Annabelle Latz, Cellar Hand at New Zealand Wineries Ltd, Riverlands, Marlborough

 

Born, Bred, Schooled      
Born in Auckland... (my little secret.,... !) I moved to North Canterbury when I was two years-old. which is where I was raised. I went to High School at Rangi Ruru Girls' School.
 
First wine industry job       
This one! As a cellar hand at New Zealand Wineries Ltd in Riverlands, Marlborough, which I began in March. I also contribute regularly to the local industry magazine here in Marlorough called WinePress with various articles, and I have a monthly column on the day to day activities of being a cellar hand.
 
First real (full time) job (outside of school/uni holidays)   
As a journalist for The Star Newspaper and Selwyn Times, in Christchurch.
 
Career Highlight   
Being named Community Reporter of the Year at the national APN awards after my first year as a journalist.
 
Mentor/Influencer   
Jim Tully, the master mind behind the Graduate Diploma in Journalism course at the University of Canterbury.
 
Cat? Dog?     
Horse.. Zula my big stroppy warmblood/thoroughbred-cross mare who I adore. I sadly had to leave my two terriers back in Ireland when I moved home to New Zealand. 
 
Desert island wine and food      
Wine: A 'Lisa' Domaine des Aspras Merlot, named after my Great Auntie. Grown and produced at my cousins' winery in the Provence, Southern France, which my Great Uncle Gottefried set up in the early 1960's. Food: My mum's barbequed leg of lamb, accompanied by a giant salad with everything in it.
 
Dinner table companions, dead or alive    
Can I have five? Mick Jagger, Richie McCaw, Kim Hill, Dawn French and  Neil Finn.
 
Greatest achievement      
Putting 110% effort into every job and activity I'm doing at the time, reaping the best rewards and gaining the self confidence to get me to the great position I'm in now - a great mix of the wine industry and writing.
 
New Zealand wine industry needs...      
Continual innovation and communication from everyone in the wine industry to take it forward in the same direction.
 
If you weren't working in the wine industry in your current position, what would you be doing?   
I'd be a full time freelance writer in the wine and agricultural sectors.
 
Virtues    
Optimistic, open minded, community conscious.
 
Vices     
Far too much coffee, getting stroppy, trying to cram too much into a day hence never getting enough sleep.
 
One thing people might be surprised to learn about you?   
I worked as a groom in Ireland for two years for the Master of Laois Foxhounds... so spent two Irish winters chasing foxes on horseback. Great fun in the mud and rain!
 
If you had the day off tomorrow what would you like to do.     

Ride my horse, head into the hills for a hike or run, have yummy feasts with mates, read some good feature articles, and have a good strong whiskey!

Connections
FB:     Annabelle Latz (https://www.facebook.com/annabelle.latz)      
Web:  annabellelatz.blogspot.com
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