Lecturers ‘walk the talk’ at Otago Polytechnic

Media release from Otago Polytechnic
28 October 2010

Lecturers ‘walk the talk’ at Otago Polytechnic

Otago Polytechnic is celebrating its award-winning educators after three lecturers scooped top industry awards for their delicious wine and olive oil.

The three Life Science lecturers - Roger Gibson and Trevor and Sue McNamara – all teach at the Polytechnic’s Central Otago Campus while also reaping the rewards of their own home-grown businesses.

Horticulture and Viticulture lecturer Roger Gibson and wife Jean won the Champion Pinot Noir Trophy over 250 others for their Lowburn Ferry ‘Home Block’ Pinot Noir 2009 at the New Zealand International Wine Show. The wine also won a gold medal at the recent Bragato wine awards and received a 5-star rating from leading New Zealand wine critic Bob Campbell.

Horticulture lecturer Trevor and his wife Sue took silver for their ‘Poverty Gully’ boutique blend of Frantoio and Leccino oil at the 2010 Olives New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards. The couple, who grow the olives at their property in Bannockburn, also won gold for their olive oil at last year’s awards.

Mr Gibson said he was “stunned” to hear that his ten-year established business was awarded the prestigious title at New Zealand’s largest wine show.

“I teach two days at week at Otago Polytechnic and spend the remainder of the time at Lowburn Ferry. The benefit of that for the students is that I’m in the unique position of being able to deliver a more ‘hands-on’ experience to the viticulture students,” he said.

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