Nina Downer from Felton Road (left) and Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone Wines. NZ Wine Directory
It’s been another great year for our NZ Top Winery of the Year, Felton Road. Nina Downer, who works as a viticulturist there, won the 2024 Young Viticulturist of the Year.
“It’s also really positive to see four young women take out the top two places in both competitions, highlighting the exciting career opportunities for both women and men in the wine industry.” – Nicky Grandorge
In the same week, on the winemaking side, North Canterbury winery, Greystone Wines‘ Georgia Mehlhopt won the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year. The Young Winemaker national final was held on 27 August at Foley’s The Runholder in Martinborough and the Young Viticulturist national final was held at Escarpment the following day. Both winners were announced at Te Papa on Thursday August 29 at the wine industry’s Altogether Unique celebration organised by New Zealand Winegrowers.
It is also worth noting that Katie Cameron from Ata Rangi came in second place at the Young Winemaker national final, and Anna Kelland of Constellation Brands was correspondingly the runner-up in the Young Viticulturist final.
“It’s exciting to see so many talented future leaders coming through in both winemaking and viticulture … they are very ambitious, and their passion and enthusiasm rubs off on everyone involved with the programs – it’s a really positive environment.”
So said Nicky Grandorge, leadership and communities manager at New Zealand Winegrowers and national co-ordinator
This Article was originally published on The Real Review
