Move to Marlborough reaps rewards for scholarship winner

Move to Marlborough reaps rewards for scholarship winner

Moving to Marlborough to study viticulture has already paid off for Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology student Mary Richmond.

The second year Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production student at NMIT’s Marlborough Campus is this year’s Wine Marlborough Scholarship winner. Originally from Hawkes’ Bay, the 25-year-old moved to Marlborough at the beginning of 2011 to study the programme.

“I wanted to study in Marlborough because it’s an interesting place to learn new things about different wines and wine making techniques. It’s been great. It’s a really beautiful place and NMIT is a great place to study.”

Ms Richmond says she found out she had won the scholarship at just the right time.

“I was right in the middle of work experience doing a vintage at Nautilus Estate. I’d been working 12 hour days, seven days a week for about a month and was feeling really tired - winning the award was a really good boost.”

The Wine Marlborough Scholarship is awarded annually to second year Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production students at NMIT. It is designed to assist students with course fees and provide an opportunity through Wine Marlborough Limited for recipients to enhance their understanding of the wine industry. As this year’s winner, Ms Richmond receives $1500 towards her tuition fees.

Wine Marlborough Limited General Manager Marcus Pickens says Ms Richmond’s commitment to the industry and already impressive work experience made her hard to overlook.

“Mary’s CV is an impressive summary of a variety of different winery and vineyard positions she has already held,” he says. “Through this I got the sense of someone really wanting to explore our industry and be deeply involved in it. I think she will have a very successful career in our industry and we are delighted to support her.”

Mr Pickens says the scholarship is a way for Wine Marlborough to show its commitment to the Marlborough wine region and support the success of the scholarship recipient where it can.

“The Wine Marlborough scholarship has been running for many years and Wine Marlborough has a long term commitment to support it and NMIT’s wine programme,” he says. “A part of our focus is to educate, inform and lead the region in all things wine related and this is a key reason that we support NMIT’s Diploma in Viticulture and Wine Production.”

NMIT Primary Industries Programme Area Leader Jeff Wilson says the Wine Marlborough Scholarship is one of two available each year to NMIT viticulture students.

“NMIT is focused on producing skilled, industry-ready graduates and these scholarships help us do that – they’re also an important way of rewarding and encouraging talented students.”

Ms Richmond already had practical knowledge of the industry before enrolling at NMIT, due to helping out on her family’s Hawke’s Bay vineyard. She says the programme has helped her learn more about the technical side of winemaking.

“It’s good to be learning more in-depth skills about the wine production. I’m really enjoying all the laboratory work because you get to see the wines throughout the process - from juice to finished wine.”

Aside from winning the scholarship, a highlight of her studies so far has been work experience at Nautilus Estate which she describes as “hard work, but rewarding”.

“I’ve been able to see some really great wines being made.”

When she graduates at the end of this year Ms Richmond intends going on to study the Lincoln University Oenology degree offered through NMIT.

“After Lincoln, I want to stay in Marlborough and work in the industry. I’m not sure what I’d want to do – viticulture or winemaking, but I’ve got a bit of time to decide.”

ENDS

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