Congratulations to Markhams Young Viticulturist winner

Nick Paulin from Peregrine Wines in Central Otago has been named the 2011 Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year as part of the 17th annual Romeo Bragato conference. Paul Robinson from Villa Maria in Hawke’s Bay was placed second in a closely fought competition for national honours held at Villa Maria Estate in Auckland.

The Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year event encourages and nurtures excellence in viticulture.  It gives top performers the opportunity to benchmark themselves against the best talent from each winegrowing region in New Zealand.

All entrants are judged over a number of categories including; pruning ability, general viticultural knowledge, budgeting and machinery skills. Nick will now go on to compete in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition.

This is the third time that Nick has represented Central Otago. The competition has been running for just six years and four out of five of the previous winners have also gone on to win the Young Horticulturist of the Year.

Markhams Auckland director, Sam Bassett was on hand at the final to assist with judging the three minute speech contest and the budgeting question. Sam says that all five finalists performed really well and impressed the judges in all categories. "They had an excellent knowledge of the issues facing their respective regions and also the industry as a whole.

"20 by 2020 (ie 20 percent organic viticulture by 2020) and sustainable viticulture practices, was a key theme acknowledged by all contestants, and bodes well for the future."

Being involved in Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year is a "great opportunity for the industry to recognise key young people who will contribute so much to New Zealand’s success in the future.


 

Markhams Auckland director, Sam Bassett (right) shares a joke with Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year 2011, Nick Paulin from Central Otago.  Runner up, Paul Robinson looks at the trophy he didn’t quite win, with Philip Gregan, New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive (left).