Haysley MacDonald was not always a grape grower and wine producer. His family has deep historical ties to the Marlborough region, dating back to the early Maori settlers around 800 years ago. Transitioning from traditional hunting and gathering to modern agriculture by the 19th century, the land—near the original landing site—was used for beef and dairy farming and later for potato cultivation in the 1990s. The MacDonald family’s potato business became a significant supplier of pre-cut frozen chips, with locals remembering young Haysley helping his father, Phillip, deliver bags of chips to local restaurants, pubs, and cafes.