Who will be the next 2025 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year?
Who will be the next 2025 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year?
The Young Winemaker Competition provides a fantastic opportunity for future winemakers 30 years or under to upskill, grow in confidence, widen their network and start making a name for themselves within the industry. The winner of the regional competition will compete in the National competition against other regions. We are pleased to introduce you to the contestants competing in the Marlborough competition taking place on Wednesday 16th July
Ellie Hobbs, Vavasour Winery
Ellie Hobbs, originally from Auckland, is the Assistant Winemaker at Vavasour Winery. Her passion for science and travel led her to pursue a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, and she gained valuable experience working harvests in Marlborough during her summer breaks. Since graduating, she has broadened her expertise by completing vintages in New Zealand, France, Australia, and Austria. Ellie enjoys the diversity of her role, allowing her to deepen her understanding of all aspects of wine production and build on the skills she has gained through her international harvests. Ellie is easy to spot in the winery as she is often wearing brightly coloured leggings and loves spending her spare time creating in the kitchen.
Katasha Pearce, Spring Creek Vintners
Katasha Pearce, 33, is the lab manager at Spring Creek Vintners. After almost 10 years working in journalism and public relations, she returned home to New Zealand from the UK to study a wine science postgrad diploma and then a master of science at the University of Auckland. She did her first vintage at Mahi Wines and then moved to Marlborough at the end of 2021 to take up a cellar hand role at Spring Creek Vintners. Outside of work she enjoys running with her two spaniels, reading, learning to snowboard and drinking a craft beer or two.
Lan Zhang, Vinarchy
Lan Zhang is the Assistant Winemaker at Vinarchy in Marlborough. Originally from China, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Viticulture and Winemaking.
Lan has gained hands-on experience across vineyards, wineries, and cellar doors in Marlborough and Central Otago, and has completed CMS and WSET certifications. Her career journey began as a cellarhand, leading to her current role at Pernod Ricard. Passionate about continuous learning, Lan is committed to advancing her winemaking skills, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Outside of work, she enjoys snowboarding to recharge and stay inspired.
Michael Hix, Yealands Wine Group
Micheal Hix is a 29-year-old Assistant Winemaker at Yealands, based in Marlborough, where he was born and raised. He is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking at NMIT. Micheal's journey in the wine industry began in 2016, when he took on a vintage role to fund a trip around Europe. What started as a temporary job quickly turned into a passion, inspired by the generosity of winemakers in sharing their knowledge and the dynamic, enjoyable nature of the industry.
Now focused on developing his skills, Micheal is committed to growing as a winemaker under the guidance of the talented team at Yealands. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf and hockey, and spending quality time with his family.
Nick Lamain, Isabel Estate
It makes total sense that Nick’s wine journey kicked off in Marlborough - it’s where he grew up, where he calls home, and the one place he’s most passionate about. After finishing university and facing uncertainty about his future, he kept returning to his passion for wine. On a whim, he moved back to Marlborough, where he became captivated by the thrill and excitement of harvest. With a new sense of direction, he set off oversees as a travelling winemaker, got a winemaking degree under his belt at Lincoln, and eventually wound back up in Marlborough. Now at Isabel Estate, he's thriving and eager to get amongst the challenges of what will be his 4th year competing in the competition!
Ruby McManaway, Yealands Wine Group
Ruby is a 27-year-old Winemaker at Yealands Estate. A Marlborough local, she has been surrounded by grapevines from an early age. Ten years into her career, Ruby has gained hands-on experience in vineyard, cellar, and international winemaking, leading to her current role as Production Winemaker at Yealands. Passionate about elevating New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, she is excited to enter the Young Winemaker of the Year competition for 2025.
Shuang Tong, Spring Creek Vintners
Shuang Tong is 28 years old and working as a lab technician at Spring Creek Vintners. She holds Graduate Diploma in Oenology from EIT and she has a bachelor's degree in bioengineering. Her first vintage was at Villa Maria, Hawke’s Bay in 2019. And then she took a long break from wine industry, fully came back to it in 2023. She did a harvest at links winery, Hawke’s Bay and afterwards she did vintages in Napa Valley, North Canterbury and Marlborough. She loves her lab role and she’s real keen to have more experience in the cellar. She’s always positive with a smiley face. She is enjoying her life in Marlborough. And her favourite spot is definitely Marlborough Sounds.
Swapnil Yadav, Constellation Brands
Swapnil Yadav, 32 years old, and is full time cellar hand at Kim Crawford winery Constellation Brands NZ. Constellation brands NZ gave him first opportunity to work in winery in New Zealand. he also worked in the lab there. He is from India have been living in New Zealand for almost 2 years. he got interest in winemaking when he visited some sugar factories in India who makes Alcohol from Molasses, that time he got to know about winemaking. he studied B.sc Chemistry and Masters in Wine, brewing and alcohol technology in India. after that he worked in microbrewery for few months but travelling was his passion so he decided to travel and change his profession in to winemaking. He has done Harvests in USA, Austria and New Zealand. He gained good experience during that time
In future, he wants to become a winemaker. He likes New Zealand sauvignon Blanc, he wants to know more about different style winemaking in New Zealand. Outside work he likes to play outdoor games, he also more in to fitness.
Xingyue (Ave) Zhou, Vinarchy
Xingyue (Ave) Zhou is 26 years old and works at Vinarchy as a lab technician. She graduated from Lincoln University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology. She has completed three vintages in Marlborough and spent a summer working in the vineyard, gaining hands-on experience from vine to wine.
Originally from China, she moved to New Zealand at 17 to study adventure tourism before discovering her passion for wine while working in hospitality. With a background in customer service, sales, and marketing, she brings strong communication skills and a solid understanding of consumer expectations. This experience allows her to connect production with the market in a meaningful and practical way. Her goal is to become a winemaker leading a team, crafting high-quality wines, and exploring global wine regions to broaden her expertise. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, travelling,
and discovering food and wine pairings.
Facundo Taugo, Whitehaven Wines
Missing contestant information
Secure your tickets now to the Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year 2025 celebration dinner. Support the contestants as they deliver their speeches and go head-to-head in a quick-fire quiz. Secure your tickets to the Celebration dinner now.
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