Alena wins best young winemaker
Alena Kamper is the youngest person ever to win the prestigious national award
At just 22 years old, Sacred Hill’s Alena Kamper has become the youngest person ever to win the prestigious and coveted Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year title.
Initially nervous about entering, Kamper decided to take the plunge and work hard and it has paid off.
The national final took place at The Bone Line in North Canterbury on October 31, with the three finalists delivering their speeches at the Altogether Unique Wine Industry Celebration in Christchurch on November 1, when the overall winner was announced.
The other finalists were Callum Haynes from Matua in Marlborough and Eliana Leal from Amisfield in Central Otago.
Every contestant won sections of the event, highlighting how tough the competition was.
It also showed there are inspiring young people in the wine industry.
Kamper won the Fruitfed Supplies best speech and the Indevin Wine Judging Section.
Leal won the best Hillebrand Gori presentation on AI in the wine industry and for her laboratory skills.
Haynes won best interview and essay on how to make various rose´ styles. The judges were highly impressed not only with their winemaking skills but also with their passion and vision for the future of the New Zealand wine industry.
“It is inspiring and exciting to see so many passionate and talented young winemakers coming through,” says Nicky Grandorge, leadership and communities manager at New Zealand Winegrowers. “Our future is certainly in good hands.”
The finalists were also thrilled to share the stage with wine industry fellows and pioneers, as well as the internationally revered Oz Clarke OBE at the dinner.
Apart from being crowned the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, Kamper took home an amazing prize package, including $1000 cash, a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, the opportunity to be an associate judge in the 2024 New World Wine Awards and review some of her favourite wines in DrinksBiz magazine.
The competition is made possible by sponsors: Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Fruitfed Supplies, Indevin, Hillebrand-Gori, FMG, Laffort, New Zealand Winegrowers, Programmed Property Services, Tira Crown, Visy, New World, Winejobsonline, NZSVO and Pernod Ricard.