Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands has become the 2024 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year after a challenging competition held at Whitehaven in Rapaura. 

Liv Bishop from Delegats placed second and Laura Hammond from Babich came third out of a field of 10 contestants.

“Seeing three bright young women take out the top places highlights that viticulture is very much an exciting career option for both women and men,” says Nicky Grandorge, who heads up Young Viticulturist and Women in Wine as part of her role at New Zealand Winegrowers.

The young viticulturists were challenged in a range of areas, both practical skills and theory papers testing them on trellising, pruning, irrigation, machinery, pests and diseases, budgeting and sitting an interview.   

The contestants also delivered at the Awards Dinner that evening and had a quickfire quiz before the final scores were tallied. 

Anna Kelland will now go through to the National Final at Escarpment Vineyards in Martinborough on Wednesday 28 August to compete against representatives from other regions around the country.

The 2024 Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced at the Altogether Unique 2024 industry celebration at Te Papa on 29 August.