Young Viticulturists Start Preparing For The 2026 Competitions

As the leaves in the vineyards turn to gold, Young Viticulturists around New Zealand are turning their focus to silver with the goal of raising their coveted regional trophy and ultimately the national trophy as the 2026 Ormond Nurseries New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year.

The competition has been running for twenty years, supporting over 250 Young Viticulturists, with many coming back year after year, such is their passion and determination to win the prestigious title.

This year’s regional competitions are set to run from 28 May to 2 July, culminating in the national final at Escarpment in Martinborough on 26 August.

“There is always a frisson of excitement as the new Young Viticulturist season begins,” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Development Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers. “The contestants, sponsors and organisers are all raring to go, and there is such a buzz as everyone comes together to support the future viticultural leaders of New Zealand.”

The competition dates are: 28 May – Marlborough; 4 June – North Island Regional, Wairarapa; 11 June – Hawke’s Bay; 18 June – South Island Regional, North Canterbury; 2 July – Central Otago, Cromwell.

The 2025 Young Viticulturist of the Year was Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands in Marlborough.

The competition is made possible by the generous sponsors: Ormond Nurseries, BioStart, Ecotrellis, Syngenta Biologicals, Constellation Brands, Empak, Fendt, Fruitfed Supplies, Indevin, Klima, Lowe, Waterforce, The New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology (NZSVO), and New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW).

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