The Wine Industry Mentor Program for 2021 is now underway after 61 early career professionals were selected to undertake the six-month mentorship.
The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology, The University of Adelaide, Wine Australia and Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA), who pioneer the program, announced the mentees earlier this week.
WCA Executive Officer, Andrew Stark speaking on behalf of all partners said: “It was no easy task to decide from among the almost 150 applicants who would be part of this program aiming to support and inspire the future generations of wine industry professionals.
“It was pleasing to receive applications from early career professionals across the wine sector including wine marketers, winemakers, viticulturists, researchers, wine students, wine retailers and sommeliers, all eager to be mentored by some of the most respected wine sector leaders.”
The Wine Industry Mentor Program will provide the opportunity for mentees to connect with like-minded peers, grow their knowledge and skills in all areas of the wine industry including: wine business, wine marketing, media, photography, wine education, winemaking, viticulture and oenology.
The full 2021 Mentees accepted into the program are as follows:
- Ian Batt –Small Things Wine
- Adeline Lin –Pacific Vintners Pty Ltd
- Alexander Beckett –Briar Ridge Vineyard
- Mark Law –Dan Murphy’s
- John Biggar –Brown Family Wine Group
- Ben Luker –Wine Intelligence
- Jessica Bloomfield –Pernod Ricard Winemakers
- Emily MacDonald –Master of Wine Student
- Clare Burder –Eminence Wines
- Mitch McKenzie –Chateau Tanunda
- Jessie Caines – Viticulturalist
- Imogen McNamara – Chateau Tanunda
- Natalia Caliani – University of Adelaide (PhD Student)
- Pia Merrick – Qualia Wine Services
- Lisa Cardelli – Terroir Selections and WSET
- Baden Mills – Yabby Lake Vineyard
- Gemma Charles – Pernod Ricard Winemakers
- Brad Nott – Poignant Pty Ltd
- Jessica Clark – Giant Steps Wines
- Melanie Olson – Parade Cellars
- Jane Curley – Gilbert Family Wines
- Sam Pfeiffer – Whistler Wines
- Samantha Davidson – WD Wines & Mount Majura Vineyards
- Zachary Phillips – Wine Writer
- Ben Dolan – Rob Dolan Wines
- Carla Pizzini – Pizzini Wines
- Chloe Earl – Dixon Creek Estate
- Nicole Reschke – Reschke Wines
- Kristy Farrell – Pernod Ricard Winemakers
- Stuart Rusted – Treasury Wine Estates
- Rhys Fitzgerald – Nutrien Ag Solutions
- Adam Shelley – Pernod Ricard Winemakers
- Daniela Gaggl – Yalumba
- Kasia Sobiesiak – The Real Review
- Yanina Daniela Giordano – University of Adelaide (PhD Student)
- Darran Stone – Stone Family Wines
- Yevgeniya Grebneva – Australian Wine Research Institute
- Eva Sui – University of Adelaide (PhD Student)
- Max Gu – Schubert Estate
- Holly Tagima – Australian Vintage Limited
- Hannah Hodges – Mac Forbes Wines
- Alyson Tannenbaum – Vinteloper
- Will Hugo – Hugo Wines
- Courtney Tate – Wine Envy
- Alexander Hum – Brokenwood Wines
- Karja Thiele – Joval Wine Group
- Georgina Jacobs – Balnaves of Coonawarra
- Kelly Thomas – Ten Minutes by Tractor
- Jackson Jansz – Project Wine
- Moria Tirtha – Veraison Magazine
- Grace Jiranek – Ten Minutes by Tractor
- Daniel Tokar – Tokar Estate
- Harry Kinsman – Australian Vintage Limited
- Allan van Breukelen – Endeavour Group
- Sandra Kneile – Vinotopia
- Naomi Verdonk – University of Adelaide (PhD Student)
- Vanesa Lambert – Lambert Estate Wines
- Ravi Vithal – Pooley Wines
- Lauren Langfield – BK Wines & Lauren Langfield Wines
- Patricia Williamson – Australian Wine Research Institute
- Kristen Zerk – Z Wine Pty Ltd
The participants will build their knowledge with wine industry leading mentors over a six-month period from 1 June until the end of November, with a graduation ceremony slated to be held at the end of the year.