Winemaker Anna Kelland has won the 2025 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year for the second time.
NZ Winegrowers Association has congratulated Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands, who became the 2025 Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year on 29 May. This is the second consecutive year she has taken out the prestigious title. She said she was excited to represent Marlborough in the national finals again and determined to bring the national trophy home this year.
It also congratulated Laura Hammond from Babich, who came second, and Harry Watson from Berakah Vineyard Management, who came third.
Other awards went to Isaac Langley from Pecchenino Viticulture, who took out the Ecotrellis trellising trophy. Eilish Herrick from Jeremy Walsh Viticulture was awarded the Professional Reputation Award presented by Ormond Nurseries.
Kelland was also presented with the Geoff Warmouth cup for winning the BioStart Hortisports.
This year, ten contestants competed in the Marlborough competition, and they all impressed the judges with their passion for viticulture and ‘can-do’ approach, putting themselves out of their comfort zone but enjoying the experience along the way. The other contestants were Avril Malan, Dan Du, Lizzie McMullen, Eric Bryan, and Kris Godsall.
They were tested on a wide range of both practical and theoretical challenges, including trellising, pruning, irrigation, machinery, pest and disease, nutrition, budgeting, and sitting an interview.
Despite the pouring rain, the BioStart Hortisports took place in front of a large wine industry crowd and local high school students, who came to support the Young Viticulturists as well as enjoy a sizzling BBQ cooked by the Fruitfed Supplies team.
The contestants delivered some thought-provoking speeches at the Awards Dinner, which was attended by Stuart Smith MP, wine industry members, and sponsors.
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition, highlighting the importance and popularity of this programme. Many of Marlborough’s previous Young Viticulturists also attended the dinner, eager to support the next generation coming through.
Anna Kelland will now go through to the National Final to compete against representatives from the winners of the North Island Regional, Hawke’s Bay, South Island Regional, and Central Otago competitions. The National Final will be held at Greystone in Waipara on Wednesday, 27 August, and the 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner at Te Pae in Christchurch on 28 August.
Kelland won a Fruitfed Supplies Trip plus NZD 1,000 and will compete for even greater prizes at the National Final. These include a NZD 6,000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a Leadership Week, and tickets to the Cool Climate Symposium. A BioStart Hortisports winner will also be announced, along with other cash prizes.
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