Alun Kilby from Marisco has been named the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year.
Thomas Jordaan from Vavasour came second and Ruby McManaway from Yealands was third.
For the first time, there were 10 contestants competing in the Marlborough regional competition.
“It’s exciting to see how many aspiring Young Winemakers want to stretch themselves and start making a name for themselves,” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers.
The other contestants were Ashley Robinson from Spy Valley, Joyce Zhu from Villa Maria-Indevin, Kaitlin Smid from The Wine Studio, Nick Lamain from VinLink and Cameron Steel from Nautilus Estate.
The aspiring Young Winemakers were tested on many aspects of wine production, including a cellar challenge, laboratory tests, blending, fault finding, blind-tasting, marketing, wine knowledge and wine-tasting, as well as giving a speech at the dinner.
Alun, 28, will compete in the National Final on 3 November at Kim Crawford Winery in Marlborough.
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