Georgia Mehlhopt, of Greystone Wines in Waipara, is the 2025 South Island Regional Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Georgia Mehlhopt from Greystone Wines in Waipara has been named the 2025 South Island Regional Young Viticulturist of the Year, after a day of competition at Tiki Wines in Glasnevin, North Canterbury.
The contest, which draws top young talent from Nelson, North Canterbury and Waitaki, earned Mehlhopt a place in the national final, where she will represent North Canterbury.
Joining her on the podium were Lisa Fromont from Te Kano in Waitaki, who placed second, and Emma Lloyd, also from Greystone, who came third.
Other standout performances included Grace Moriarty, who won the BioStart Hortisports race, and Joshua Irving, who took out the Pest and Disease section.
Mehlhopt also claimed the Ecotrellis trellising prize and topped several other categories, including speech and interview.
Lloyd was awarded the Ormond Professional Reputation Award for her strong communication skills and “can-do” attitude throughout the challenges.
Contestants tackled a series of practical and theoretical challenges, covering areas such as irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease management, budgeting, machinery, pruning, wine tasting and a formal interview.
The event was capped off with a lunchtime barbecue, following the Hortisports race.
The day concluded with an awards dinner at Waipara Springs, where contestants delivered their speeches.
Mehlhopt will now prepare for the national final, set to take place at Greystone in Waipara on August 27, where she is expected to have strong local support.
The 2025 New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year will be announced the following evening at the New Zealand Wine 2025 celebration dinner at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
National finalists will compete for prizes, including a $6000 Ecotrellis travel grant, a leadership week, and tickets to the Cool Climate Symposium.
A national BioStart Hortisports winner will also be named.
Mehlhopt’s win continues her impressive track record – she previously represented North Canterbury in the 2024 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year national final, which she won.
Correction: This article previously said Georgia Mehlhopt was only the second person in the history of the awards to reach both national finals in winemaking and viticulture, after Matt Fox. This is incorrect; Katie Cameron, presently at Ata Rangi winery, has also achieved this.