Congratulations to Nick Lamain from Isabel Estate, who was crowned the 2026 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year following the competition held on 15 July at the Marlborough Research Centre (MRC) and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) in Blenheim.
“I’m thrilled,” said Nick, who has been studying hard in the build-up to the competition, determined to win this year’s competition. Nick also competed in the 2024 National Final and hopes his previous experience will stand him in good stead for this year’s finals. Dave Tyney, representing Tonnellerie de Mercurey, presented him with the trophy.
Congratulations also go to Katasha Pearce from Saint Clair Family Estate, who came second, and to Paiqi Cao from Indevin, who came third.
There were ten contestants, so it was a tough competition, however, there was a really positive vibe as they supported and encouraged each other throughout the day. They worked their way through a wide range of challenges, including blending, laboratory work, wine judging, presentations, an interview and general wine industry knowledge. The other contestants were Aoibheann O'Callaghan, Marisco; Briahana Adams, Constellation Brands; Erina Lim, Framingham; Jamie Howe, Nautilus Estate; Juan Bautista Fernandez, Te Pa; Michael Hix, Yealands; and Zoe Holcroft, Rose Family Estate.
The Constellation Brands Laboratory section was taken out by Jamie Howe and the Indevin Wine Judging section by Nick Lamain. Jamie Howe also won the best Fruitfed Supplies speech, fighting off stiff competition as all the contestants delivered speeches of a very high standard.
Katasha Pearce won the People’s Choice for her rosé blend, as voted by the dinner guests who tasted all the contestants’ blends blind.
The Awards Dinner was held at the Marlborough Conference Centre with Brian Bicknell from Mahi Wines keeping everyone on track as MC. Kelly Stuart from Cloudy Bay, Chair of the Marlborough Young Winemaker Committee, also acknowledged the high calibre of the contestants.
Nick won a Fruitfed Supplies Field Trip and $1,000 cash. Katasaha won $750 cash and a New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology (NZSVO) Educational Trip for coming second, and Paiqi won $500 cash for coming third.
Nick will now represent Marlborough in the National Final being held at Foley’s The Runholder in Martinborough on 25 August.
The finalists will compete not only for the prestigious title of the 2026 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, being an associate judge in the New World Wine Awards, attending the Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 conference plus the Organic Winegrowers Conference next year too.
The competition is made possible thanks to all the generous sponsors: Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Fruitfed Supplies, Constellation Brands, Indevin, Albatrans, FMG, Laffort, MCC Labels, Visy, Lallemand, Pacific Rim Oenology, NZSVO, New World, and DrinksBiz.
-Ends-
For further information contact:
Nicky Grandorge
Leadership & Communities Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers,
+64 21 780 948
Nicky.Grandorge@nzwine.com
View the Young Winemaker website here.
New Zealand Winegrowers' images can be found here.
EDITOR NOTES:
NEW ZEALAND WINEGROWERS
New Zealand Winegrowers is the national organisation for the country's grape and wine sector, with over 600 grower members, 700 winery members, and directly employing over 7,000 New Zealanders each year. nzwine.com
NEW ZEALAND WINE
New Zealand wine is exported to more than 100 countries
New Zealand produces just over 1% of the world’s wine
New Zealand wine is New Zealand’s eighth-largest export good
New Zealand wine exports for 2024 were $2.1 billion
View reports and statistics here