2022 NORTH ISLAND YOUNG WINEMAKER REVEALED

Douw Grobler from Trinity Hill in Hawke’s Bay has been named the 2022 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year. Congratulations to Tom Crosier from Craggy Range who was placed second and Jordan Robinson from Sacred Hill who came third. The other contestants were Jordyn Harper from Smith & Sheth in Hawke’s Bay, Gracie-rose Kay from Coopers Creek and Ashish Thakur from Villa Maria, both from Auckland. The competition tested aspects of wine production such as blending, blind tasting, marketing, wine knowledge and wine tasting. Contestants also gave a presentation with topics covering the future of wine writers, protecting and promoting New Zealand sparkling wine and whether it is time to legally define natural wine.