Sponsorships and Supporting the Industry 

Winejobsonline.com is all about people, and sponsorship is one way we love to celebrate the successes in New Zealand's wine industry. 

That's why we have selected a few very special areas to become involved in by way of sponsorships and industry support.  

Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year 

Congratulations to Kelsey Daniels from Vinlink Marlborough for taking out the title of Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year at the National Final last night in Auckland! Marlborough is so proud of you!

“Winning the national finals is honestly one of the best things to date in my career. The competition was really tough, the other contestants are at the top of their game and were such great competitors. This for me really confirms what I set out when I started in the wine industry, it's an amazing industry and dynamic group of people and I'm so proud to fly the flag for Marlborough.” to Kelsey Daniels from Vinlink Marlborough for taking out the title of Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year at the National Final last night in Auckland! Marlborough is so proud of you!

“Winning the national finals is honestly one of the best things to date in my career. The competition was really tough, the other contestants are at the top of their game and were such great competitors. This for me really confirms what I set out when I started in the wine industry, it's an amazing industry and dynamic group of people and I'm so proud to fly the flag for Marlborough.”

 

 

Young Viticulturist of the Year 2017.
 
Congratulations to Tim Adams from Obsidian for becoming Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year 2017! And also to Annabel Bulk from Felton Road who was Runner Up! Well done to all the finalists - fantastic competition! #nzyoungvit #nzwine

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing and suit

 

 

Young Viticulturist and Young Winemaker of the Year 2016 - winejobsonline.com sponsors/supports these events 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winner of 2016 Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year announced. Congratulations to Cameron Price from Villa Maria, Hawke’s Bay who is the Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year 2016.  After a tough final Price was thrilled to receive this prestigious reward on Thursday night at the Bragato Wine Awards.  “All that hard work paid off” he said. 

Cameron is the Vineyard Supervisor working on Villa Maria’s Ngakirikiri, Vidal and Twyford Gravels vineyards.  He has been there since May this year and is enjoying the challenges of his new position, supervising 60 hectares of vines. 

He is 26 years old and grew up in Palmerston North. Price comes from a family of plumbers but his passion for viticulture and wine led him to Hawkes Bay to study Viticulture at EIT in 2008.  He continues to study part-time as he furthers his career working full time learning and upskilling on the job as well. 

Price has achieved the hat trick for Hawke’s Bay as they have taken out the title for the last three years. Paul Robinson also from Villa Maria won it in 2014 and Caleb Dennis from Craggy Range in 2015. 

Congratulations also goes to Mike Winter from Amisfield who was runner up.  A great achievement doing Central Otago proud.  The other contestants Tim Adams, Brenton O’Riley and Mark Langlands all put up stiff competition in this tough National Final. 

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Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner! Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker 2016 Jordan Hogg of Seresin Estate!! 

Congratulations to Jordan Hogg from Seresin – the  Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker 2016.  The National Final was held on Tuesday 23 August at MRC and the winner was announced at the Bragato Wine Awards dinner on Thursday 25 August. 

Congratulations also goes to Alex Roper from Mission Estate, Hawke’s Bay who was the runner up.  Tom Hindmarsh and Matt Fox were the other finalists, also performing strongly throughout the competition. 

As part of the National Final the competitors had to prepare a project and give a thirty five minute presentation to three judges.  They were given one week to prepare this.  They also had to complete a laboratory and wine tasting module along with Capex and general winemaking knowledge modules. 

It was an exciting and challenging final and the Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker competition is set to grow again next year. This was the second year the competition has been run. 

Hogg took home not only the prestigious title but a $5000 travel grant, a place on WSET Level 2 course at NZSWS, a magnum of Ruinart Champagne and a beautiful, especially crafted mini Tonnellerie de Mercurey barrel.  He has also been invited to be an Associate Judge for the Bragato Wine Awards 2017. 

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Congratulations to Mark Langlands from Te Kairanga who became the Bayer Wairarapa Young Viticulturist of the Year 2016 on Thursday 28 July. 

Langlands also won the competition last year showing he is a consistently strong, bright young viticulturist.  However, he was unable to compete in the National Final in 2015 as he was overseas working a vintage in California.  He is therefore thrilled that he can go forward and represent the Wairarapa this year and is determined to bring the trophy back to the region.  

Competition was very tough at Te Kairanga, where the competition was held, so much so, that there was the unusual situation of an equal second placing.  Congratulations goes to Scott Lanceley from Craggy Range and Ben McNab-Jones from Urlar who achieved this great result.  Lanceley also came second last year and represented Wairarapa at the National Finals showing he has great viticultural knowledge and skills.  This is the first year McNab-Jones has entered the competition so is definitely someone to watch for the future.

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Congratulations again to Mike Winter from Amisfield (far right) for becoming Bayer Central Otago Young Viticulturist 2016! Congratulations also to Simon Gourley from Central Otago Wine Company for coming 2nd and Annabelle Bulk from Felton Road for coming 3rd! A great competition with a very high standard of contestants showing there is a great team of young viticulturists to continue pushing the boundary in Central Otago! 

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Congratulations to Jordan Hogg from Seresin for winning Marlborough Young Winemaker 2016.  The competition took place on 8 July at MRC in Blenheim where six contestants spent the day battling it out across various activities.  Hogg scored very strongly across the board showing a great degree of knowledge and professionalism.

Congratulations also goes to Matt Fox from Hyland Viticulture who placed second and Shelley Young from Delegat who came third. 

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Congratulations to Cameron Price from Villa Maria who became the Bayer Hawke’s Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year 2016 on Thursday 7 July.  Price was thrilled that the experience he had gained from having entered the competition twice previously and the hard work he put into preparing for this year finally paid off.  Most contestants enter several times before taking out the title and this is an important part of the competition as it builds confidence and skills along the way. 

Congratulations also goes to Anton Luiten from Selaks, Constellation who came second and to Jascha Oldham-Selak from Te Mata who came third.
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Congratulations to Brenton O'Riley for his great win in the Marlborough Region Bayer Young Viticulturist Competition!  Congratulations also to Libby Rainey from Villa Maria Estate for coming second and Jaimee Whitehead from Matua who came third! Well done to all contestants who entered and showed what great future viticultural talent there is in the Marlborough region. 

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Congratulations to Alex Roper from Mission Estate for winning Hawkes Bay Young Winemaker 2016.  The competition took place on 1 July at EIT in Taradale followed by dinner and contestants speeches at Mission Estate.    Yvonne Lorkin was the charming and entertaining MC who also ran the wine options section of the evening.  Congratulations also goes to Tom Hindmarsh from Dry River in Martinborough who came second (contestants from around the North Island were eligible to enter)  and Brad Frederickson from the Hawke's Bay Wine Company who came third! See the full media release on our News/Views/Tips page 

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Congratulations to Tim Adams from Mudbrick who became the Bayer Auckland/Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2016.  Although the national competition is now in its eleventh year, this is the first year Auckland has been added as a region to feed into the national final, so it was an exciting day for the north of the country.  See the full media release on our News/Views/Tips page 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young Vit 2016 contestants Robbie Golding, Mohit Sharma, Blake Tahapehi, Jake Dromgool, Tim Adams

 

 

 

 

 


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Congrats again to Caleb Dennis NZ Young Horticulturist of the Year 2015.

Congratulations to Caleb Dennis who took the title of Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year 2015. The standard of contestants was very high, with Matt Duggan from Marlborough, Scott Lanceley from the Wairarapa and Mike Winter from Central Otago all putting up stiff competition. Congratulations goes to Matt Duggan, from Cloudy Bay for being Runner Up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


2015 Young Viticulturist Caleb Dennis with his Spiegelau glasses from winejobsonline. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Congratulations to Hawke's Bay Winemaker, Lauren Swift of Ash Ridge, who took the inaugural title after she battled it out following three days of winemaking challenges at the Romeo Bragato conference.

Places in the Tonnellerie de Mercurey 2015 New Zealand Young Winemaker competition:
1st Lauren Swift, Ash Ridge Wines (Hawke's Bay)
2nd Abigail Maxwell, Babich Wines (Marlborough)
3rd Abby Gallagher, Mt Difficulty (Central Otago) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mark Langlands from Te Kairanga is the Bayer Wairarapa Young Viticulturist of the Year 2015.  It was a very close competition with  Scott Lancely from Craggy Range taking 2nd place and James Kenny from Martinborough Vineyards coming 3rd .  They all won cash prizes as well as wine glasses donated by Winejobsonline.

 


Marlborough  Congratulations to Matt Duggan from Cloudy Bay, the Bayer Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year 2015. Well done too to Brenton O'Riley, Giesen, who came 2nd & Anthony Walsh, Constellation, who came 3rd.

 


Young Winemaker - First second and third place winners in the Central Otago regionals. Congratulations Abby, Rohan and Chloe

 


Congratulations to Mike Winter from Amisfield who has just become the Bayer Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year 2015 and now goes through to the National Final. It was a very close competition with Annabel Bulk taking 2nd place and Cliff Wickham coming 3rd, both from Felton Road Vineyard.


 The Hawkes Bay regional comp of the Young Viticulturist of the Year was held on 2 July - congrats to Caleb Dennis, Craggy Range, winner; Anton Luiton 2nd and Will Krippner 3rd.

 

 


The Marlborough inaugural Young Winemaker of the Year heat was held July 2015. Congrats to Abigail Maxwell, Babich winner; Shelley Young, Delegat, 2nd; and Josh Hammond, Villa Maria, 3rd place. They are in the photo below:

 

 


Young Viticulturist of the Year 2014 - winejobsonline.com sponsors yet again. 

And here are the finalists of the Young Viticulturst of the Year competition being held 26 August in Marlborough. Wishing them good luck!

 

 

14 August: With just two weeks to go until the first regional rounds of Young Viticulturist of The Year 2014, this year’s competition is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet! Now in its ninth year Young Viticulturist of The Year will host a fourth regional competition for the first time with Wairarapa Winegrowers, joining Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and Central Otago.

Along with the growing scale of the competition, the prize package has gone up at notch too. The winner of the Young Viticulturist of the Year 2014 will not only leave the competition with a $5000 NZSVO travel prize, a Leadership week travelling around New Zealand meeting the industries established leaders, $2000 cash, and wine glasses supplied by winejobsonline but they will also be driving away in a brand new Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi A6 7 seater on a 12 month lease. “This now brings the prize package for the winner to over $20,000 worth of prizes. We are very excited that the prize package has grown this year, and think that this reflects the calibre of our competition. Many thanks to Hyundai and Fleetpartners for providing our competition with this prize.”

Previous winners:

2006: Marcus Wickham, Marlborough

2007: Emma Taylor, Hawkes Bay

2008: Simon Bishell, Marlborough

2009: Caine Thompson, Hawkes Bay

2010: Stuart Dudley, Marlborough

2011: Nick Paulin, Central Otago

2012: Braden Crosby, Wairarapa

2013: Matt Fox, Gisborne

 


First-Glass Wine Options July 2012

After 30 years in its current format, the First-Glass Wine Options final event was held on 1 July in Auckland with over 200 people swirling sipping and spitting (or not) their way through a dozen amazing wines.  Once again winejobsonline sponsored the trophy for the winning trade team.  Heather was thrilled to present it to the Hancocks team of Andrew Taylor, Gill Phelan, Lara Hoye and Kevin Short seen here below with Heather Battersby of winejobsonline (2nd from left). Congratulations everyone, and especially Kingsley Wood, convenor, with thanks for 30 marvellous years of Wine Options.

 



Inaugural Marlborough Wine Show, September 2011.

When we were asked to sponsor a trophy we opted for the Sweet Wine one and, guess what, the Forrest Estate Noble Riesling 2006 took out yet another trophy - how many is that for this wine?  8?  9?  no-one seems to know for sure.  One thing, Dr John Forrest was all smiles when he stepped up to receive it. What a great night, thanks Belinda Jackson, Competition Director, and Marlborough wine industry for your hospitality.

The Wine of the Show was, fittingly, a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - congratulations Invivo Wines.

 

 Dr John Forrest receives his trophy from Heather Battersby, winejobsonline.com


Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year 2011 - National Finals, 27 August 2011

So, it was Central Otago first, Hawkes Bay 2nd. And that's not wine this time, but the Young Viticulturists who competed this afternoon in a closely fought final at Auckland's Villa Maria Estate.  Nick Paulin from Peregrine and Paul Robinson Villa Maria Hawkes Bay were top two out of 5 in the final event of the 3-day Romeo Bragato Conference this year.

The other 3 finalists were Braden Crosby from Wairarapa, James Bowskill from Jackson Estate Marlborough and Hannah (?) from Auckland (Villa Maria).  Family and friends and a (very) few from the industry were there to support the contestants and it was nice to be there to see the winners announced and the trophy presented by Sam Bassett of Markhams.

 James, Hannah, Braden, Nick, Paul. The Young Viticulturist trophy is made from a 45 year old vine from the original Corban nursery, Whenuapai.

Comment that I hope doesn't get me into trouble... Where were all the supporters? I know and understand that transport was an issue from the Bragato conference venue to Villa Maria Estate, I understand lots of delegates had headed home... but, there were only a handful of people there and these young viticulturists deserve more industry support - just to be there and see them, cheer them on, shake their hands for having a go - they are the future of our industry and it would have been super if there had been more industry folk there to see their enthusiam...  

Great to meet Nick's mum and dad, all the way from Invercargill to see their son take out the trophy. Cheers

 

 The finalists in the field - let the games begin!

Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year 2011 - Regional Competitions 

The regional competitions commenced on Friday 1 July with the Hawkes Bay event, and we have again supported the event by donating prizes of Spiegelau glassware to the winners.

Central Otago young viticulturists competed in their regional competition on Friday 15 July, with a sense of deja vu for those watching? Nick Paulin from Peregrine defended his title from last year, Michelle Dacombe of Felton Road was 2nd, and Dave Salmon from Kawarau Estate came third (as he was last year). Congratulations everyone.

In the photo below, from left to right:

 

Gael Laurie (organiser),  Michelle, Nick, Dave, and Martin Anderson (MC)


First results in - from Hawkes Bay Competition

Paul Robinson, a technical officer working with Villa Maria Estate, retained his Young Viticulturist title. Third-time entrant, Paul, 24, took out the award on Friday against four other local wine industry hopefuls, and another representing Wairarapa.

He will now represent the region at the national Markhams Young Viticulture of the Year Competition on to be held in Auckland on 27 August as part of the 2011 Romeo Bragato conference.

Second place getter was Marj Hurley, 26, also from Villa Maria Estates, who took out the Biostart Horty Sports section. Johnny La Trobe secured third place with wins in the Fruitfed trellising section, Harvest Hawke's Bay pruning section, and Skeltons vineyard management section.

Wairarapa's Braden Crosby, 29, won the Markhams budgeting round, Vineyard Plants section and the Pernod Ricard general knowledge quiz. Braden will be competing against Paul again at the national final.


from left to right. Hamish Pringle, Markhams, Jonny La Trobe, Sacred Hill (placed 3rd), Tyler McComb, Craggy Range, Jeffrey Farrell, Delegats, Marj Hurley, Villa Maria (placed 2nd), Braden Crosby - Wairarapa Contestant, Paul Robinson, Villa Maria (1st place)

First-Glass Wine Options 2011

The 29th Wine Options was held on Sunday 26 June, with winejobsonline.com sponsoring the award for the winning trade team - this year won by Treasury Wine Estates - The Big Bad Wolf & Three Squealing Pigs, who were also placed 4th overall.  Congratulations to Lisa Powell, Lizzie Grisdale, Rowan Hall and Damian Archbold.  Enjoy your champagne, and the kudos.


Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year 2010 - National Final, August 2010

We were thrilled to be in Marlborough on 28 August to watch the finals of the Young Vit competition - albeit in very muddy conditions.  And, at the Bragato Wine Awards dinner, local chap Stuart Dudley from Delegat's was announced the winner in front of a very happy home crowd.  Congratulations!  And also to Nick Paulin, runner up.


Regional Competitions 2010

For several years, winejobsonline.com has given glassware to the placegetters in the regional (and national) competitions.  We love celebrating the success of young wine people and are thrilled to be able to announce the 2010 results.

Marlborough's Young Vit winner was - again - Stuart Dudley of Delegat's.  And, again as in 2009, Nick Wright also of Delegat's was runner up.  Jacqueline Maclaurin of Wither Hills took 3rd place.  


Stuart Dudley, Marlborough's Young Viticulturist of the Year Winner 2011

The Central Otago regional competition was held on Friday 16 July - and the winners are!:

1st - Nick Paulin ; 2nd - Duncan Gibson; 3rd - David Salmon

 
David, Nick and Duncan

The annual round of the Markhams Young Viticulturist of the Year Awards got underway in Hawkes Bay on Friday 25 June.  winejobsonline.com again sponsored glassware to the winners:  

1st Paul Robinson Villa Maria Estate 
2nd Johnny La Trobe Sacred Hill 
3rd Nick Otto Delegats    

Matt Fox from Gisborne came fourth and qualified for the Nationals on behalf of his region.

Regional comps for Marlborough and Central Otago are to be held over the next few weeks with the final being held in Marlborough at the Bragato Conference, 28 August.

 

Young Viticulturist of the Year 2008 and 2009

winejobsonline.com were sponsors of the regional competitions in 2008 so we had lots of happy winners who seemed pleased to receive their glassware gifts. We've done the same thing in 2009 - for Central Otago, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, and Wairarapa regional winners.

Congratulations
to
Stuart Dudley - Delegat's (1st), Nick Wright - Delegat's (2nd) and Simon Clark - Clark Viticulture (3rd) in Marlborough;

Mike Wing - Alex Paddocks (1st), Len Ibbotson - Grape Vision (2nd) and Murray Petrie - McArthur Ridge (3rd) for Central Otago;

and from Hawkes Bay Caine Thompson - Mission Estate (1st), Tony Verry - Grower (2nd) and Paul Robinson - Villa Maria (3rd);

with Charles Simmons representing Martinborough. 

Well done everyone, and good luck to the regional winners for the National Final held in conjunction with Bragato, 22 August.



Wine New Zealand 2008

winejobsonline.com is delighted to be sponsoring the Buyer's Choice Winemaker award at Wine New Zealand 2008. Another great way we can show our support for the achievements of the people in our industry. We look forward to the announcement of the winner on 2 September 2008.



Young Viticulturist of the Year Award - 2007

AND THE WINNER IS:.............. Congratulations Emma Taylor, Villa Maria Viticulturist, on your achievement, and good luck for the Young Horticulturist of the Year award to be held in November 2007.   (which she won, by the way!!)

Emma Taylor, Young Viticulturist of the Year 2007 with Heather Battersby

L - R Regional Winners Nigel Sowman, Pip Wither, Emma, Charles Simons

www.winejobsonline.com was one of the sponsors for the regional and national finals of the 2007 competition and donated a trophy made from a vine kindly provided by Bruce Corban and planted by his late father Joe more than 20 years ago. Congratulations to Nigel Sowman (Marlborough), Pip Wither (Central Otago), Emma Taylor (Hawkes Bay) and Charles Simons (Wairarapa) regional finalists, as they battle it out for the National award on 25 August 2007. Grateful thanks to Spiegelau glassware and wotif.com for their sponsorship support of this event.

Young Viticulturist of the Year trophy


More free Beer for Students... - 2007.

After the success of the beer tasting at Hallertau Brewery in 2006, www.winejobsonline.com sponsored the 2007 final year students from Lincoln University to a tour and tasting in August 2007. Brewer Stephen Plowman again showed off his finest beers - and brewery - and a good time was had by all. After visiting more than a dozen wineries in four days, the students were all wined out so a few ice cold beers hit the right spot.

Pictured enjoying a few quiet beers at Hallertau Brewbar in August 2007 are, L to R - Spencer Spetnagel, Alice MacKenzie,
Mike Morley-Bunker (Lincoln University Senior Lecturer) Stephen Plowman (Hallertau Brewer),
Heather Battersby (www.winejobsonline.com), Katrina Sutherland (Nobilo Wine Group), William Dean, Gavin Clements,
Angela Ronald (Babich Wines)

Lincoln University Visit to Auckland, Beer tasting at Hallertau Brewery - 2006.

It was Cheers and beers all round when final year students and tutors from Lincoln University's Viticulture and Oenology Department headed North on their annual tour of Hawkes Bay and Auckland wineries. And winejobsonline.com came to the party by sponsoring a visit to Hallertau Brewbar in Riverhead, West Auckland. Brewer Stephen Plowman conducted a tasting of his boutique beers and the students gave their palates a rest from a week's winetasting with a glass or two of their favourite. Who says there's no such thing as free beer? (And Hallertau is a fabulous place to drink it - Go there and try it for yourself!)

Lincoln uni beer tasting

L - R: Vicky Bennett, Becs Cope, Stephen Plowman (Hallertau Brewer), Heather Battersby, (winejobsonline.com), Janey Fisher, Kirsten Creasy (Senior Tutor, Oenology, Lincoln University)