Young Viticulturalist of the Year Awards

The Central Otago Young Viticulturalist of the Year Award gives under 30s involved in winemaking a chance to show off their skills.

The contestants face a mix of practical and theoretical questions which include pruning, netting, machinery, pests and diseases, budgeting, nutrition, wine knowledge, trellising and an interview. Then they compete in the BioStart Hortisports race, a quiz round, and make a speech at the awards dinner. The competition is a real challenge for both mind and body.

"It’s a good way to test yourself,” says first-time competitor Finn Horsfield.

"It shows you where you’re at in your career and how you stack up against other people."

It’s also a chance to meet other people in the local viticulture community.

The national co-ordinator of the Young Viticulturalist awards, Nicky Grandorge, explains that "contestants love it — at the end of it they feel they’ve made a lot of friends.

"It’s created this really lovely community where previous contestants are helping."

Otago Polytechnic is proud to provide the location for these horticulture games, which celebrate the strengths of young people in the industry. The Bannockburn Road Vineyard is the ideal venue, as a productive learning vineyard with both pinot noir and chardonnay vines.

Congratulations to Nina Downer, winner of the Central Otago Young Viticulturalist of the Year Award, who will go on to represent Central Otago in the national competition.

For more about the awards, click here.