Request from boss pays off

Young cellarhand of the Year Simon Gourley competed against second place Abby Gallagher(left) and...
Young cellarhand of the Year Simon Gourley competed against second place Abby Gallagher(left) and third place Jade McCormick. Photo: supplied

It had not occurred to assistant winemaker Simon Gourley, of Clyde, to enter the inaugural Competenz Central Otago Young Cellarhand of the Year competition, he did so only because his boss asked him to.

However, entering turned out better than he expected.

"They didn’t have enough contestants. They needed eight," Mr Gourley said.

Even though he was "new to the winemaking side of things", he won the inaugural competition, which was held at VinPro Winery, Cromwell, on February 10.

Mr Gourley, who works for the Central Otago Wine Company, and the other contestants were required to complete eight sections: forklift driving, assembling a pump, first aid, wine tasting, budgeting, fault-finding, lab work and a quiz.

Abby Gallagher from Mt Difficulty Wines and Mr Gourley were tied for first place by the time they started the final module, the "Cellar Challenge", which included a series of tasks in a relay, but he won the challenge and the competition.

Jade McCormick, from Amisfield, was third.

Mr Gourley attended Lincoln College to study for a bachelor of viticulture and oenology degree, and worked for Two Paddocks vineyard before going overseas to work in Australia and to travel.

He previously won the 2013 Bayer Central Otago Young Viticulturist Competition.

He said he was delighted with the win, but had not realised that he had done so well until the organisers handed out participation certificates and he did not receive one.

"I had no idea I had won, but I thought I must have been in the top three [as I did not get a certificate]."

His employers were "stoked" that he had done so well and it reflected well on the business.

"One of the sections was on viticulture general knowledge and so it was an advantage having worked previously on vineyards," Mr Gourley said.

"Having that understanding of what goes on in the vineyard certainly helps when making the final wine.

"Being involved in the competition was a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to seeing what else is in store."

Central Otago Winegrowers’ Association general manager Glenys Coughlan was pleased with how the inaugural event went.

"We wanted to create an opportunity for our young cellarhands to further develop and enhance their skills and, based on feedback from the contestants, we feel that this event has certainly achieved that," she said.

Mr Gourley said he wanted to learn more about winemaking and gaining a more "wellrounded" knowledge of the process.

He was also hoping to make his own ferments.

"But we will see how that goes.

"The business is very good and I have got a bit of freedom.

"It was a good day, well organised, and a lot of fun, and I got to see how other people do in my position and what their knowledge is and it helped be find out where I fit in the industry with my skill levels."

The competition winner received a $1000 cash prize and all contestants will receive their first year free when they sign up for either the Level 3 or 4 New Zealand Certificate in Cellar Operations.

 

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