The 2025 Len Evans Tutorial (LET) board has announced the 12 Australian wine professionals who will be the next participants in the 23rd edition of the tutorial to be held from 3 – 7 November at Spicer’s Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley.
A record 189 applications were received this year with the 12 successful scholars set to receive unique wine training and education.
Sally Evans, Chair of the LET board said it was exciting to see plenty of interest in this year’s edition, encouraging those who missed out this year to reapply in 2026.
“A very gratifying response rate indeed, with the selection panel struggling to separate the top 20 applicants. It’s wonderful to see such quality and enthusiasm coming from across the industry and country,” she said.
“As usual the task of creating a balanced and cohesive scholar list takes much time and thought, and we are delighted with this year’s line-up. The board encourages all those who were unsuccessful to continue to refine their skills and reapply in 2026.”
The program is designed to elevate the scholar’s contribution to the Australian wine show system, nurture future industry leaders and develop better all-round wine professionals – the legacy of the Tutorial and Len Evans’ vision.
Speaking about the tutorial on her eponymous website in December 2024, Jancis Robinson MW said: “It’s difficult to think of a wine-producing country that takes more trouble to educate up-and-coming wine professionals, certainly winemakers, than Australia.”
Founding tutor James Halliday AM joins philanthropist Basil Sellers AM as Patron of the Len Evans Tutorial.
2025 Len Evans tutorial scholars:
| Andrew Bretherton | Head Winemaker, Juniper Estate | WA |
| Matt Buchan | Senior Winemaker and Winery Operations Manager, Deep Woods Estate | WA |
| Sophie Carbonneau | National Sales Manager & Senior Buyer, Bibendum Wine Co | VIC |
| Monica Gray | Head Winemaker, See Saw Wine | NSW |
| Brock Harrison | Winemaker, Elderton Wines | SA |
| Xanthe Hatcher | Chief Winemaker, Agnew Wines | NSW |
| Dr Mark Krstic | Managing Director, The Australian Wine Research Institute | SA |
| Phillip LeMessurier | Owner and Winemaker, Corduroy Wines | NSW/SA |
| Jeremy Nascimben | Winemaker, Mount Majura Vineyard | ACT |
| Katie Spain | Freelance Writer and Journalist | SA |
| Jacob Stein | Managing Director, Robert Stein Winery | NSW |
| Nina Throsby | Group Sommelier, Kailis Hospitality Group | WA |