Quiet confidence: Ukko’s trusted approach to vineyard and orchard success
Trust in the people behind the work is what makes the difference in viticulture. For Ukko, that trust has been earned over more than 16 years, shaped by experience in the vineyards of Marlborough and expanded through a commitment to delivering smart, scalable solutions that put people, land and long-term value at the centre of everything they do.
From a modest beginning under the name Marlborough VineWorks with just a few tools, a van and a handful of people, Ukko has grown into a respected name in vineyard and orchard management. The early years built deep technical experience in the unique soils and seasons of Marlborough. As the business evolved, so too did its identity. The 2013 rebrand to Hortus marked the start of a new era-one where the company built strong industry partnerships and carved out a reputation for excellence in labour supply, machinery contracting and full-service property management.
By 2024, with more than a decade of hard-earned momentum behind them, the team launched under a new name: Ukko. Named after the Finnish god of thunder and agriculture, the name reflects the team’s enduring link to the land and a renewed focus on scale, innovation and future-focused growth. The change also signals a step forward, expanding Ukko’s machinery and management services into Hawke’s Bay while strengthening its operational base in Marlborough.
The connection with Hortus remains integral. Through the Monarch Platform, both businesses share vital back-end services, ensuring continuity across everything from finance to health and safety, HR and operational support. The close relationship allows Ukko to offer clients the same dependable workforce services they’ve always had access to through Hortus, while refining their own specialisation in machinery and vineyard-orchard management.
One of the most striking things about Ukko is its clarity of purpose. This is a business grounded in practical outcomes, built on relationships and driven by the ambition to help others succeed. Their guiding principle is simple: to provide trusted solutions that enable clients, people and communities to thrive. That shows up in the way they work-with tailored approaches for each site, thoughtful communication and a willingness to adapt when the season or the customer calls for it.
“We're not a one-size-fits-all business. Every block is different, so we work with the client and figure out what's going to work best. Having a crew that knows their machines and knows the land makes a massive difference,” says Henry Williams, Operations Manager, Hawke’s Bay.
Ukko's offer is comprehensive. For those who want to hand over the gate keys and know everything will be taken care of, the all-inclusive vineyard and orchard management service brings everything together. It blends local knowledge with data-driven insights and coordinated operations to maximise productivity while maintaining long-term sustainability. Clients can expect everything from canopy management and yield forecasting to property maintenance, compliance management and direct liaison with wineries or packhouses. The in-house machinery workshop keeps equipment moving and in top shape, while back-end support from Monarch ensures operators in the field are backed by solid systems in health and safety, training, payroll and logistics.
But for those who prefer a more flexible relationship, Ukko’s machinery contracting services meet the brief. With a broad fleet of reliable, modern machines and operators who genuinely care about the outcome, the company handles everything from canopy spraying, leaf plucking and mowing to deep ripping, heavy rolling and trellis work. Custom scheduling and adaptable services allow clients to scale up or down depending on seasonal need. It’s a relationship built not on templates, but on listening to what each property requires.
When grape harvest arrives, the pressure ramps up-and it’s here that Ukko’s machine harvesting team proves its worth. Modern harvesters, trained operators and well-practised systems ensure fruit moves quickly and cleanly from vine to winery, with minimal waste and maximum efficiency.
“When the pressure's on, we just crack on and get it done. There are always unexpected challenges, but our team has the knowledge and support to tackle them head-on,” says Troy McElhinney, Regional Vineyard Manager, Marlborough. Clients know they can rely on the team to turn up ready, act fast and deliver quality results. That trust earned in the most time-critical moments, is part of what sets Ukko apart.
Development is another area where Ukko’s depth of knowledge shines. Establishing a vineyard is as much about precision as it is vision. Ukko handles the entire process, from terrain assessment and irrigation planning to trellising and plant health strategies. Every decision is made with the long-term performance of the block in mind. When done well, development lays the foundation for productivity and profitability for decades to come. Ukko's track record across both new and redevelopment projects gives clients the confidence to invest in their land.
What makes this level of service possible is a team culture rooted in respect, discipline and shared ambition. Ukko’s people come from a wide range of backgrounds, but they are united by a passion for making things work on the ground. From the machinery operators to the management and training teams, every person has a role to play in delivering consistent, high-quality outcomes. Staff development is prioritised, with a dedicated training lead ensuring that each operator is equipped not only to do the job, but to do it safely, efficiently and with pride. Operators are encouraged to take ownership of their work and that sense of accountability is reflected in the company’s results.
That commitment to quality people also extends to the way Ukko works with clients. It’s not about a transactional job done and dusted. It’s about building lasting partnerships based on shared values and respect. The company actively seeks out clients who share their vision for the future and who are motivated to make a positive impact. It’s a collaborative approach that pays off over the long run.
Across both regions, Ukko is seeing growing demand for full-service solutions that balance short-term yield targets with long-term value creation. Clients are looking not just for labour or equipment-they want insight, integration and a proactive partner. With a strong foundation in compliance management, seasonal adaptability and innovation, Ukko is positioned to deliver all three.
Technology plays a major role in that transition. Tatou, the workforce management platform developed in conjunction with industry partners, provides real-time visibility of field operations. From job allocation and tracking to productivity and payroll integration, the system adds a layer Ukko_G2G_25_.docx of efficiency and reliability that benefits clients and workers alike. The Monarch Platform, meanwhile, underpins the broader business functions, ensuring finance, safety, HR and logistics all run smoothly behind the scenes. It’s a modern infrastructure for a modern business, and it gives Ukko the ability to scale while maintaining quality and control.
There’s also a practical awareness of what growers face year to year. Weather volatility, market pressure, labour shortages and regulatory demands are constant considerations. Ukko’s ability to respond quickly to changing conditions-be it scaling up operations during a compressed harvest or introducing alternate payment structures to ease financial pressure-is a key part of the company’s appeal.
“Whether you want steady monthly payments or invoices that follow the seasonal highs and lows, we have the flexibility to design payment structures that work for you,” the team explains. That kind of responsiveness shows a business that truly understands the nature of primary production.
The reputation Ukko holds today hasn’t been built overnight. It’s the result of deliberate growth, hard-earned trust and a refusal to cut corners. While the visual identity has changed over the years, the underlying character of the company has not. This is a business that stands for reliability, problem-solving and continuous improvement. As the team puts it: “We stand for quality, reliability and doing what we say we will do. We take ownership and we take pride.”
Looking forward, Ukko has its sights set on continued growth, but not growth for its own sake. The team is focused on adding value where it counts, whether that’s bringing new capabilities into their machinery fleet, expanding into other horticultural crops, or deepening partnerships in the regions they already know so well. There’s a quiet confidence in the way they operate, a belief that doing the right thing, consistently and professionally will always be good business.
In a sector that often relies on seasonal labour and shifting conditions, stability can be hard to come by. That’s why Ukko’s offer matters. They bring a sense of certainty to operations that are anything but predictable. For growers who want to focus on their core business, Ukko is the team that takes care of the rest.
Whether it’s taking fruit from vine to winery, machines from paddock to packhouse, or people from potential to professionalism, Ukko continues to shape what smart, sustainable viticulture looks like in New Zealand. They may not make a lot of noise about it-but then again, thunder doesn’t have to.