Winepress - September 2024

Third time a charm

Perseverance pays off for Marlborough’s top Young Winemaker of the Year

CATHIE BELL

NICK LAMAIN was the first person to get his entry into the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year contest, and it was third time lucky for him.

Describing himself as “absolutely stoked” to win, this is the third time the VinLink Marlborough winemaker has competed locally, coming second last year. “I had big expectations so I was stoked to come away with it. The competition was really tough – it’s so unbelievable to win,” says Nick.

Ellie Hobbs from Rose Family Estate came in second place, and third was Ruby McManaway from Yealands. They were among nine contestants put through a gruelling series of winemaking tasks. These included judging six 2019 Marlborough Chardonnays as if on a wine show panel and creating a low alcohol Sauvignon Blanc and running laboratory tests on their blend to ensure all legal requirements were covered. Fault-finding, general winemaking knowledge, being interviewed and giving a speech at the Awards dinner were all part of the event where Nick finally came out on top.

Raised in Marlborough, Nick worked in vineyards during the summer as a student, but had never intended to get into the wine industry. After studying microbiology at Otago, he was back home and wondering what to do. His sister and brother-in-law, who work in the industry, suggested he try out a vintage job. There was “something about being in the winery”, he says, especially working in teams, that set him on a straight course for a winery career.

It was also a push from his sister and brother-in-law that saw him enter his first Young Winemaker of the Year competition. “I was very nervous – I didn’t know what to expect. Family members had entered before, but it was outside my comfort zone.” But he gained so much from going for it, he says, including meeting other young people and making connections.

“Putting yourself out there on the public stage is something a lot of people don’t want to do. But you don’t realise what you get out of it until you do it. It’s really beneficial for growing your career in the wine industry.”

Competing at Young Winemaker of the Year

national finals, which are being held at The Runholder in Martinborough, will be a big step up, he says. To prepare, he’s tasting lots of wine, practising judging skills, researching anything New Zealand wine-related, looking for trends, and preparing his speech.

Nick’s got a lot on – soon after the national finals, he flies to Germany for vintage. He’s excited about the chance to work at a premium Riesling producer again, after doing a vintage in 2018 at Jim Barry in Australia. Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc are his favourite varieties.

Nick says he’s not living in Marlborough “just because it’s where I was born or my career with VinLink has me here. I love Marlborough and everything it has to offer. I love being in the Sounds, in the mountains, enjoying the vibrancy of the region.”

He says Sauvignon Blanc really suits life in Marlborough. “It’s important that the people making Sauvignon Blanc appreciate the variety,” Nick says. “It’s the backbone of the industry and we need to enjoy it. That’s the only way to move it forward.”

PHOTO: JIM TANNOCK

Nine contestants lined up for the 2024 Marlborough Young Winemaker of the Year competition.

From left, Michael Hix, Yealands; Dingying Jiang, Cloudy Bay; Alessandro Carraro, Spy Valley; Zack Andrews, Hunter’s Wines; Nick Lamain, VinLink Marlborough; Ellie Hobbs, Rose Family Estate; Lan Zhang, Pernod Ricard; Ruby McManaway, Yealands; Lewis Davidson (at front)