new products.
The best thing about working here is…The variety!
How I got here…I studied winemaking at Lincoln University, then travelled the world for about four years learning the trade and visiting cideries as often as I could. While working for almost five years at a winery in Nelson – and making cider in my spare time – I decided a change of direction was needed, so I knocked on the door of Old Mout… and they gave me a job.
If I wasn’t at Old Mout I’d probably be…Making cider somewhere else. I’d rather be making it here though, of course.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is…Feijoa & Cider because I like its zestiness!
Richard Brown- Operations Manager
What I do at Old Mout…Operations management
The best thing about working here is…Things are happening. New developments and new branding makes work life very interesting. Also there is a good team developing.
How I got here… I have worked in horticulture all my working life from picking tobacco through to 18 years with Wakatu Inc as Packhouse coolstore manager, then general manager, then CEO Ngatahi Horticulture. All based in Motueka.
If I wasn’t at Old Mout I’d probably be…I am still working that out!
My favourite Old Mout Cider is…Boysencider because it’s really refreshing on a hot day.
Brett Freeman- Trade Marketing Manager (Australia)
What I do at Old Mout….My main role is to tell the great people of Australia what the neighbours are up to…. Making great cider. My days are filled by ensuring people know about us, know what we do, why we’re different, and importantly, making sure it’s easy to get it at your local.
The best thing about working here is…We have a genuinely great product, with good support, passionate people and loyal cider lovers. Being a smaller company without 20 levels of management means we can decide and act fast when we need to.
How I got here…I started in the industry when I was 14 running a country pub with my family. I went on to work in the hospitality industry for 13 years before completing a Business Diploma and crossing over to liquor sales.
I spend a few years at Lion Nathan working closely with the major chains, before moving to Australian Liquor Marketers in a wholesaler and banner group management role. After that I went to Suntory where I developed group account plans and worked on off & on premise distribution strategies.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is…Ice cold and served at the beach, although a mulled Scrumpy Mojito will get me through winter.
Sharoyn Coates – Sales Support
What I do at Old Mout…My roles vary substantially. Based in Nelson I provide the Sales / Marketing support, I manage/attend all the Festivals/Trade Shows/Events we participate in around NZ, organise all the tastings around our NZ retail outlets, liaise with our sales force. I am also one of the voices on Twitter (@oldmoutcider SC) and Facebook.
The best thing about working here is…Gosh lots of things, but the people I work for and with are the best / most fun people I have ever worked with. I feel privileged to be just one of the people who are out there sharing the love of the Old Mout Cider brand. We get such an awesome response to our product everywhere we go! Oh and let’s not forget the Cider, it’s truly my fav beverage! PS: I also love it when Merophy the Cider Maker invites us into the lab to sample new ideas!
How I got here…My working background is mostly in retail/sales and marketing. This background has given me confidence in dealing with all kinds of people, something I thoroughly enjoy. It is the first time I have worked in the supermarket / alcohol industry, so I have had a lot to learn, some things rather challenging, and I continue learning new things every day.
If I wasn’t at Old Mout I’d probably be…At the batch in Okiwi Bay…fishing with an Old Mout Cider in my hand.
My favourite Old Mout Cider is…Boysencider of course …because it tastes every bit as good as it sounds!!
