06/23/2026
Hi everyone, Emma Kosicek here! 😊🍷🍇
A month ago, I returned home from working the 2026 vintage in Central Otago, New Zealand. I have taken a bit of time to process my experience (and dove right back into work once I returned home), but wanted to share some brief insights and bits of my journey.
For some context, I worked at Coal Pit, a boutique winery in the Gibbston Valley, a premier wine-growing region in Central Otago. The region is known for producing world-class Pinot Noir, traditional method sparkling wines, and Chardonnay. As a fun connection to home, Coal Pit's winemaker, Anika Willner, originally hails from Ohio!
One of the highlights of my experience was meeting passionate young wine industry professionals from all over the world. Beyond my amazing roommate and coworker, Tatiana from Italy, I had the opportunity to connect with other interns working throughout the region. Lots of once-in-a-lifetime hiking, exploring, and of course sharing amazing wines with such beautiful stories.
While I had an amazing experience abroad, my biggest takeaway was realizing just how special the Grand River Valley, AVA is. As a region, we are producing wines that stand alongside those from some of the world's most respected growing regions…with heart, soul, and PASSION!
Bits that are forefront of mind post experience:
- Seek experiences, ideas, and viewpoints that challenge your way of thinking / doing.
- Make yourself uncomfortable as often as possible.
- Have the confidence to know that you can figure it out.
- Passion is irreplaceable, as is kindness.
