Damon Lovell Wins 2025 Central Otago Regional Young Viticulturist Of The Year
'I'm absolutely rapt' says Damon, 'and determined to do Central Otago proud at the nationals.'
Congratulations also go to Felix Jordan from Gibbston Valley Winery, who came second, and Matt Hurnen from Rippon Vineyard, who came third, both taking out some of the challenging sections through the course of the day.
The other contestants were Christi Schofield from Lowburn Ferry, Maddy Gamble from Felton Road Wines, Savannah McGhie from Burn Cottage, and Lucas Besnard from Vela Wines. The judges were impressed with the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm of all the contestants.
Felix Jordan won both the BioStart Hortisports race and the Ecotrellis trellising section. Savannah McGhie received the Ormond Professional Reputation Award for her positive interaction with everyone throughout the day and stretching herself outside her comfort zone.
The contestants rotated around various challenges, including irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease, first aid, budgeting, machinery, pruning, wine tasting, and undertaking an interview.
A large, wine industry crowd gathered at lunchtime to cheer on the contestants during the BioStart Hortisports race before enjoying a Fruitfed Supplies BBQ.
The contestants finally delivered their speeches at the Awards Dinner held at Carrick, where guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal accompanied by fine New Zealand wines.
Damon will now go through to represent Central Otago at the 2025 national final at Greystone in Waipara on 27 August. In the 20 years of the competition, Central Otago has brought home the national trophy four times – will Damon be the fifth? The 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will then be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on 28 August.
The national finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some great prizes, including a $6,000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a Leadership Week, and tickets to the Cool Climate Symposium. A BioStart Hortisports winner will also be announced, along with other cash prizes.
The competition is made possible thanks to the following generous sponsors: BioStart, Ecotrellis, Ford, Fruitfed Supplies, Agritrade, Clemens, Constellation Brands, Delegat, Empak, Fendt, Indevin, Klima, Ormond Nurseries, Roots, Shoots & Fruits, Waterforce, NZSVO, New Zealand Winegrowers, and Winejobsonline.
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Scoop
04-07-2025
- Scoop
Damon Lovell Wins 2025 Central Otago Regional Young Viticulturist Of The Year
Press Release – New Zealand Winegrowers Congratulations also go to Felix Jordan from Gibbston Valley Winery, who came second, and Matt Hurnen from Rippon Vineyard, who came third, both taking out some of the challenging sections through the course of the day. Damon Lovell (Photo/Supplied) Congratulations to Damon Lovell, Vineyard Manager at Carrick, who took out the title of 2025 Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year. The competition took place on 3 July at Otago Polytechnic's Central Campus in Bannockburn. 'I'm absolutely rapt' says Damon, 'and determined to do Central Otago proud at the nationals.' Congratulations also go to Felix Jordan from Gibbston Valley Winery, who came second, and Matt Hurnen from Rippon Vineyard, who came third, both taking out some of the challenging sections through the course of the day. The other contestants were Christi Schofield from Lowburn Ferry, Maddy Gamble from Felton Road Wines, Savannah McGhie from Burn Cottage, and Lucas Besnard from Vela Wines. The judges were impressed with the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm of all the contestants. Photo/Supplied Felix Jordan won both the BioStart Hortisports race and the Ecotrellis trellising section. Savannah McGhie received the Ormond Professional Reputation Award for her positive interaction with everyone throughout the day and stretching herself outside her comfort zone. The contestants rotated around various challenges, including irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease, first aid, budgeting, machinery, pruning, wine tasting, and undertaking an interview. A large, wine industry crowd gathered at lunchtime to cheer on the contestants during the BioStart Hortisports race before enjoying a Fruitfed Supplies BBQ. The contestants finally delivered their speeches at the Awards Dinner held at Carrick, where guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal accompanied by fine New Zealand wines. Damon will now go through to represent Central Otago at the 2025 national final at Greystone in Waipara on 27 August. In the 20 years of the competition, Central Otago has brought home the national trophy four times – will Damon be the fifth? The 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will then be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on 28 August. The national finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some great prizes, including a $6,000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a Leadership Week, and tickets to the Cool Climate Symposium. A BioStart Hortisports winner will also be announced, along with other cash prizes. The competition is made possible thanks to the following generous sponsors: BioStart, Ecotrellis, Ford, Fruitfed Supplies, Agritrade, Clemens, Constellation Brands, Delegat, Empak, Fendt, Indevin, Klima, Ormond Nurseries, Roots, Shoots & Fruits, Waterforce, NZSVO, New Zealand Winegrowers, and Winejobsonline. Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Scoop
Damon Lovell Wins 2025 Central Otago Regional Young Viticulturist Of The Year
Congratulations to Damon Lovell, Vineyard Manager at Carrick, who took out the title of 2025 Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year. The competition took place on 3 July at Otago Polytechnic's Central Campus in Bannockburn. 'I'm absolutely rapt' says Damon, 'and determined to do Central Otago proud at the nationals.' Congratulations also go to Felix Jordan from Gibbston Valley Winery, who came second, and Matt Hurnen from Rippon Vineyard, who came third, both taking out some of the challenging sections through the course of the day. The other contestants were Christi Schofield from Lowburn Ferry, Maddy Gamble from Felton Road Wines, Savannah McGhie from Burn Cottage, and Lucas Besnard from Vela Wines. The judges were impressed with the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm of all the contestants. Felix Jordan won both the BioStart Hortisports race and the Ecotrellis trellising section. Savannah McGhie received the Ormond Professional Reputation Award for her positive interaction with everyone throughout the day and stretching herself outside her comfort zone. The contestants rotated around various challenges, including irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease, first aid, budgeting, machinery, pruning, wine tasting, and undertaking an interview. A large, wine industry crowd gathered at lunchtime to cheer on the contestants during the BioStart Hortisports race before enjoying a Fruitfed Supplies BBQ. The contestants finally delivered their speeches at the Awards Dinner held at Carrick, where guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal accompanied by fine New Zealand wines. Damon will now go through to represent Central Otago at the 2025 national final at Greystone in Waipara on 27 August. In the 20 years of the competition, Central Otago has brought home the national trophy four times – will Damon be the fifth? The 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will then be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on 28 August. The national finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some great prizes, including a $6,000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a Leadership Week, and tickets to the Cool Climate Symposium. A BioStart Hortisports winner will also be announced, along with other cash prizes. The competition is made possible thanks to the following generous sponsors: BioStart, Ecotrellis, Ford, Fruitfed Supplies, Agritrade, Clemens, Constellation Brands, Delegat, Empak, Fendt, Indevin, Klima, Ormond Nurseries, Roots, Shoots & Fruits, Waterforce, NZSVO, New Zealand Winegrowers, and Winejobsonline.
Otago Daily Times
26-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Rain cannot ‘dampen' festival enthusiasm
Dunedin Midwinter Carnival installation assistant Adele Cleverley takes a five-minute break as lanterns are installed at First Church in Moray Pl for today and tomorrow's carnival. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival will not let the forecast wet weather "dampen" an amazing event this weekend. Today and tomorrow, First Church is set to be transformed into a glowing display of everything fantastical and winged as the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival returns. However, this weekend, a deluge of rain is forecast to hit Dunedin. There was a possibility for warning amounts of rain to accumulate in Dunedin and north Otago tomorrow. Carnival marketing manager Jess Covell said it was not going to let a little rain "dampen what [was] going to be an amazing couple of evenings". "It is still forging ahead as far as I'm aware — but it won't be the first time that it's rained, and I'm sure it won't be the last time." The first time the carnival moved to First Church, it had rained, and it just meant some displays had needed to be moved indoors or canned, but the night was just as good as always, she said. The theme of the festival this year is Wings of Wonder, which would feature New Zealand native birds, mythical creatures that soared through the sky and small critters such as the classic butterfly. "There's an incredible dragon that's been made to breathe smoke; that has taken hundreds of hours of time to do." This year, the carnival collaborated with third-year design students from the Otago Polytechnic who had created a series of exciting interactive installations. One of the installations was made to align with the Puaka Matariki Festival. People would be able to write their wishes for the new year upon a star they had hand-made, and then to post it to the corresponding Matariki star that it related to. "[The students have] done a really incredible job, and it was such a joy to work with them ... I think they got a lot out of it as well."
