Amisfield laboratory technician Eliana Leal (28) placed second and was named the Central Otago young winemaker of the year at the regional competition in Cromwell on October 6. 

The Central Otago competition, held at VinPro in Cromwell, is also open to contestants from North Canterbury and Waitaki. 

Greystone Wines’ assistant winemaker Georgia Mehlhopt won the regional competition and became the North Canterbury Young Winemaker of the Year. 

The two young women have previously worked together when Georgia was at Amisfield so are delighted to represent their respective regions together. 

Georgia, 27, moved to North Canterbury earlier this year to take up the role at Greystone.

Emma Bennet from Brennan Wines came third, and Theresa Woessner from Carrick won the obstacle race held at lunchtime - the Vin Olympics. 

Max Jong from Burn Cottage came joint first with Georgia in the wine assessment section and Georgia took out the speech section.

The judges were impressed with all the contestants who embraced the various challenges with professionalism and enthusiasm. 

The other contestants were Callum Scarborough from Felton Road, Joanne Irvine from Brennan Wines and Oscar Cao from Amisfield.

The young winemakers were tested on many aspects of wine production, including a cellar challenge, laboratory tests, blending, fault finding, blind tasting, marketing, wine knowledge and wine tasting, as well as giving a speech at the dinner.

Georgia won $1,000, Eliana $750 and both women also won an educational trip from sponsors. 

There were three regional finals this year (North Island, Marlborough, and Central Otago). 

Winners of each regional final go through to the national final which will be held on November 3 at Kim Crawford Winery in Marlborough.

Apart from being crowned the 2022 NZ Young Winemaker of the Year, the national winner wins a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, and a spot as an associate judge in New World’s Wine Awards.

The competition is in its seventh year and is open to those under 30 involved with wine production. This includes cellar hands, cellar managers, those working in the laboratory, assistant winemakers and winemakers

For more information see the competition details here.