Nina Downer - Young Viticulturist of the Year
Growing up on a Taranaki dairy farm, Nina Downer was accustomed to the isolated and repetitive nature of her parents’ work, milking at dawn 365 days of the year.
“Horticulture was all I really knew as a child,” says the Tiki Wines Operations Manager and 2024 North Canterbury Young Viticulturist of the Year.
Nick knew he didn’t want to take over the family farm but did want a career on the land. His father and grandfather had both studied at Lincoln University, and “I thought it would only be fitting that I did the same”, he says.
The plan was initially to become a winemaker, but Nick rapidly realised he was better suited to the vineyards – “a little more hands on”.
On completing his degree in Viticulture and Oenology he moved to North Canterbury to work with Tiki, and says it’s a community that stepped up to help when it came time to prepare for the national Young Viticulturist competition.
“I have been approached by a number of leaders in our area who offered help with my prep for the final… The same with Tiki – they have provided a lot of support and want me to succeed.” That’s typical of the “close knit” North Canterbury wine community, “who are always willing to help or share knowledge with one another”, he says. “We have great quality wines with our own unique styles.”
It’s an industry that is also unified by common challenges, including the rising cost of production, Nick says, noting that the long-term viability of the region and industry is becoming increasingly difficult to shore up. “Smaller producers, who make the industry unique, will feel that pressure sooner.”
