Now in her final year of study, she said the opportunity was also a great way to experience the immersive wine culture in Italy as well as to add to her understanding of how New Zealand had become a flourishing region for wine production.
“It’s a remarkable opportunity to explore Italy, not only to embrace its cultural differences, but also to delve into the world of wine, which of course is the central focus of my academic pursuits.”
The programme is sponsored by PGG Wrightson, Taradale Rotary Club, Ōtātara Trust, and EIT Te Pukenga, and recognises the connection between the Italian town of Conegliano and New Zealand.
It is named after Romeo Bragato, who was influential in identifying potential winegrowing regions in New Zealand and studied extensively in this area of Italy.
“[The exchange gives students] an opportunity to explore and learn about the wine and viticulture regions, industry practices and cultures of each country,” said Sue Blackmore, head of the School of Viticulture and Wine Science at EIT.
She said the programme was instigated in 2003 by the late wine industry stalwart Kevyn Moore, who EIT representatives assisted to organise the scholarships and student trips each year.
“After an enforced break by Covid-19 we are hoping to revitalise the Bragato Exchange to honour Kevyn Moore’s memory and restart the collaboration with Padua University.”
Padua University scholar Giovanni Bin will come to New Zealand in August as part of the exchange, where they will be able to experience all the Hawke’s Bay wine capital has to offer.
As for Maddison, she said she plans to do one more vintage with Craggy Range, where she has worked while studying, before taking her wine skills to the world.
“I’ll just basically go vintage hopping for the next few years. And then eventually settle back in Hawke’s Bay, because we are No.1, so it’s not a bad thing, is it?”
