Featherston’s Scott Lanceley, who was second in NZ’s young viticulturist finals at Martinborough last week, with winner Annabel Bulk (Central Otago) and Jake Dromgool (Kerikeri), who came third. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
HAYLEY GASTMEIER
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Wairarapa’s Scott Lanceley, of Foley Family Wines, earned second place in this year’s Bayer Young Viticulturist of the Year competition.
He was runner-up to Central Otago’s Annabel Bulk, who Lanceley said he was genuinely happy for.
“She deserved to win it for sure. She really wanted it, she’s just a lovely person, and she knows her stuff.”
From Featherston, it was Lanceley’s fifth time competing to become New Zealand’s top young viticulturist, and his second time to make it to the nationals.
“I’m pretty happy, pretty stoked with it really,” he said.
The competition’s national co-ordinator Nicky Grandorge said Lanceley showed a wide range of knowledge and skill.
He marked well across all categories and showed good leadership qualities, she said.
“Runner-up is a great achievement in this very tough competition.”
Having just turned 30, it was the last time Lanceley could compete but he was eager to maintain his involvement in the coming years – many of the judges are past competitors.
“Next year I might look at joining the committee and enact some revenge on the new up-and-comers.”
Lanceley said while he was partial to beer, some of his friends still considered him a “wine snob”.
He said he was in the wine industry for life.
He won a decanter and $1000 cash.
The winner took home a prize pack including a Hyundai Kone for a year, a $5000 travel grant, and $2000 in cash.
