Alena Kamper from Sacred Hill in Hawke’s Bay has won the title of 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year, following the competition held at Indevin’s Gimblett Gravels winery.

The 22-year-old performed strongly across the wide range of tasks, which included blending, wine market knowledge, cellar skills, wine tasting and an interview. 

Casey Mackintosh from Indevin placed second and Frances Robertson-Best from Te Mata came third. 

Organisers say that the other contestants also showed good winemaking knowledge and skills with all of them winning at least one section. They were Charlotte Ross, Craggy Range; Chresten Bjarnesen, Mission Estate; Leigh O’Connor, Sileni; and Thalia Osborne, Ash Ridge Wines.

The awards dinner was held at Brookfields Winery where the contestants delivered their Fruitfed speeches, debating hot topics for the wine industry. It was an extra special occasion as the Brookfields Winery restaurant had only re-opened a few days before following months of recovery work after Cyclone Gabrielle. 

Alena Kamper won $1,000 cash, premium wines, a Dale Carnegie leadership course and an educational trip sponsored by Fruitfed Supplies, which will take place early next year.

She will now represent the North Island in the National Final of the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year on 31 October at The Bone Line in Waipara, North Canterbury.