Chairman of Judges and Committee

Nick Picone - Chief Winemaker, Poulter Family Wines, (previously Sacred Hill)

Picone joined Sacred Hill in 2022 on the back of a long and successful career with Villa Maria, where he spent 20 years working with numerous wine styles across New Zealand's key winegrowing regions, culminating with Nick in the company's pivotal position of Group Cheif Winemaker. His winemaking journey to date includes several vintages experience abroad in California and Italy.

Nick is highly driven to make great wine and throughout his career has received numerous awards. In 2012 he was honoured with The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year title, which is awarded to Australasia's top young winemaker. He was the first New Zealander to receive this prestigious accolade. Nick has had the honour of being awarded 'New Zealand Winemaker of the Year' or 'Winemaker of the Show' on ten separate occasions between 2011 - 2020, making him one of Australasia's most awarded Winemakers.

Hawke's Bay born, Picone has three children with his fiancée Mandy and enjoys his family time immensely. Nick is an off-road motorcycling enthusiast, a keen fisherman, enjoys music and sharing good food and wine with family and friends. Nick joined the Bayleys Hawke's Bay Wine Awards as a Committee Member in 2024 and has taken on the role of Committee Chair for 2025.

2025 Bayleys Hawke's Bay Wine Awards Judges

• Nick Picone – Head Judge / Poulter Family Wines
• Richard Painter | Indevin – Panel Lead
• Emma Jenkins MW – Panel Lead
• Gwyneth Olsen | Henschke Winery AU
• Jordan Robinson | Poulter Family Wines
• Shaye Bird | Tasman Liquor Company
• Jordyn Harper | Craggy Range
• Tammy Madigan | EIT
• Jillian Meier | Mission
• Ben Tombs | Craggy Range
• Sara Macdonald | Sileni

If you would like a manual entry form, please contact admin@hbap.co.nz.