Jacqueline Maclaurin, Graduate, Certificate in Grapegrowing and Winemaking. Vineyard Manager, Wither Hills in Marlborough.

One grey day in Wellington six years ago, Jacqueline Maclaurin had a vision. She saw herself picking grapes in a sun-filled vineyard and treading them with her bare feet. About the same time, she realised she was not cut out for an office-bound career.

While she was interested in the Historic Places Trust work she had been doing since graduating with a BA, she longed for
the great outdoors.

“I’m from a farm with a small vineyard so I just couldn’t see myself sitting in an office forever,” says the 29-year-old
Gisborne woman.

The final catalyst for her career change was her Gisborne flatmate.

“He kept raving about the Grapegrowing and Winemaking Certificate at EIT Tairāwhiti – how much fun it was and how much he had learned. So I moved back to Gisborne and enrolled for the certificate.

“The course was brilliant. I highly recommend it. It teaches the basics of viticulture and winemaking and is a great starting point to get into the industry.

“The students I studied with went straight into cellar hand jobs in wineries and vineyard-based positions such as  machinery operators, vineyard managers or viticulture technicians.

“My tutors were really knowledgeable people who had worked in the industry.

“It was also cool to have our ‘own’ vineyard and winery. We did all the practical jobs in the vineyard and made our own wine at the Waimata Winery. It was fantastic.

“The diverse group of students from all over the world made the course a lot of fun. We became one big family.”

Jacqueline had no trouble getting work once she finished the course and now manages a 163ha vineyard for Wither Hills  in Marlborough.

“I’m happy with my career choice in the wine industry and I love the work.”