Generation Y-ine

Ava Liang loves the nature of winemaking

KAT DUGGAN

WORKING IN the vineyards of Marlborough, Xiuying (Ava) Liang is a long way from big city life in China. Coming from a background in psychology, her studies in viticulture and winemaking have seen her swap a career working with people, to one working with grapes.

When she completes her studies at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) this year, Ava will have spent seven of her 29 years as a student. But all going to plan, her student journey won’t be over. Ava has spent time working at Bragato Research Institute alongside her studies, and hopes to continue her wine research with a master’s degree. “I have been in contact with Lincoln University to see if there is an area of study they would like me to look into,” she says. “If I can find a subject that I’m interested in and [Bragato] is interested in as well, they might sponsor me for my master’s degree.”

While she has a passion for psychology, Ava learned she was more interested in the environment. “Psychology is really interesting, especially if you use it on yourself. It helped me a lot, and changed my way of looking at this world,” she says. “I love it but not as a career, because I like nature.”

Ava made the move to New Zealand in 2017, looking for a change. She moved straight to Blenheim after discovering the Nelson and Marlborough regions were some of the sunniest in the country. “It’s totally different [to China]. When I lived in the big city, in the morning you’re straight into the subway and then you come out at the other end, and then you go into another building, it’s totally different to here,” Ava says. “After I came to Blenheim, with my first job you go early to the vineyard and then watch the sunset coming home. I like the peace and quiet; the lifestyle.”

Initially working for a vineyard contracting company, including through harvesting, Ava enrolled in NMIT’s Bachelor of Viticulture and Winemaking degree in 2019. “I want to learn more about it and develop more knowledge, and establish my career in this industry,” she says.

Following her studies, Ava would like to work in a lab to further her knowledge base. “I guess that’s probably the best place to start, because lots of winemaking decisions start from the lab, and I can learn about that from the winemaker as well.” Recently, Ava was selected alongside a fellow thirdyear student, Finn Horsfield, to be an associate judge at the New World Wine Awards.

“My palate has matured a lot through this intense exposure. Sitting down at the discussion table with the judges also taught me a lot,” Ava says. “It was a great experience for me to understand all the theories that I have learnt from school more thoroughly.”

Visa restrictions, along with the Covid-19 pandemic, have meant that Ava has been unable to see her parents or three siblings for two-and-a-half years. She has settled with her Kiwi partner, who has family ties to the wine industry, but does not work for the family business. Despite missing her family, and her home country, she can’t see herself leaving the New Zealand wine industry any time soon. “I definitely can’t imagine myself working in China [again], it’s just so different. I love New Zealand,” she says.

“I feel very lucky to be a student of NMIT, and I feel welcome and supported by the wine industry. I cannot wait to make my contribution to the New Zealand wine industry.”