Bragato Scholar

“It’s a very good and understanding industry, and the community is great as well,” says Rebecca, one of this year’s Bragato Trust Scholarship recipients. “The people you meet and the mentors you get; everyone is so passionate about what they do, and it leads to a lot of fantastic opportunities.”

Despite such enthusiasm, Rebecca’s introduction to the wine industry came by chance, derailing her plans to study law or political science. Excellent academic results from secondary school in New Plymouth had her scanning university websites for the best fit, when she began browsing science programmes as well. Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology’s (NMIT) Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking, “in the heart of the wine industry”, popped up purely by chance, and she was intrigued by a field well off her radar. Looking back, she thinks schools should be doing a lot more to promote wine and vine opportunities to students. From business to law, chemistry to viticulture, “it’s so multi-faceted”, she says, loving that her studies allowed her to try several areas, while still having a focus on wine science.

It was a big step to apply, with most of her peers heading off to study medicine, law and engineering. But when she joined NMIT in 2018, aged just 17, Rebecca was immersed “from the get-go” recalling a “fantastic” start. “I settled in really quickly and it was something that just clicked.”

Rebecca worked for Wairau River (now Rose Family Estate) throughout her studies, starting with a harvest in 2019, and also gained experience in the cellar door and restaurant, and in the winery as an intern. In her third year at NMIT she undertook a small research project, under the supervision of industry professionals, and says that work solidified her decision to pursue postgraduate studies.

Rebecca says a lot of her knowledge, passion and excitement for the industry was inspired by mentors at NMIT, Bragato Research Institute (BRI) and the University of Auckland, where she is currently investigating the effectiveness of oenological tannins in Pinot Noir. That project is inspired by, “and an extension of the incredible work completed by scientists as part of the BRI Pinot Project”, she adds. “The effects of oenological tannins on improving phenolics in Pinot Noir are fascinating, and the findings of my research will hopefully provide additional insight for winemakers.”

Her decision to pursue wine science has been her best one yet, Rebecca concludes. “The wine industry is multi-faceted with unlimited opportunities… My hope is more young people consider the wine industry when deciding what to study after high school, after graduation, or as adults.”

The Bragato Trust

The Bragato Trust was formed in memory of viticulturist and visionary Romeo Bragato, who trained at the School of Viticulture and Oenology in Conegliano, Italy, from 1878 to 1883. Romeo was the Victorian Government Viticulturist Expert from 1888 to 1901, and visited New Zealand in 1895 and 1901, before moving here in 1902, and serving as New Zealand Government Viticulturist until 1909.

The Bragato Trust was enabled by a bequest from the estate of the late Jan Colville, granddaughter of Romeo and Laura Bragato and a grant from the New Zealand Grape Growers Council.

Peter Holley of Mission Estate is current Chair of the Bragato Trust, following the death of former Chair, and dedicated Romeo Bragato researcher, Kevyn Moore last year. The trust’s scholarships aim to support research of relevance to the viticulture and wine industry, and promote the development and dissemination of viticulture knowledge and practice in New Zealand.

For more information go to nzwine.com/en/events/bragato-trust-scholarships