NZ Young Winemaker of the Year 2022 – Who Will It Be?


Four talented young winemakers are building up the 2022 national final next Thursday 3 which is being held at Kim Crawford winery in Blenheim.  They will undergo some gruelling winemaking challenges to find out who will become the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year.

NZ Young Winemaker of the Year 2022 - National Finalists.

Douw Grobler from Trinity Hill is representing Hawke’s Bay and also has a strong viticultural background as well as in winemaking.

Alun Kilby from Marisco is representing Marlborough and has worked 13 years in the wine industry in various regions around New Zealand. 

Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone is representing North Canterbury and graduated with a degree in Law before discovering her passion for wine. 

Eliana Leal from Amisfield is representing Central Otago and her background is in biotechnology so she loves being in the laboratory conducting trials.

Their preparation is already underway as they prepare for their presentation which is focusing on innovation in the wine industry and discussing which new techniques or technologies excite them most for a sustainable, successful future.

Apart from being crowned the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, the national winner will win a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, be an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards and review wines in DrinksBiz magazine.

The competition is made possible by all the generous sponsors.  The national sponsors are Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Fruitfed Supplies, Villa Maria-Indevin, Laffort, Programmed Property Services, Tira Crown, Visy, New World, Winejobsonline, NZSVO and Pernod Ricard.

https://www.nzwine.com/en/events/young-winemaker/

About the NZ Young Winemaker Competition:

Now in its seventh year, the competition is open to those under 30 involved with wine production. This includes cellar hands, cellar managers, those working in the laboratory, assistant winemakers and winemakers. If places are available, those studying for a degree in winemaking may also be able to compete and are certainly welcome to any associated events.

The Young Winemaker competition aims to help ambitious and passionate young people become future leaders of the NZ wine industry.  It is a fantastic opportunity for emerging young winemakers to grow, develop and advance their careers.

The competition tests the contestants on a wide range of skills and knowledge required in the winemaking process.  For example blending, laboratory tests, viticultural knowledge, tasting analysis, Health & Safety, presentation skills and market knowledge.

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