Buck was involved in wine judging in New Zealand and Australia for many years, beginning in 1969 after he published a book on the subject called Take a Little Wine.
In 1979, he became chairman of judges for the national wine show.
He was the first New Zealander to hold this position.

Buck was also chairman of the board of the Hawke's Bay Opera House and the patron of Cranford Hospice.
In 1991, he founded the Hawke's Bay charity wine auction, and has been previously chairman of Hawkes Bay Vintners, which he helped establish.
From 1991 to 1996, he served as chairman of the New Zealand Wine Institute.
He has represented the wine industry at international trade negotiations, gaining access to the European Union, and had a regular wine series on Radio New Zealand as well as fronting documentaries for the same network in the Spectrum series.

Since 1974, Buck and his wife Wendy have managed New Zealand's oldest winery, Te Mata Estate.
They live in the Coleraine Vineyard opposite the winery, have three sons who work at Te Mata — Jonathan, Nick and Tobias Buck — and six grandchildren.
Coleraine — the red wine made from the Buck family vineyard — has repeatedly been named New Zealand's greatest red wine, and has achieved many accolades in New Zealand and internationally.
Buck was involved in wine judging in New Zealand and Australia for many years, beginning in 1969 after he published a book on the subject called Take a Little Wine. In 1979, he became chairman of judges for the national wine show. He was the first New Zealander to hold this position.
Buck was also chairman of the board of the Hawke's Bay Opera House and the patron of Cranford Hospice. In 1991, he founded the Hawke's Bay charity wine auction, and has been previously chairman of Hawkes Bay Vintners, which he helped establish. From 1991 to 1996, he served as chairman of the New Zealand Wine Institute. He has represented the wine industry at international trade negotiations, gaining access to the European Union, and had a regular wine series on Radio New Zealand as well as fronting documentaries for the same network in the Spectrum series.
Since 1974, Buck and his wife Wendy have managed New Zealand's oldest winery, Te Mata Estate. They live in the Coleraine Vineyard opposite the winery, have three sons who work at Te Mata — Jonathan, Nick and Tobias Buck — and six grandchildren. Coleraine — the red wine made from the Buck family vineyard — has repeatedly been named New Zealand's greatest red wine, and has achieved many accolades in New Zealand and internationally.
John Buck (winemaker)