Seven of the eight finalists in the Hawke’s Bay round of the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition, including winner Paul Robinson, have studied at EIT. The Bachelor of Viticulture and the Bachelor of Wine Science feature most often as the pathway for the finalists.

From Taranaki, Paul moved to Hawke’s Bay in 2005 to study EIT’s Bachelor of Viticulture.

He worked for Maimai Creek Wines while studying and after graduating in 2009. For the last seven years he has been with Villa Maria where he has progressed to assistant vineyard manager of the Te Awa and Joseph Soler vineyards.