Young Winemaker and Young Vit named for 2026

This year’s young wine industry leaders have been named following national finals held in Martinborough this week.

Nick Lamain, 30, from Isabel Estate in Marlborough is the 2026 Tonnellerie de Mercurey Young Winemaker of the Year, while Kris Godsall, 24, from Cloudy Bay, Marlborough is the 2026 Young Viticulturist of the Year. 

The winners were announced at the New Zealand Wine 2026 Celebration Dinner at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 27 August.

The Young Winemaker national finals were held on 25 August at The Runholder, and the Young Viticulturist national finals were held at Escarpment the following day. 

Kris Godsall was named Young Viticulturist of the Year 2026

Heath Miller from Pask in Hawke's Bay came second in the Young Viticulturist competition, and Joshua Irving from Lincoln University in North Canterbury placed third. The other Young Viticulturists competing were Alex Coombs from Craggy Range in Wairarapa, and Braxton Benseman from Mt. Difficulty in Central Otago. 

The other Young Winemakers were Aaron Coxhead from Coxhead Wines in Waikato/Bay of Plenty, and Joshua Irving from Lincoln University in North Canterbury. Joshua was the first-ever contestant to compete in both the Young Viticulturist and Young Winemaker national finals in the same year.

Nick Lamain says his Young Winemaker title feels a bit surreal. “I’ve been part of this competition for the past five years, and it has challenged me, built my confidence, and played a huge role in shaping my career. To cap off that journey by taking out the national title is an incredible honour, and a moment I’ll be proud of for a very long time.”

“It’s a lot to take in,” says Young Viticulturist Kris Godsall. “It’s a prestigious title to win, and all the hard work has paid off.” 

Competitors in the national finals were tested on the wide range of skills and knowledge required to be an aspiring winemaker or viticulturist. 

Nick Lamain was named Young Winemaker 2026

For the Young Winemakers, this included the Constellation Brands Laboratory Section and the Indevin Wine Judging section, both won by Nick Lamain. They gave a presentation on how the wine industry could continue to reduce its carbon footprint and finished by delivering their Fruitfed Supplies speeches at the New Zealand Wine 2026 Wine Business Forum at Te Papa on Thursday afternoon. The topic was wine tourism opportunities in their regions, and the event was won by Joshua Irving.

The challenges for the Young Viticulturists included machinery skills, an interview, a mock vineyard tour, and a leadership challenge. They had to write a report and give a presentation on cost savings in the vineyard and preparing for a potential super El Niño. They went head-to-head in the Ecotrellis trellising section, which was won by Heath Miller, as well as the BioStart Hortisports, taken out by Kris Godsall. They finished by delivering speeches to a large industry crowd at the New Zealand Wine 2026 Celebration Dinner. 

Kris Godsall’s prize package included a $6,000 Ecotrellis Travel Grant, a Leadership week, a piece of artwork and cash.  

Nick Lamain won a trip to Burgundy to visit the Tonnellerie de Mercurey (cooperage), a piece of artwork, the opportunity to be an Associate Judge at the New World Wine Awards, and a guest wine reviewer role for Drinksbiz magazine. 

Both national winners will also attend Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 in February and the Organic Winegrowers Conference next June. 

Fruitfed Supplies is providing a field trip for all the Young Viticulturist and Winemaker national finalists, so they can continue to upskill and reconnect post-competition.