The New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year competition was launched in 2006 with the aim of supporting and growing future viticultural leaders in the New Zealand wine industry. Ormond Nurseries Ltd has been involved as a sponsor since the very first competition 20 years ago.
Owned and run by the Wickham family, the Marlborough-based nursery is New Zealand’s oldest grafted grapevine nursery with over 40 years of experience in producing high-quality, certified vines and rootstocks. Marcus Wickham, GM at Ormond Nurseries, was also the inaugural New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year back in 2006.
“This makes the partnership very special indeed” says Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers. “We are hugely grateful to Ormond Nurseries for their 20 years of sponsorship and very excited to have them step up as our new Naming Rights sponsor. It’s a wonderful endorsement of the competition, its success in growing future leaders, and the strong community spirit around it.”
In 2020, Ormond Nurseries introduced the Ormond Nurseries Professional Reputation Award to the competition, further stretching contestants as they consider their overall conduct and leadership qualities. “It shines a light on the softer skills, which are often just as important as the knowledge-based or technical questions.” says Sam Wickham, who often judges at the competitions.
In the challenging current economic climate, Ormond Nurseries, like everyone, is affected and has to tighten their belts and get lean. However, they very much believe in a strong future for the wine industry, and investing in its talented and passionate people is more important than ever during such times.
“Now is the time to draw on two decades of Young Viticulturist success and continue moving forward with purpose by staying positive, giving back, and offering support by investing in pathways for the next generation. Working together is the greatest strength we have as an industry,” says Marcus.
The regional competitions will run throughout June and July 2026, followed by the national final in August 2026. The 2026 Ormond Nurseries Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced at the annual New Zealand Wine Celebration Dinner on 27 August 2026.
-Ends-
For further information contact:
Nicky Grandorge
Leadership & Communities Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers,
021780948
Nicky.Grandorge@nzwine.com
View the Young Viticulturist 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 sixth largest export good
- New Zealand wine exports for 2024 were $2.1 billion
- View reports and statistics here