Grant Allan knows he wants a career in the wine industry and being awarded the Gisborne Winegrowers Educational Scholarship is a good step forward along that path.

He moved from Taupo to Gisborne to follow his passion for wine and do Tairawhiti Polytechnics’ winemaking and viticultural course in February.

He had been involved in the hospitality industry working and managing various restaurants and bars in Taupo.

Now he has been awarded the scholarship of $1250.

“I have always had a passion for wine so I decided to do this course to see if it was a romantic vision or something I wanted to do.”

He loves the course and is now sure he would like to become a winemaker and eventually have his own winery and vineyard.

“I absolutely love it. I know it’s what I want to do.”

The scholarship is awarded twice a year to a student enrolled in the second semester of the course. It is the second time the scholarship has been awarded —last year it went to Blair Guthrie.

Gisborne Winegrower’s David Bullivant says the calibre of the applicants was very high this year.

The objective of the scholarship is to help deserving students achieve their educational goals and meet their professional objectives to the best of their ability, he says.

“In return they will hopefully become ambassadors for the polytechnic course and the region’s wine industry.

“The Gisborne wine industry needs people with passion, drive and knowledge to promote the region.

“Sometimes a relatively small investment in the people entering the wine industry is overlooked, but it can potentially produce a significant return to the region,” says Mr Bullivant.