Alun Kilby from Marisco in Marlborough has been named the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year.
Alun, 28, is Production Winemaker at Marisco and has worked in the New Zealand wine industry for 13 years.
Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone took out second place and is the first person from North Canterbury to compete in the National Final.
Four talented young winemakers from around the country competed at Kim Crawford winery in Blenheim, including Douw Grobler from Trinity Hill in Hawke’s Bay and Eliana Leal from Amisfield in Central Otago.
The finalists were stretched throughout the day as they were tested on their wine market knowledge and laboratory skills.
They had to prepare a plan for producing a premium single vineyard Pinot Noir, present their views on the best new innovations in the wine industry, undergo an interview, weigh up options for purchasing a new humidifier for a cellar and then expertly judge wines in a wine show setting.
Apart from becoming the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, Kilby won $1000 cash, a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey cooperage in Burgundy and will be an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards.
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