Bayer Auckland/Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year 2017 announced

Date: 06.07.2017

The winner of the Bayer Auckland/Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year and two runners up were announced at Goldie Estate, Waiheke

On Friday 30 June, Tim Adams from Obsidian took the Bayer Auckland/Northern Young Viticulturist of the Year award for the second year in a row.

Runner up went to Jake Dromgool from The Landing in Kerikeri, and third place to Nick Pett from Cable Bay.

Last year the Auckland/Northern region was added to the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition, growing the competition in its second year with seven new contestants taking part.

Adam Yukich, Villa Maria; Matt Dixon, Te Motu; Pietro Aliosi, Marsden Estate and Robbie Golding, Mudbrick, were the other contestants involved. Waiheke had beautiful weather this year compared to last year’s muddiest and wettest young vit competition on record.

The contestants were rotated around, being asked questions and given challenges that tested their wide range of viticultural skills including pruning, netting, tractor maintenance, pests and diseases, budgeting, nutrition and trellising. They also had an interview and a quick fire buzzer round.

The BioStart Hortisports race was a highlight of the day, where contestants undertook numerous challenges head to head amongst the vines. The race was tough, bu enjoyed by both spectators and contestants.

The day ended with a well-deserved dinner at the Goldie restaurant. Speeches were given by all contestants to around one hundred members of the Auckland/Northern wine industry as their final task of the day.

The MCs were Simon Nunns and James Rowan, winemakers at Coopers Creek and West Brook respectively, who kept the audience entertained throughout the evening.

Since winning, Tim is expected to compete in the upcoming National Final in August which is held in conjunction with Bragato, this year in Marlborough. The winners from Marlborough, Central Otago, Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa will be his competition.

The national winner will win the title of Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year, as well as $2000 cash, a $5000 AGMARDT travel scholarship, a Hyundai Santa Fe for an entire year, wine glasses and a leadership week where they meet some of the top leaders in the New Zealand wine industry. They will also represent the wine industry in the Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition.

The next regional competition is Marlborough on Thursday, 6 July at Giesen, Wallace Vineyard, Stump Creek Lane.

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