Alex Coombs from Craggy Range is the 2026 Ormond Nurseries North Island Regional Young Viticulturist of the Year.
In what was his third year competing and with more viticultural experience following a year overseas, Alex Coombs returned with a strong focus and determination to take out the title. He studied hard and felt incredibly proud to raise the trophy at the end of the day.
Congratulations also go to Gagandeep Singh from Babich in Auckland, who came second.
The North Island regional competition is open to contestants from Auckland, Northland and Wairarapa. The other two contestants were Phattaradanai Wannaphirun (Neil) from Dry River in Martinborough and Santiago Mendez Gasca from Paroa Bay in Northland.
All four contestants shone in various sections of the competition, highlighting their personal strengths.
Alex took out both the head-to-head races at lunchtime, the Ecotrellis trellising section and the BioStart Hortisports. The contestants were cheered on by a local crowd, before everyone enjoyed a sizzling BBQ from Fruitfed Supplies.
Coombs also won the Syngenta Biologicals Nutrition section. Singh won best speech as he engaged the audience while they enjoyed a delicious dinner at Moy Hall, Martinborough.
Santiago demonstrated his broad viticultural knowledge by coming top in the quiz, handling some pretty tough questions on pest and disease, grafting and general wine industry statistics.
Phattarandanai won the Ormond Nurseries Professional Reputation Award for his positive attitude, personal growth, confidence and polite, friendly manner.
The contestants also undertook an interview, data analysis, machinery and spray calibration challenges.
Coombs will now go through to the National Final to compete against the winners from the Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, South Island Regional and Central Otago competitions. The National Final will be held at Escarpment, Martinborough, on Wednesday 26 August, so Coombs will be on home turf, with plenty of local support.
From this regional competition, he won a Fruitfed Supplies Field 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 Sauvignon Blanc 2027 and the Organic Winegrowers Conference.
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