01 September 2025 Winemaker of The Year held at Lincoln University

The Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year competition puts passionate young people from across the industry to the test to see who is truly at the top of their game.

The three finalists completed an array of challenges throughout the day, including lab work and wine judging in the Lincoln University Winery and presentations in our lecture theatres.

The competition was followed by the Young Viticulturist of the Year finale held at Greystone Wines in Waipara the following day.

Lincoln was well represented in both competitions, with alumni Georgia Mehlhopt and Damon Lovell both in the final for Young Viticulturist, and Dingying Jiang in the final for Young Winemaker.

Ruby McManaway from Yealands Wine won Young Winemaker of the Year, and Anna Kelland from Constellation Brands won Young Viticulturalist of the Year.

The winners were announced at the New Zealand Wine 2025 Celebration Dinner held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre on Thursday, 28 August.

Lincoln University and its alumni have a long history with the two competitions. Four Lincoln alumni have won Young Winemaker of the Year since it was launched in 2015, and nine alumni have won Young Viticulturist of the Year since it began in 2006.

Interested in winemaking? Check out our range of wine, viticulture and oenology programmes.