Jascha Oldham-Selak samples his
medal-winning Syrah.

This year’s Bragato exchange scholarship winner Jascha Oldham-Selak is upholding a family tradition in pursuing a passion for wine.

The 25-year-old was also awarded Constellation Brands New Zealand Ltd wine industry scholarship for a student enrolled in a viticulture degree at EIT.

The $5,000 scholarship is helping fund Jascha’s Bachelor of Viticulture and Bachelor of Wine Science concurrent degree studies and will enable the second-year student to work in the company’s vineyards, meeting degree requirements for handson industry experience.

Marino Selak, who founded the New Zealand company of the same name, was Jascha’s second cousin on his mother’s side. His great grandfather helped invest in the land where Marino established the wine business. Fittingly enough, Constellation Brands now owns the Selak’s brand.

Born and raised in West Auckland, Jascha has long been interested in wine. “We always had wine at family occasions and were encouraged to appreciate it, to look into the glass rather than just drink alcohol.”

“I wanted to know the whole science of it since about the age of 20 and asked more questions about our family’s involvement.”

Jascha won bronze at last year’s Romeo Bragato Awards and in the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayley’s Wine Awards student class as well as silver in EIT’s Student Wine Awards with a 2014 Syrah made from Gimblett Gravels fruit.

“It’s going by too fast. I’m finding there is so much more to know than I ever thought and with the support of knowledgeable lecturers and access to great facilities I can further my understanding of the wine and viticulture sciences.”

Jascha Oldham-Selak samples his medal-winning Syrah.