Central Otago representative Mike Winter was runner-up in the national Young Viticulturist of the Year contest and says he is definitely ''having another crack '' at the title next year.
Mr Winter (28), the assistant manager at Amisfield's Pisa vineyard, was delighted with the result of his efforts in the grand final last week.
The contest was staged as part of the New Zealand Winegrowers annual Romeo Bragato national conference, held at Blenheim.
National contest organiser Emma Taylor said it was a great effort by Mr Winter, who came second to Paul Robinson, of Villa Maria in Hawkes Bay.
''It was Paul's fourth time in the final and Mike's first, so he did particularly well. It was quite a close contest,'' she said.
Five regional winners contested the final, which was staged over two days. They had a mix of practical and theory tasks to complete, as well as a general knowledge quiz and a speech to make.
''Mike was second overall in the speech and performed to a consistently high standard in the practical events,'' Ms Taylor said. Mr Winter was ''stoked'' with the results.
''I went into the competition hoping for a top placing and I'm really happy to get the runner-up place, for my first time in the nationals.''
He will be eligible to compete for another one or two years and is already planning to brush up on his skills before the regional and national finals next year.
