The application window for The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships has now closed.
April 19th – 42 wine students from 23 different nationalities applied for the Scholarship programme, including students originating from Colombia, French Polynesia, Georgia, Iran, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Zimbabwe. 29% of the applicants identified themselves as black and 71% as ethnic minorities (including indigenous peoples). 62% were female candidates. 67% of the students indicated an interest in applying for both the MW and the MS programmes, whereas 24% specified an interest in applying only for the MW programme and 2% in applying only for the MS programme. The average age of the applicants is 36 years of age. With a 1 in 21 (less than 5%) chance of being awarded a Diversity Scholarship, the competition is expected to be immense.
The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships programme has been designed to find and promote future role models from BAME / BIPOC communities globally to reach the very top levels of the wine industry and stand as torch bearers, encouraging students from these communities to consider a career in wine.
Lewis Chester DipWSET, on behalf of the Diversity Scholarships organiser, Liquid Icons, and Trustee of The Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation, commented: “To have 42 students apply globally for the inaugural Golden Vines Scholarship programme wildly exceeded our expectation, especially given the high level of wine education candidates require to qualify, and provides an intense level of competition to win these incredible Diversity Scholarships. By offering these Diversity Scholarship opportunities, we have been able to attract black and ethnic minority students to consider spending the next 3+ years studying for some of the hardest exams on the planet which they otherwise might not have had considered attempting, propelling them to the very top of the industry.”
Adrian Bridge, Managing Director of Taylor’s Port, stated: “We are thrilled with the number of applications this programme has received, as increasing diversity and inclusiveness in the wine industry is of the utmost importance. For Taylor’s Port, a brand with 329 years of history that trades in 130 countries, it is natural for us to help grow cultural diversity in our industry.”
All applicants will now be invited to undertake a tailored 2-3 hour ‘Introduction to the Course’ Zoom session to give an insight into the study programmes through a tasting and discussion with MWs/MSs involved in delivering education for the Institute of Masters of Wine and the Court of Master Sommeliers (European Chapter). These sessions are an opportunity for applicants to ask any questions, understand the respective programme structure and learn about the outstanding learning as well as networking opportunities that exist within the Institute of Masters of Wine and the Court of Master Sommeliers (European Chapter) student communities. These Zoom sessions will take place between 19th April – 30th April 2021.
By May 7th 2021, applicants will learn whether they have been accepted for an interview by the panel of Judges. If accepted for an interview, the applicant’s interview will take place on or before May 21st 2021. The applicant will then hear if they have been awarded a Diversity Scholarship by May 28th 2021.
The Judging Panel for The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships is comprised of Nina Basset FIH, Rajat Parr (Sandhi Wines), Carlton McCoy MS (Lawrence Wine Estates), Clement Robert MS (The Birley Clubs / Annabel’s) and Jancis Robinson OBE MW who has been selected as the Lead Judge by her colleagues on the Panel. The judges will also provide ongoing mentorship to The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship winners during their academic journey.
The Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship, Internship & Mentorship Programme includes two scholarships for aspiring black and ethnic minority students wishing to undertake the Masters of Wine (MW) and Master Sommelier (MS) programmes – open to candidates from all over the world. These Diversity Scholarships, worth up to £55,000 for each scholar, will cover the entirety of their course and examination costs, as well as loss of earnings during their work placement internships. The Internship Programme includes a set of diversified work experiences with some of the world’s top wine domaines and establishments, as well as wine school courses globally:
- Amorim Cork, Portugal – a 2 day ‘Cork Course’ on the science behind cork and wine ageing
- Annabel’s Private Members’ Club & The Birley Clubs in London, UK
- Bodega Catena Zapata in Mendoza, Argentina
- Casa Lapostelle in Colchagua Valley, Chile
- Château Cheval Blanc (LVMH Vins d’Exception) in Bordeaux, France
- Château d’Yquem (LVMH Vins d’Exception) in Sauternes, France
- Château Smith Haute Lafitte in Bordeaux, France
- Colgin Cellars (LVMH Vins d’Exception) in Napa Valley, USA
- Dom Pérignon in Champagne, France
- Domaine Baron Thenard in Burgundy, France
- Domaine des Lambrays (LVMH Vins d’Exception) in Burgundy, France
- Domaine Laroche in Chablis, France
- KEDGE Wine School in Bordeaux, France
- Lawrence Wine Estates (Heitz Cellars, Stony Hill Vineyard, Ink Grade Estate and Burgess Cellars) in California, USA
- Liber Pater in Bordeaux, France
- Masterclass with Marc Almert, the 2019 ASI Best Sommelier of the World and the 2020 Michelin Sommelier of the Year, at the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zürich, Switzerland
- OIV (International Organisation of Vine & Wine) – 1 week module
- Opus One in Napa Valley, USA
- Ruinart in Champagne, France
- Symington Family Estates in Douro Valley, Portugal
- Taylor’s Port in Douro Valley, Portugal
- The Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Moray, Scotland
- UC Davis (University of California, Davis) Department of Viticulture & Enology in California, USA
- Viña Vik in O’Higgins, Chile
- Weingut Egon Müller in Mosel Valley, Germany
- Wine Scholar Guild’s full suite of Scholar-level programmes
- World of Wine, Wine School, Porto, Portugal
The not-for-profit Golden Vines Awards will recognise excellence in the fine wine industry and raise funds for The Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation with the aim of funding diversity and inclusion-related wine education programmes, including the headline Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship, Internship & Mentorship Programmes. The Golden Vines Awards Ceremony & Dinner will take place at Annabel’s Private Members Club in London on Thursday 7th October 2021.
For further information, quotes and interviews, please contact: amcavoy@anmcomms.com
The Golden Vines Presentation available in link here:
https://liquidicons.com/goldenvinespresentation
About Liquid Icons:
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends to “do stuff in wine” – the late, great Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET. We create first-class original content and research about the world’s greatest fine wines and spirits. Our work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of wine and spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives.
https://liquidicons.com
About The Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation:
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gerard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals as its Trustees: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Lewis Chester DipWSET, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
About Annabel’s:
Annabel’s is an all day and all-night Private Members’ Club. In Mayfair London. At its core, the club is a place to entertain and be entertained. With a timeless combination of comfort, glamour and intimacy, the Club continually strives to create an atmosphere that is as unforgettable and celebratory as ever, for a diverse, eclectic and cosmopolitan membership. The historic private members club has earned a global reputation founded on superb service, exclusive ambience, first class cuisine and unparalleled entertainment. In 2018 Annabel’s opened the doors to its much-anticipated new home, a Grade I listed Georgian mansion house at 46 Berkeley Square. Set across 26,000 square feet and positioned just two doors down from where it all began in 1963. The Club has five restaurants for its members and their guests to enjoy, including a garden restaurant with retracting glass roof and ‘The Mexican’ a restaurant serving innovative Mexican cuisine. In 2019, the club added new Italian restaurant, Matteo’s. Complete with decadent interiors – a striking homage to the original Annabel’s – the restaurant is home to the world’s biggest selection of Sassicaia, Monfortino and Dom Pérignon.
About Taylor’s Port:
Taylor’s is one of the first historic Port wine lodges, having been established in 1692. A family company since its foundation, it has been dedicated exclusively to the production of high-quality Port wines, from the planting of the vine and harvesting the grapes for fermentation, ageing and bottling of the various styles of Port wine. The family’s commitment to the future of Port wine is also demonstrated in its determination to preserve and, where appropriate, improve the unique environmental, social and economic aspects of the Douro region through the promotion of sustainable viticulture.
Taylor’s is mainly recognised as a benchmark for Vintage Port, its classic Vintages attracting the highest scores and auction prices. The house was the creator of the modern LBV (Late Bottled Vintage), a style pioneered by the Taylor’s and it is the most sought-after brand of LBV. Taylor’s also pioneered the first Dry White Port with the launch of Chip Dry and was the first to commercialize of the Single Quinta Vintages. The House is also recognized as the most important producer of Aged Tawnies and has one of the most extensive reserves of cask aged Port wines.
