The Shout Magazine (New Zealand)

The winner of delayed 2021 Young Winemaker of the Year competition is…

Ben McNab

Ben McNab from Palliser Estate in Wairarapa has become the 2021 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker.

The 2021 National Final was postponed several times due to the pandemic but finally went ahead on 22 June, 2022, at Amisfield winery in the Pisa Ranges near Cromwell, Central Otago.

The other two finalists were Jordan Moores Valli from Central Otago and Peter Russell from Matua in Marlborough.

This was the first time the Young Winemaker National Final was held in Central Otago and also the very first time someone from Wairarapa has won the competition.

The finalists undertook a wide range of challenges including laboratory skills, wine industry knowledge, CAPEX, wine judging and an interview.

This programme supports emerging Young Winemakers, helping them upskill, widen their network and give them a platform to share their ideas for the future.

Ben won a prize package including a travel grant to visit the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy and the opportunity to be an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards.

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