Tuesday, 22 December 2020 15:55

Fifteen years of Young Vits

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fifteen years of Young Viticulturist of the Year winners gathered in Martinborough in October. Fifteen years of Young Viticulturist of the Year winners gathered in Martinborough in October.

Competing in the New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year competition is all about escaping your comfort zone, says the first ever winner.

Marcus Wickham took the title at the inaugural competition in 2006, and says entering put him on a pathway to success. “As soon as you enter you start to study, but a lot of it you cannot learn by reading a book,” he says. “You have to get out and talk to people – people you wouldn’t normally go out and talk to.” That helped him more than the eventual result, he says, urging people to enter the competition for what they can learn and the contacts they can make. “And if you are lucky enough to get a placing or win it, all the better.”

Marcus and 13 other Young Viticulturist winners gathered in Martinborough in early October, to celebrate 15 years of the competition as the 2020 finals progressed. The celebration brought together alumni, sponsors and wine industry members from around the country. “After a very challenging year, it seemed extra special to be able to gather, reminisce and look forward,” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers and National Coordinator of the competition. “With these big thinking, ambitious young leaders now in senior roles, it seems the future is in great hands.”

She says the celebration conference was entitled ‘Investing in the future’, recognising sponsors who have supported the competition over the years, and reminding young people in the industry to invest in themselves.

The winners since 2006 are Marcus, Emma Taylor, Simon Bishell, Caine Thompson, Stuart Dudley, Nick Paulin, Braden Crosby, Matt Fox, Paul Robinson, Caleb Dennis, Cameron Price, Tim Adams, Annabel Bulk, Simon Gourley and the 2020 winner, Rhys Hall.

More like this

Young Viticulturist

In the lead up to the Young Viticulturist of the Year National Final 2023, we meet the regional finalists.

Bayer Young Vit of the Year

For the second year running an emerging leader from Central Otago has taken out the national title of Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year.

The Best Of The Best

It is an often used phrase – great wine begins in the vineyard – and those behind the Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year competition strongly believe it.

Giving It A Nudge

Four years ago, Nick Paulin won The National Young Viticulturist title on his second attempt. After competing in the regional finals five times, and winning twice, Paulin is the still the only national winner to emerge from Central Otago. 

» Latest Print Issues Online

Popular Reads

Ten years of Méthode Marlborough

New Zealand wine enthusiasts have a deepening understanding and growing appreciation of sparkling wine, says Mel Skinner, Chair of Méthode Marlborough…