Clyde viticulturist takes Otago title

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Murray Petrie (McArthur Ridge) competes in the Markhams Central Otago Young Viticulturist of the Year competition, held in Cromwell on Saturday.He was placed third. Photo by Lynda Van Kempen.

He will compete in the national final of the contest, which forms part of the Romeo Bragato annual conference in Napier later this month.

Viticulturists were tested on their practical, theory and speech-making skills and even their ability to roll out the barrel.

The contest is in its fourth year and eight viticulturists vied for rights to represent Central Otago.

They were judged on practical tasks such as vine pruning, loading a truck using a forklift, and constructing trellis, plus they had to complete wine-tasting exercises, written tests on viticulture and plants, as well as deliver a speech.

A "hort sports" section proved popular, with competitors timed as they completed a series of practical tasks which included laying irrigation, nailing up wires and rolling a barrel over prunings.

It followed along similar lines to the agri-sports section in the Young Farmer of the Year contest.

"The first one finished isn't necessarily the winner of the hort sports; they'll be judged on how well they've done each of the challenges," contest organiser Raewyn Paviour said.

The overall event was a good test of all-round skills, she said.

"However, we do struggle a bit to get enough contestants that meet the age criteria; they have to be under 30, and most of our viticulturists around Central are older than that."

Len Ibbotson (Grape Vision) was second and Murray Petrie (McArthur Ridge) was third overall.