Eight young cellarhands had their winery operating skills and knowledge tested in a bid to claim the inaugural Central Otago Young Cellarhand of the Year title in Cromwell.
Contestants spent the day performing tasks based on the job, ending with a relay challenge where they raced to do everything from boxing bottles to carrying hoses.
It was designed to complement the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition, which focused more on vineyard operations.
Winner Simon Gourley has worked at Cromwell’s Central Otago Wine Company for eight months and worked on vineyards for more than five years before that.
"I think I did pretty well in the budgeting. Also, a lot of the general knowledge questions were about viticulture, so I wasn’t too bad at that."
Central Otago Winegrowers Association general manager Glenys Coughlan said it felt it was important to continue to create opportunities for young cellarhands and a local awards system was an effective way of recognising emerging talent.
"Not only in the viticulture profession, but also winemaking, and encouraging that talent to reach their full potential."
The event was sponsored by industry skills company Competenz, which created New Zealand’s first cellarhand qualifications in September last year.
As well as cash prizes for the top three places, all competitors received a first year free in the programme.
Organisers hope to link the competition with the New Zealand Winemaker of the Year competition, held as part of the Romeo Bragato conference in August.
