Biostart Hortisports

Cultivating the future of viticulture

Since 2006, Biostart has proudly served as a foundation sponsor of the Young Viticulturist of the Year competition. One of our most exciting contributions to the event has been the Biostart Hortisports Challenge—a lively and challenging component designed to inject both adrenaline and practical skill into the competition.

Each year, competitors face a range of activities, some highly relevant to viticulture and others delightfully irreverent. The aim is to create the ‘worst day in the vineyard’ which tests not only their viticultural knowledge and skills but also their ability to stay calm and think quickly in high-pressure scenarios—all while having some high-energy fun.

Four Hortisports competitors in hi-vis vests run between the vines in a vineyard as a part of a challenge.
Two Hortisports competitors are in a runner's crouch in the middle of a muddy paddock during a challenge.
A Hortisports competitor wearing safety googles prunes some grape vines in a vineyard.
A Hortisports competitor pulls themselves along on a small wheeled vehicle in between vines as a part of a Hortisports challenge.
A Hortisports competitor jumps for joy in a paddock during an activity.

Geoff Warmouth awarding the Geoff Warmouth Cup to the Biostart Hortisports Marlborough regional winner.

The Hortisports Challenge was developed by Geoff Warmouth, a Marlborough local, who ran the event for many years. His creativity and passion shaped the spirit of the challenge. When Geoff stepped back in 2024, FruitFed Blenheim honoured his contribution by creating the Geoff Warmouth Cup, awarded annually—by Geoff himself—to the Marlborough Regional Hortisports winner.

Every year brings a new version of the challenge, and each year the Biostart team is reminded that the future of viticulture is in excellent hands. All participants are under 30 when they compete, and regardless of the outcome, they consistently go on to achieve great things in the industry. Many are promoted or take on more senior roles shortly after the competition.

We take great pride in watching their journeys unfold and having the privilege to work alongside them in vineyards across the country as they grow into leaders of New Zealand viticulture.