Now in its fifth year, the first of the regional finals will be held this week as the countdown begins to find the Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year 2019.

This year there will be three regional finals and the winner from each will go through to represent their region in the national final.

The North Island regional competition will be held on Thursday 1st August at EIT in Hawke’s Bay and is open to all emerging young winemakers in the North Island.

The Marlborough competition will be held on Wednesday 7th August at NMIT and the Central Otago competition on Thursday 15th August at VinPro in Cromwell.

The national final will take place on Tuesday 17th September at NMIT in Marlborough and the national winner will be announced the same evening at the awards dinner at Wither Hills.

The competition is tough and tests many of the key skills and knowledge required to become a top quality winemaker.

The competition is open to under 30 year olds involved in wine production and includes those working as cellarhands, laboratory technicians, assistant winemakers and winemakers. It is aimed at stretching the contestants, increasing their confidence, widening their networks and supporting them to grow and develop into New Zealand’s future leaders and winemakers.

Greg Lane from Foley Family Wines in Marlborough was the winner last year. Who will be the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year 2019?