Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
6 seconds ago
North Island Young Winemaker of the Year winner Ben McNab (middle) with second-placed Kaitlin Bond and Douw Grobler, who came in third.
An EIT graduate has successfully defended his title in the annual North Island Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year Competition, held at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale yesterday.
Ben McNab, who works at Palliser Estate Winery in Martinborough, was crowned the title at an awards dinner at Black Barn last night.
The 29-year-old has competed regionally for the last three years, coming second in 2019, before winning last year, and taking silver in the National Final.
For winning the North Island competition this year, Ben receives $1000, and an educational trip hosted by Fruitfed Supplies.
He now hopes to continue his upward trajectory when he competes against the winners from Marlborough and Central Otago at the National Final to be held in Central Otago early next year.
“It is a wonderful competition for exposing where you can improve your skillset and to meet new people and your fellow colleagues in the industry is an absolute bonus.”
He says being able to compete in the competition both at a regional level, and nationally is special. “This opportunity does really shape your career if you allow it to and work hard.”
Ben completed his Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science at EIT via Distance in 2019. “It was amazing because it meant that I could apply real life stuff in the workplace to study.”
The competition, which is open to anyone under the age of 30, has been running since 2015 and aims to stretch emerging young winemakers, help them upskill, grow in confidence, and start making a name for themselves in the New Zealand wine industry.
A maximum of eight contestants compete and the winner then goes on to represent the North Island in the National Final. Due to COVID-19 alert level restrictions preventing two Auckland-based contestants from taking part, this year six contestants went head-to-head.
Kaitlin Bond from Indevin came second while Douw Grobler from Trinity Hill came third. They won $750 and $500 cash respectively, and a special bottle of wine from Pernod Ricard each.
The other contestants were Frances Robertson Best, Te Mata Estate; Tom Crosier, Craggy Range and Gavin Dalton, Villa Maria.
They were tested on a wide range of skills required to be a successful winemaker including a cellar challenge, laboratory tests, blending, fault finding, blind tasting, and marketing. They then each presented a prepared speech.
Committee Chair Larissa Duwakin, who also studied Viticulture and Wine Science at EIT says it is a great opportunity for young winemakers to showcase their talent.
“We’re really lucky in the amount of outstanding young talent coming through and having them come together to compete is fantastic.”
Having the use of EIT’s state-of-the-art laboratory complex and facilities is also a bonus.
Larissa says the competition puts contestants outside of their comfort zone but at the same time is very rewarding. Evidence of this is in the number of applications they received.
“I think what is amazing about the competition it that is allows those in the industry to meet and challenge each other. And if you do go on to the national competition, they have the opportunity to win the title, and some amazing prizes.”
She says the industry is very welcoming to young talent, with the older generation willing to pass down their knowledge.
EIT’s Head of Viticulture and Wine Science, Sue Blackmore, says it is always a privilege for EIT to host the Young Winemaker competition and have industry on campus to use our facilities.
“We love to see the emerging talent who will go on to lead the future NZ wine industry.”
