Young Viticulturist of the Year

LEON HENSON is representing Auckland next week in the national final. Leon, 23, is currently the Vineyard Manager at Batch Winery, a hilltop oasis located on Waiheke Island. His viticulture journey began in the sun-soaked vineyards of Herons Flight Matakana through an old-school apprenticeship kicking off in the summer of 2017. Currently he is pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Viticulture Science at EIT. Beyond the vineyard, Leon hangs out in the depths of a World War II army tunnel, where he will be recording his first EP……..stay tuned. Good luck Leon!

NICK McARTHUR will be representing North Canterbury next Wednesday in the 2024 national final. Nick, 25, is Operations Manager at Tiki Wine and Vineyards in Waipara.
Nick grew up in Outram just inland of Dunedin on his family’s market garden where he gained his passion for horticulture. He moved up to Canterbury where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Lincoln University. Nick has since worked three vintages in Marlborough and is now moving into his third year at Tiki Wines.
He has a passion for technical viticulture and is interested in exploring innovative grape growing techniques and new technology.
When he is not in a vineyard, he enjoys the outdoors whether that be trail running, dirt bike riding or hunting. Good luck Nick!

JAMES SUTCLIFFE from Craggy Range will be representing Wairarapa in the national final. As the nationals are being held in Martinborough, he is sure to have a strong, local crowd behind him.
James is 25 years old and a foreman at Craggy Range's Martinborough vineyard. He has been in the wine industry for seven years, working in vineyards across New Zealand and has done vintages in Margaret River and the southern Rhone. James is currently studying viticulture at EIT. Outside of work you'll find him in the bush, snowboarding or making music. Good luck James!

ANNA KELLAND from Constellation Brands will be representing Marlborough in the 2024 National Final.
Anna, 22, is a Viticulture Technician for Constellation Brands, and first worked in the vineyard in 2020 during her studies towards concurrent degrees in Viticulture and Wine Science at EIT. Originally from Hawke's Bay, she has worked as a cellar door assistant, cellarhand, laboratory technician, and vineyard operator. She now enjoys the research and data analysis involved in her job as a viticulture technician after making the move to Marlborough last year. Anna is dedicated to gaining as much knowledge as she can about all things wine and is always interested in anything involving science. She hopes to study even more in the future and add value to the industry by sharing new findings from research and field trials. When she's not in the vineyard, Anna likes cooking and she's also a soprano who loves singing musical theatre and opera.
Good luck Anna!

NINA DOWNER from Felton Road will be representing Central Otago next week. Nina Downer is 24 years old and began her viticulture journey when she started her Bachelors degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University back in 2017, while studying she spent her summers working in the vineyards at Dry River Wines in Martinborough. She made the move down south to Central Otago in the winter of 2020 and has been at Felton Road Wines ever since.
Growing up on dairy farms she has always had a strong appreciation for working outdoors and while studying she found she is most passionate about soil and plant sciences which makes working in viticulture always fulfilling. Working organically and biodynamically Nina’s goals are to continuously find better ways to farm that minimise our carbon footprint and improve soil and vine health, specifically the ways we manage the undervine soil.
Outside of work Nina enjoys catching up with friends and family, gardening, and a good vino. Good luck Nina!

As the countdown is on, let's find out more about our 2024 National Finalists. Today we'll meet JOE STENBERG from Te Mata Estate who is representing Hawke's Bay.
Joe is 27 years old and found an interest in wine through bartending. He then studied Wine Science on Waiheke Island through Auckland Uni.
He has worked 3 vintages in the Hawkes Bay so far, all being very different from each other. Outside of work he plays hockey and does boxing which is a great way to wind down at the end of the day. Good luck Joe!

Not long to go now... The national finalists have been working hard on their research reports and now studying hard for the big day. Keep up the great work everyone and see you at Escarpment on 28th August!

Rowan Hoskins is a key member of the Young Vit community and having competed himself has since been heading up the Wairarapa competition. Here's a great interview on his successful career and his passion for viticulture and helping the next generation come through. Thanks for all your great work Rowan :)

Rowan Hoskins has found his niche in Wairarapa-based viticulture.

He got started in the wine industry when he found himself at somewhat of a loose end and his father – distinguished viticulturist Nick Hoskins – suggested he try his hand at winter pruning. “I did a season and never left,” says Rowan.

Read the full profile here: https://bit.ly/49oHQPE

Lovely to see Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands featured on the cover of Wine Press magazine. She will represent Marlborough in the 2024 National Final on 28 August.

The August 2024 edition of Winepress looks at:

Young Viticulturist
Ten contestants tested themselves and wowed the judges on a frosty Marlborough morning. Top honours went to Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands. Photo: Jim Tannock

Invest in People
Results are in for the Workforce Survey, with guidance on how to attract and keep good staff.

Succession Plan
The Glover family weave together their skills and experience to create a business for the next generation.

Farewell Vakameasina
After 14 years, Fruition Horticulture is no longer providing the RSE worker training programme.

Generation Y-ine - Angus McFarlane

Read more: https://www.marlboroughwinenz.com/winepress/august-2024

As we start building up to the national final, we have a little update from the Auckland - Wairarapa competition. James Sutcliffe who came second will be the Wairarapa representative, as Annika Salenjus is overseas. He's very much looking forward to taking part and representing both Craggy Range where he works and the Wairarapa region. Good luck with your preparation James and great to have you in the nationals.

Another great interview as Nick McArthur our SI Regional winner chats on Morning Rural News.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018947943

A great interview on REX as Dominic George asks Nina Downer about defending her Central Otago title and winning for the third time. She also talks about why she loves working in viticulture and at Felton Road.

2024 Central Otago Young Viticulturist Of The Year Nina Downer "I love my job. There's such diversity in viticulture... I definitely see myself carrying on in this industry," she affirms.

Congratulations again to Nick McArthur from Tiki Wines for winning the 2024 South Island Regional Competition. Congratulations also to Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone for coming second

Congratulations to Nick McArthur from Tiki Wines for becoming the 2024 North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year

Good luck to Nick McArthur, Piper Eder, Louis Szigetvary & Georgia Mehlhopt competing in the SI Regional competition today at Waiata Vineyard in Waipara

We’re all set up and ready for our South Island Regional competition at Waiata tomorrow. Fingers crossed the sun will break through in the morning 😀

Great interview with Marlborough winner Anna Kelland, as Dominic George from Rural Exchange asks her all about the Marlborough competition, her role at Constellation Brands and how she got into viticulture.
https://www.rexonline.co.nz/home/rural/2024/07/2024-marlborough-young-viticulturist-of-the-year-anna-kelland.html

2024 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year Award Anna Kelland joins Dom to chat about her road to victory, the challenges of the competition, future aspirations and more.

Listen to the full chat on your favourite streaming platform now or click the link below to read more and listen at rexonline.co.nz.

It was exciting to see Simon Bishell and his family featured on Country Calendar on Sunday. Simon was our 2008 Young Viticulturist of the Year. Fantastic to see how much he and his family have achieved. Congratulations Caythorpe

Watch Hyundai Country Calendar S2024E20 | TVNZ+ Two Marlborough brothers make their mark on their diverse family businesses which include cherries, vineyards and making hay for horses.

We're heading to Waiata Vineyard in Waipara for our South Island Regional competition this week.
Good luck to our four contestants:
- Nick McArthur, Tiki Wines
- Piper Eder, Tiki Wines
- Louis Szigetvary, Tiki Wines
- Georgia Mehlhopt, Greystone Wine

Congratulations again to Nina Downer from Felton Road for winning the Central Otago competition. Congratulations also to Callum Scarborough also from Felton Road, for coming second and also to Finn Horsfield from Terra Sancta for coming third

Congratulations Nina Downer from Felton Road for becoming the 2024 Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year

Another great BioStart Hortisports which certainly helped warm up the contestants. This was followed by a Fruitfed BBQ before the Quiz Section

Good luck to all the Central Otago contestants competing today at Otago Polytechnic Central Campus .vineyard.gibbston

Good luck to our other 4 contestants competing tomorrow at Otago Polytechnic Central Otago Campus:
- Angus Savage, Cloudy Bay
- Finn Horsfield, Terra Sancta
- Felix Jordan, Gibbston Valley
- Callum Scarborough, Felton Road

It's our Central Otago competition this week, so let's meet our first four contestants. Good luck to:
- Nina Downer, Felton Road
- Katherine Hirsh, Burn Cottage
- Matt Hurnen, Rippon Vineyard
- Nick Stringer, Cox's Vineyard

Congratulations again to Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands for becoming the 2024 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year. Congratulations also to Liv Bishop from Delegat for coming second and Laura Hammond from Babich for coming third

Congratulazioni to Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands for becoming the 2024 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year

A great BioStart Hortisports today with a mix of technical and fun challenges. Thanks to Fruitfed Supplies for laying on a delicious BBQ

Tahryn Mason has been enjoying catching up with his fellow Young Hort contestants at their Professional Development Day.

Our 2023 finalists came together again for their Professional Development Day. It's a chance to reconnect 6 months post competition and learn with Belbin team coaching. Thanks Candice Collier, Belbin NZ and Pacific. We're also grateful to Official Partners, Ben Smith, T&G, & Max Spence, Fruitfed Supplies and Silver sponsor, Emma Taylor Craigmore Sustainables for challenging finalists with your insights as leaders in horticulture. Thanks Auckland Botanical Gardens for the venue and Shaun Trevan and Ingrid Ennis from the RNZIH Education Trust.

Congratulations to Ryan Fraser, from Paritua Wines for receiving this fantastic scholarship and will soon be heading over to Adelaide. Ryan also heads up our Hawke’s Bay committee which is hugely appreciate. Congratulations to Gavin Dalton and Sara MacDonald too - a great trio 👏

Congratulations to the three members of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry, who have just become the first recipients of the Great Wine Capitals Knowledge Exchange Programme.

Ryan Fraser, Vineyard Manager at Paritua Wines, Sara Macdonald, Assistant Winemaker at Sileni Estates , and Gavin Dalton, Assistant Winemaker at Brookfields Vineyards Estate, will travel to the Great Wine Capital of Adelaide, South Australia to discover more about sustainable practices that can further assist their own operations and the Hawke’s Bay wine industry as a whole.

More: https://nzwinedirectory.co.nz/toast-to-trio-named-for-first-great-wine-capitals-knowledge-exchange/