2024 Marlborough Young Winemaker announced
Nick Lamain from VinLink has been named the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year following the competition held on 31 July at MRC and NMIT in Blenheim.
“I’m absolutely stoked,” said Nick who was competing for the third time and was one of the first to get his entry form in this year, showing his determination to take out the title.
Ellie Hobbs from Rose Family Estate placed second and Ruby McManaway from Yealands came third.
The other contestants were Alessandro Carraro from Spy Valley; Lewis Davidson and Dingying Jiang from Cloudy Bay; Lan Zhang from Pernod Ricard; Michael Hix from Yealands; and Zack Andrews from Hunter’s.
Nick Lamain of VinLink is named 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year.
The young winemakers were asked to judge six 2019 Marlborough Chardonnays as if on a wine show judging panel. They were then tasked with creating a low alcohol Sauvignon Blanc, running laboratory tests on their blend to ensure all legal requirements were covered and then presenting it to a panel, and justifying their blend as a winning wine for the UK market.
The contestants were also tested on fault finding, a cellar challenge, general winemaking knowledge and undertaking an interview. Finally, they delivered speeches to the large wine industry audience at the Awards Dinner at the ASB Theatre in Blenheim.
Nick won a Fruitfed Supplies Field Trip and $1,000 cash. Ellie won $750 cash and an NZSVO Educational Trip for placing second and Ruby won $500 cash for third .
The Constellation Laboratory section was won by Alessandro Carraro from Spy Valley. The Indevin Wine Judging section went to Ruby McManaway, who also won the best Fruitfed Supplies Speech.
Nick will now represent Marlborough in the National Final at Foley’s The Runholder in Martinborough on 27 August. The national finalists will deliver their speeches at the Wine Business Forum at Te Papa on 29 August and the winner will be announced at the wine industry Celebration Dinner that night.
The finalists will compete for the prestigious title of the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year, and a prize package that includes a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, a chance to be an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards, and the opportunity to review wines in Drinksbiz magazine.
