Introducing Jeremy McKenzie: Marlborough’s Adventure Racing Winemaker Ready to Conquer GODZone 2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Jeremy McKenzie, a Marlborough-based winemaker, grape grower, and seasoned adventure racer, to our podcast! As a key member of the Goldpine-sponsored GOFENCE® Marlborough team, Jeremy is gearing up to tackle the grueling One New Zealand GODZone Chapter 12, set to take place in his home region of Marlborough from November 27 to December 5, 2025.

This iconic expedition-style adventure race, known as one of the world’s most challenging, will see Jeremy and his teammates navigate over 550 km of rugged terrain, coastal waterways, and skyline ridges through disciplines like mountain biking, trekking, packrafting, and coasteering. 

Jeremy is no stranger to the demands of GODZone. Last year, he competed in Chapter 9 in Rotorua, where his team achieved an impressive 14th-place finish—a testament to his resilience and teamwork. This year, he’s back for his second GODZone alongside teammate Kieran Hickman, joined by newcomers Sarah O’Neill and James McCone, forming an experienced quartet of rural-based adventurers.

As a winemaker at Isabel Estate, where his 2022 Wild Barrique Chardonnay was crowned Wine of the Year at the 2025 London Wine Competition, Jeremy brings the same grit and precision to adventure racing that he does to crafting world-class wines.

Hailing from Marlborough’s stunning landscapes, Jeremy is deeply connected to the outdoors. Whether he’s mountain biking, spearfishing in the Marlborough Sounds, or hiking to Blue Lake, he embodies the rugged, active lifestyle that makes him a perfect fit for GODZone’s unrelenting challenges.

He attributes his toughness to his rural roots, noting that the resilience required in viticulture mirrors the adaptability needed to conquer the unpredictable elements of adventure racing.

“Nothing’s insurmountable,” Jeremy says, highlighting the mental and physical fortitude that drives him in both his professional and adventurous pursuits.

In this episode, we’ll dive into Jeremy’s preparation for GODZone 2025, his experiences from past races, and how his life as a winemaker and family man fuels his passion for pushing limits in New Zealand’s wilderness.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with a true Marlborough adventurer who’s ready to take on the ultimate test of navigation, endurance, and teamwork!