Latest news with #BioStartHortisports
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Sport
- 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. 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.
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 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
- Entertainment
- 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.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
James Sutcliffe Wins North Island Regional Young Viticulturist Of The Year
Press Release – New Zealand Winegrowers Congratulations to James Sutcliffe from Craggy Range, Wairarapa, who was crowned the 2025 North Island Regional Young Viticulturist of the Year on 12 June. This competition was open to contestants from Auckland, Northland, Gisborne, and Wairarapa. James represented Wairarapa in the 2024 national final and was delighted to take out the win for his region. Congratulations also to Braxton Benseman from Man O' War Vineyards on Waiheke Island, who came second, and Gagandeep Singh from Babich in Auckland, who came third, demonstrating their wide range of skills and viticultural knowledge. Erin Clark from Mudbrick on Waiheke and Daniell Hare from Indevin Gisborne also fared highly in some of the sections. 'We were impressed with the calibre and really positive attitude of all the contestants, who tackled each challenge with determination and a smile' says Adam Yukich, the Chair for this regional competition. Braxton also took out the Ormond Professional Reputation Award, impressing the organisers and judges with his willingness to help others and strong communication skills. James took out the Ecotrellis trellising prize, as well as the BioStart Hortisports, and Gagandeep won the best speech. The competition took place under the rainbows at Batch Winery on Waiheke, where the contestants rotated around various challenges including nutrition, pest and disease, budgeting, machinery, irrigation, pruning, and undertaking an interview. The contestants went head to head in the BioStart Hortisports, which was followed by a sausage sizzle provided by Fruitfed Supplies. The contestants finally delivered their speeches at the Awards Dinner, also held at Batch Winery, where guests enjoyed a range of local wines and a delicious meal in the restaurant by the fire. This makes two wins for Craggy Range, two weeks in a row, as Nick Putt from their Gimblett Gravels site won the Hawke's Bay competition last week. The 2025 National Final will be held at Greystone in Waipara on Wednesday, 27 August, and the 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on 28 August. The national finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some great prizes, including a $6000 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.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
James Sutcliffe Wins North Island Regional Young Viticulturist Of The Year
Press Release – New Zealand Winegrowers The competition took place under the rainbows at Batch Winery on Waiheke, where the contestants rotated around various challenges including nutrition, pest and disease, budgeting, machinery, irrigation, pruning, and undertaking an interview. Congratulations to James Sutcliffe from Craggy Range, Wairarapa, who was crowned the 2025 North Island Regional Young Viticulturist of the Year on 12 June. This competition was open to contestants from Auckland, Northland, Gisborne, and Wairarapa. James represented Wairarapa in the 2024 national final and was delighted to take out the win for his region. Congratulations also to Braxton Benseman from Man O' War Vineyards on Waiheke Island, who came second, and Gagandeep Singh from Babich in Auckland, who came third, demonstrating their wide range of skills and viticultural knowledge. Erin Clark from Mudbrick on Waiheke and Daniell Hare from Indevin Gisborne also fared highly in some of the sections. 'We were impressed with the calibre and really positive attitude of all the contestants, who tackled each challenge with determination and a smile' says Adam Yukich, the Chair for this regional competition. Braxton also took out the Ormond Professional Reputation Award, impressing the organisers and judges with his willingness to help others and strong communication skills. James took out the Ecotrellis trellising prize, as well as the BioStart Hortisports, and Gagandeep won the best speech. The competition took place under the rainbows at Batch Winery on Waiheke, where the contestants rotated around various challenges including nutrition, pest and disease, budgeting, machinery, irrigation, pruning, and undertaking an interview. The contestants went head to head in the BioStart Hortisports, which was followed by a sausage sizzle provided by Fruitfed Supplies. The contestants finally delivered their speeches at the Awards Dinner, also held at Batch Winery, where guests enjoyed a range of local wines and a delicious meal in the restaurant by the fire. This makes two wins for Craggy Range, two weeks in a row, as Nick Putt from their Gimblett Gravels site won the Hawke's Bay competition last week. The 2025 National Final will be held at Greystone in Waipara on Wednesday, 27 August, and the 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on 28 August. The national finalists will have the opportunity to compete for some great prizes, including a $6000 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.
