21-year-old Leon Henson from Heron’s Flight Vineyard will be competing for the title of 2021 Young Viticulturist of the Year.

An annual award, this is very first time we have a contestant entering from Matakana into the Auckland/Northern competition, which is very exciting. 

There are six regional competitions held in Auckland/Northern region, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough, South Island Regional and Central Otago. There are some amazing prizes to be won at both the regional and national competition.

The winners go through to the national final which is held in a different region each year. 2021 will be in Marlborough.

Leon will compete against 7 other Young Vits on Waiheke at Goldie Estate on Thursday 3^rd June. The other contestants are from Soljan’s in West Auckland and five from various Waiheke Island vineyards. 

Viticulturists plan, supervise and coordinate the growing of grapes for the production of wine. The Young Viticulturist of the Year is a tough competition, and the winners very much earn their titles. The contestants undergo both practical and theoretical challenges, covering all aspects of viticulture which include pruning, netting, machinery, pests and diseases, budgeting, nutrition, wine knowledge, trellising, as well as leadership skills. They go head-to-head in the BioStart Hortisports race, a quickfire buzzer round and also give a speech at the awards dinner. 

It is a tough but rewarding experience and the winner certainly earns the prestigious title of Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year. 

The NZ Young Viticulturist of the Year programme was established in 2006 with the aim of discovering and growing future viticultural leaders. It helps promote viticulture as an exciting career path and attract and retain talented young people to the industry. By running competitions as well as offering support, training and education we will have confident, professional and pioneering young viticulturists to lead the industry in years to come.

If you would like to go along and support Leon at the awards dinner, tickets are $95.00, and include a welcome drink and delicious Wild Estate buffet accompanied by fine, local wines.

Tickets are available HERE or for more information please contact Adam Yukich at [email protected] or phone 021 569 610.