Ivan, a fourth generation Marlburian studied agriculture, valuation and farm management at Lincoln University, graduating in 1973. While also pursuing a sporting career he went on to become a valuer and farm management consultant before entering the wine industry with his wife Margaret in 1979, joining the other early pioneers of the Marlborough viticulture industry.

Over a period of many years Ivan and Margaret established their own vineyards on selected sites in the Wairau and Southern Valleys, one of these becoming known as Dog Point with the long -term plan of starting their own small quality-focused label.

In 1986 Ivan joined Cloudy Bay in its establishment years as their viticulturist, a position he held for 18 years, serving in the latter years as a Director of the Company. He also grew grapes privately for the Cloudy Bay label, leaving the Company at the end of 2003 to concentrate on the establishment of a winery and launch of the Dog Point label.

Ivan served on the Board of the local industry body since its earliest inception for many years, continually being a voice and advocate for quality driven outcomes to maintain the integrity of brand Marlborough.

He had a strong interest in research being one of the initiators of the development of the Marlborough Wine Research Centre, serving as Chairman of the Board for 12 years, retiring to become a Trustee and assist in the continuing development and expansion of the Centre.

In 2011 Ivan became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rowing and viticulture, and in 2018 was made a Fellow of NZWG.