Image courtesy New Zealand Winegrowers Inc.

The annual New Zealand Winegrowers Mentoring Programme has begun, matching experienced and knowledgeable mentors with a mentee wanting to progress in the grape and wine industry. The programme is open to everyone in the New Zealand wine industry working in all roles including viticulture, winemaking, operations, laboratory, sales, marketing, cellar door and general management.

The mentors all volunteer their time, and over the years, New Zealand Winegrowers said the programme has seen “some real success stories”.

“It’s so uplifting to see people wanting to help others,” says Nicky Grandorge, leadership and communities manager at New Zealand Winegrowers, “and a true demonstration of how working together helps strengthen the New Zealand wine industry as a whole.”

One of the mentees of the 2023 programme said it boosted both their goals and their confidence, which led to them feeling more confident in their knowledge and capabilities and in turn helped them to achieve those goals.

“It was great to see the industry and world through the eyes of a younger person,” said one of the mentors from the 2023 programme. “They have a different perspective.”

The programme aims to grow networks and deepen relationships, which, along with the transfer of experience and knowledge, New Zealand Winegrowers said also helps to strengthen the wine industry as a whole.

The induction workshops, which are led by Fiona Fenwick, independent director and coach, took place mid-November at Spy Valley in Marlborough, and the pairs will now meet six times over the next few months.

The 2024 mentors are: Mike Horton, Indevin; Mick Hudson, Nga Waka; Lesley Boon, Pernod-Ricard; Patricia Miranda-Taylor, Wither Hills; Matt Patterson-Green, Benton Wines; Peter McLeod, Farmgate; and Rachel Petrie, Otago Polytechnic.

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