Viticulturist Wins NZ Title

News release: 10 November 2009

Mission Estate’s Caine Thompson competed with eight other candidates on Friday night (6 November 2009) to win New Zealand's Young Horticulturist of the Year 2009.

This comes straight after his success in the 2009 Markham’s New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year competition.

The competition was held in Auckland and included contestants from other horticultural fields including arboculture, pipfruit, vegetable, landscape architecture, nursery, amenity and cut flower industries. The candidates were awarded points based on a market innovations project, budget and report writing skills, interview, general questions on health and safety, soils, nutrition and a speech.

The prize pool totalled $40,000 and Mr Thompson walked away with the vast majority of the awards, including a generous travel allowance and leadership training scholarship.

“It is amazing to be recognised amongst my peers in other horticultural disciplines. And the opportunity to expand my viticultural experience abroad is hugely exciting,” said Mr Thompson.

Caine Thompson has been viticulturist at Mission Estate for four years and has been instrumental in developing sustainable production practices and other national projects. The viticultural and winemaking teams have made great strides in wine quality at Mission Estate, and this industry recognition of Mr Thompson’s knowledge and achievements validates this integrated approach.

For more information please visit the following website: http://http://www.missionestate.co.nz

ENDS

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