A boutique winemaker has taken out the top prize at the Enterprising Rural Women Awards.

Debra Cruickshank of Tannacrieff Wines has been named the NZI Supreme winner of the Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2017. The boutique Central Otago winemaker received her award in front of a crowd of 180 in Invercargill, at the awards which celebrate the achievements of women who live in the country.

The story of Debra’s winemaking career and her launch of her small batch wine label Tannacrieff featured in the May/ June 2017 issue of NZ Life & Leisure.

“Harvest time is the busiest time, I have to [handle] 30 tonnes of grapes three times in six weeks. I turn into a super women basically, I’ve often got bigger muscles than my brother,” she told the Rural Women New Zealand.

She was described by the Enterprising Rural Women Awards judges as “truly inspiring.”
“We were impressed with Debra’s demonstration of a love for what she does and a focus on family, heritage and her roots,” said RWNZ’s National President Fiona Gower.

“Debra displays a superb work ethic, skill and innovative thinking, which has provided a great foundation from which to leverage and grow the Tannacrieff Wines brand.”

READ MORE ON DEBRA HERE

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