Top winemaker books NZ finals
WINE: Sacred Hill’s Alena Kamper has been crowned North Island Young Winemaker of the Year
Alena Kamper, of Sacred Hill in Hawke’s Bay, took out the title of 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year in the competition held at Indevin’s Gimblett Gravels winery last month.
The 22-year-old performed strongly across a wide range of tasks, which included blending, wine market knowledge, cellar skills, wine tasting and an interview.
Congratulations also go to Casey Mackintosh, of Indevin, who was second, and Frances Robertson-Best from Te Mata, who placed third.
All contestants showed good winemaking knowledge and skills, and all of them won at least one section. They were Charlotte Ross, Craggy Range; Chresten Bjarnesen, Mission Estate; Leigh O’Connor, Sileni; and Thalia Osborne, Ash Ridge Wines.
The awards dinner was held at Brookfields Winery, where the contestants delivered their Fruitfed speeches, debating hot topics for the wine industry.
It was a special occasion because the Brookfields Winery restaurant had reopened only a few days before, following months of recovery work after Cyclone Gabrielle. Guests were
delighted with the beautiful setting and outstanding meal served.
Kamper won $1000 cash, premium wines, a Dale Carnegie leadership course, and an educational trip sponsored by Fruitfed Supplies that will take place early next year.
She will now represent the North
Island in the national final on October 31 at The Bone Line in Waipara, North Canterbury, with the opportunity to win even more prizes.
Apart from being crowned the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, the national winner will take home an amazing prize package that includes a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, being an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards and review wines in DrinksBiz magazine. There is also the opportunity to win the HillebrandGori best presentation.