The Hawke's Bay A&P Society and Craggy Range Young Vintners Scholarship for 2021 went to Maddison Airey, a 23-year-old first year Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science student from Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT).
"I love how practical the course is," she says. "Not only have we experimented in the lab, we have also learnt to drive tractor, pruned vines, made and bottled wine, amongst other activities." Added to this has been the theory of wine production including chemical and microbial principles, all really interesting and relevant to today's wine industry," she says.
"Our small class size allows the lecturers to provide lots of individual help. Their experience and knowledge is outstanding."
As part of the scholarship, Maddison wins $2,000 funding from the Hawke's Bay A&P Society and a vintage position at Craggy Range Winery for 2022 harvest season, and she will also be an associate judge for the Hawke's Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards next year.
Looking forward to the future, Maddison is looking abroad to further her winemaking education. "But ultimately I do want to come back to Hawke's Bay because I love it here, and there are incredible brands to work for."