Alena Kamper wins Young Winemaker of the Year

Alena Kamper from Sacred Hill in Hawke’s Bay has been named the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year. At just 22, she is the youngest person ever to win the prestigious title. 

The National Final was held at The Bone Line in North Canterbury on 31 October, with Kamper joined by fellow finalists Callum Haynes from Matua in Marlborough and Eliana Leal from Amisfield in Central Otago.

The trio were tested across a range of winemaking skills, such as blending, judging, tasting, laboratory skills and industry and export market knowledge.

For their final challenge, the finalists each delivered a speech at the Altogether Unique Wine Industry Celebration in Christchurch on 1 November, when the overall winner was announced.

Alena Kamper - winner of Young Winemaker of the Year 2023

As well as the overall title, Alena Kamper won the Fruitfed Supplies Best Speech and the Indevin Wine Judging Section.  Eliana Leal won the Best Hillebrand Gori presentation on AI in the wine industry, and for her laboratory skills. Callum Haynes won Best Interview and for his essay on how to make various Rosé styles. 

The judges were impressed not only with all the finalists’ winemaking skills, but also their passion and vision for the future of the New Zealand wine industry. “It is inspiring and exciting to see so many passionate and talented young winemakers coming through,” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers. “Our future is certainly in good hands.”

The finalists were thrilled to share the stage with wine industry fellows and pioneers at the Altogether Unique Wine Industry Celebration, as well as the wine industry’s internationally revered Oz Clarke OBE at the dinner.

As 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, Alena received a prize package that included $1,000 cash, a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey cooperage in Burgundy, the opportunity to be an associate judge in the 2024  New World Wine Awards, and to review wines in Drinksbiz magazine.