Nick McArthur from Tiki Wines has been named 2024 North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
The 25-year-old operations manager at Tiki Wines claimed the title at the regional competition held at Waiata Vineyards in Waipara on July 18.
Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone took second place. The other contestants, Louis Szigetvary and Piper Eder, also from Tiki Wines, walked away with section prizes as well.
“What a talented young bunch,” the judges said. “It’s great to see the passion and expertise in these young people as they embark on their careers in viticulture.”
The young vits were tested on a wide range of topics including pruning, irrigation, machinery, trellising, pest and disease, wine tasting and undertaking an interview.
There were cash prizes for the winners, as well as other section prizes.
In addition to taking out the overall title, McArthur also won the Ecotrellis trellising section and the BioStart Hortisports race. Mehlhopt won the best speech as well as an NZSVO educational trip for coming second. Szigetvary won the best pruning prize and Eder was awarded the Ormond Professional Reputation Award.
McArthur will head to Escarpment for the 2024 National Final on August 28 when regional winners from around the country will compete for the overall title of 2024 Young Viticulturist of the Year.
