Latest news with #FruitfedSupplies
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Thalia Osborne Wins 2025 North Island Young Winemaker Of The Year
Congratulations to Thalia Osborne from Ash Ridge who was announced as the 2025 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year following the competition held on 24 July at EIT in Hawke's Bay. She is thrilled her hard work has paid off and earned her a place at the national finals. Congratulations also goes to Toby Priestley from Linden Estate in Esk Valley who came second. There were four contestants in total, the others being Mikaela Salmon from Ash Ridge and Caitlyn Moeller from EIT. All the contestants took out a section, highlighting their strong winemaking skills and knowledge. Amongst other sections, Thalia won the Indevin Wine Judging Section and the Fruitfed Supplies Best Speech. Caitlyn won the Constellation Brands Laboratory Section; Toby took out the Judges Choice and In Market sections where the contestants had to create a Bordeaux blend suitable for the US market and pitch it to a panel of judges; and Mikaela won the Vin Olympics which took place in front of a crowd at lunchtime. This was followed by a gourmet BBQ prepared by Fruitfed Supplies. As the overall winner, Thalia, won a Fruitfed Supplies Field Trip, wine storage with a Personal Cellar for a year and $1,000 cash. Toby won $750 cash, as well as other wine related prizes. Thalia will compete in the National Final at Lincoln University on 26 August. The national finalists will then deliver their speeches at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at Te Pae on 28 August, when the overall winner will also be announced. The finalists will compete not only for the prestigious title of the 2025 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year, but also an amazing prize package which includes a visit to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage) in Burgundy, be an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards and review wines in DrinksBiz magazine. There is also the opportunity for the finalists to win prizes for the Constellation Laboratory Section, the Indevin Wine Judging Section and the best Fruitfed Supplies Speech. The competition is made possible thanks to all the generous national sponsors: Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Fruitfed Supplies, Constellation Brands, Indevin, FMG, Lab Supply, Laffort, Tira Crown, Visy, Winejobsonline, New Zealand Winegrowers, New World, NZSVO and Pacific Rim Oenology.
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.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
James Sutcliffe Wins North Island Regional Young Viticulturist Of The Year
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.
