Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
44 seconds ago
EIT graduate Aaron Coxhead has been named one of New Zealand’s top young winemakers after placing second in his first national final.
The 28-year-old Graduate Diploma in Wine Science graduate was announced runner-up in the 2026 New Zealand Young Winemaker of the Year competition last Thursday, following the national final in Martinborough.
Aaron said he was “pretty stoked” with the result.
“The competition in Martinborough was a big step up from the regional competition and was a pretty full on day. I really enjoyed the competition, met a lot of people and had great exposure for my business.”
Aaron is already planning to return to the competition next year.
“I’m aware of areas of improvement and intend to have another crack at it next year.”
He qualified for the national final after winning the North Island Young Winemaker of the Year competition, held at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay Campus in Taradale last month.
The regional win came two years after Aaron placed second in the same competition. After gaining experience at wineries overseas, he returned this year determined to go one better.
“Coming second definitely made me want it more, that’s for sure. I just had this burning desire to get into it again and give it another shot.”
Aaron described the competition as “intense”, with entrants put through a series of challenges testing their practical and theoretical winemaking skills.
He also took out the laboratory section, despite not expecting to after running out of time to complete every task.
“I just targeted the things I knew the best and did those first to a high quality. It blew me away that I won that challenge.”
Aaron’s interest in winemaking developed while studying biomedical science at the University of Auckland, when he took an optional wine science course.
It proved to be the course he enjoyed most, with an A plus to go with it too.
“I felt it wasn’t hard to study for because I enjoyed it. It was easy to just sort of put effort in. It was quite indicative that, okay, this is something that’s of interest to me.”
After completing his degree, Aaron took a vintage role at a winery in 2022, an experience that confirmed he wanted to pursue winemaking as a career.
“I absolutely loved it,” he said.
When the winery offered him a full-time position, Aaron began looking at further study. His boss recommended EIT, where the ability to study the Graduate Diploma in Wine Science by distance meant he could continue working.
Aaron said the programme helped him understand the theory behind the practical skills he was developing on the job.
“They definitely helped me develop a deeper understanding of the things I knew how to do with my hands but didn’t necessarily know all the theory behind it.”
Since graduating from EIT, Aaron has gained winemaking experience in Australia and Germany.
In South Australia, he worked with red varieties including Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, before completing a vintage in Germany’s Rheinhessen region.
The experience exposed him to different winemaking techniques and approaches.
“You kind of get comfortable with how you do things your way in your own country,” Aaron said.
“I learned a lot of other ways to make wine. It was definitely eye-opening and a very good experience for my career.”
Now based in Rotorua, Aaron and his wife are preparing to launch their own label, Coxhead Wines.
They plan to start with a Central Otago Pinot Noir, with Aaron hoping to launch the brand later this year.
“It’s basically just trying to make a mark in the world, I guess, with our own brand.”
EIT Assistant Head of School, Primary Industries, Viticulture and Wine Science Lisa Turnbull said reaching the final is a tremendous achievement and recognition of his talent, hard work, and determination.
“Aaron’s achievement is a testament to the effort he has invested in developing both his practical winemaking skills and his scientific understanding of the industry. We are proud of all he has accomplished and know he has a bright future ahead in the wine industry.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/01/eit-graduate-named-among-new-zealands-top-young-winemakers/