Who will be the Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year?
Who will be the Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year?
The Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year Competition 2025 is now in its 20th year and is taking place on Thursday 29th May. This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for viticulturists 30 years or under to up-skill, grow in confidence, widen their network and start making a name for themselves within the industry.
Ten young Marlborough contestants will undergo a mix of practical and theoretical modules from pruning to Budgeting. They go head-to-head in the BioStart Hortisports event, a quick-fire quiz as well as give a speech at the awards dinner.
We are pleased to introduce the Marlborough viticulturists competing in the 2025 Marlborough competition.
Anna Kelland, Constellation Brands
Anna is a Viticulture Technician for Constellation Brands and first worked in the vineyard in 2020 while studying concurrent degrees in Viticulture and Wine Science at EIT. Originally from Hawke's Bay, she now enjoys the research and data analysis involved in her job as a viticulture technician after coming to Marlborough in 2023. Anna is dedicated to gaining as much knowledge as she can about all things wine and is always interested in anything involving science. She hopes to study even more in the future and add value to the industry by sharing new findings from research and field trials. When she's not in the vineyard, Anna likes cooking and she's also a soprano who loves being involved in musical theatre.
Avril Malan, Babich Wines
Avril Malan is a 29-year-old Vineyard Supervisor at Babich Wines in Marlborough. He graduated with a degree in Viticulture and Horticulture at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch, South Africa. After his studies, he worked for 5 years as a Viticulturist at De Toren Private Cellar before he decided to go abroad and do a vintage in Austria at the end of 2023. As of February 2024, he finds himself in New Zealand and is passionate about Organic farming methods and learning about soil nutrition. In his free time, he likes to be active, going on hikes with his wife, playing golf, or traveling to new parts of the country. His goal is to become a leader in sustainable farming and improve the wine industry through precision viticulture actions.
Dan Du, Whitehaven Wines
Dan Du is 28 years old and currently works as a Viticulture Technician at Whitehaven in Blenheim. Her journey into viticulture began several years ago when she graduated from Lincoln University with a bachelor’s degree in Viticulture & Oenology in 2019. Since 2017, she has worked 8 vintages in Marlborough, gaining experience in various roles within the wine industry. Through these experiences, she discovered her passion for viticulture. Dan is eagerly looking forward to participating in this competition, as she sees it as an opportunity to further enhance her knowledge and skills in the field of viticulture. Outside of work, she loves to travel and enjoys good food and wine.
Eric Bryan, Indevin Group
Eric Bryan is a 29-year-old vineyard worker in Indevin's Awatere vineyard cluster. With a background working in production horticulture in the Auckland region, and a Bachelor of agri-commerce from Massey University, Eric started his career in the wine industry as a cellar hand in Villa Maria's Auckland Winery before transferring to their Marlborough vineyards in 2024. Eric has since taken every opportunity to expand his skills and knowledge in all things vines, especially technical viticulture, recently spending the 2025 growing season as Viticultural Technician in Indevin's Awatere and Wairau Vineyards.
Eilish Herrick, Jeremy Walsh Viticulture Management
Eilish Herrick is a 23-year-old Vineyard Operator for Jeremy Walsh Viticulture Management in Marlborough. Eilish has completed Levels 2 and 3 in Horticulture Production studies and is undertaking Level 4. Eilish thrives on operating machinery and immersing herself in the vineyard’s natural beauty. Her passion for the outdoors drives her to fish and explore the stunning Marlborough Sounds where adventure awaits at every turn
Harry Watson, Berakah Vineyard
Harry Watson is 22 years old and is a new addition to the team at Berakah Vineyard Management, starting in the position of the ground team lead. Harry has a passion for working with good people to grow fantastic New Zealand wine. Harry has worked three vintages, his first on Waiheke Island and the 2025 vintage will be his second in Marlborough. Harry is currently in his final year of study as he completes a degree in viticulture and winemaking at NMIT. He’s grateful for the journey this career has taken him on so far and for the great people who have helped him along the way. When he’s not in the vineyard, Harry can be found out diving the Marlborough sounds or on a hike.
Isaac Langley, Pecchenino Viticulture Ltd
Isaac Langley is 28 years old and an assistant vineyard manager for Pecchenino Viticulture Ltd in the Marlborough district. He fell in love with winemaking while traveling Europe in 2018/2019. He then moved back to New Zealand to gain experience in the industry and saw the light, his passion shifted to viticulture. Isaac graduated from Lincoln University with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology in 2023 and has since been working in the industry learning. He is passionate about quality wine, soils, and the environment, and his goals are to be a great viticulturalist and own a vineyard one day. Outside of work he enjoys working out, playing tennis alongside all things food and wine.
Laura Hammond, Babich Wines
Laura Hammond, Vineyard Supervisor at Babich is a fifth-generation Marlborough farmer. With a keen interest in all living creatures in the vineyard ecosystem, Laura has had a lifelong love for insects and biodiversity. Each season she brings an optimistic and curious approach to work, always eager to learn and collaborate. Laura has an imaginative spirit; she enjoys creating music, art and cooking food to be shared over a glass of wine.
Lizzie McMullen, Seresin Estate
Driven by a passion for viticulture and biodynamic farming, Lizzie has built her career around improving vineyard management. After earning a Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking in 2023, she joined Seresin Estate, thriving in a hands-on operator role that deepens her knowledge of organic and sustainable winegrowing. She enjoys the physical and technical challenges of the job—from canopy work to soil health—and is dedicated to the future of sustainable viticulture in New Zealand. Outside of work, Lizzie loves being outdoors, whether tending her vegetable garden, walking her two dogs, or tackling home projects. She’s always looking for ways to connect her love of nature with her career and is excited to keep growing in the industry.
Kris Godsall, Cloudy Bay Vineyards
Kristopher Godsall is a 23-year-old Assistant Vineyard manager at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. Growing up surrounded by vines in the heart of New Zealand's wine capital, Kris Godsall only considered a career in the industry when the opportunity was presented at Marlborough Boys' College with the NZ School of Winegrowing in 2018. Following the Completion of College, Kris enrolled at Lincoln University to take on a Bachelor in Viticulture and Oenology, graduating in 2023. This will be His Second time Competing in the Young Viticulturist Competition. Outside of the Vines Kris can be found on the river coaching young rowers, in the hills with a mountain bike, or taking advantage of Marlborough's great outdoors.
Support the Marlborough Young Viticulturists of the Year 2025 contestants and cheer them on as they deliver their speeches and compete head-to-head in a quickfire quiz. Plus, enjoy a brand-new addition to the evening — Uncorked Conversations! In this fun 20-minute segment, two teams of industry personalities will face off in wine themed games like “What’s Missing from This Headline?” and “Caption This!” It's sure to be filled with laughter and light-hearted moments.