The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) has announced the first five successful recipients of its new 2025 ASVO Scholarships.
Launched earlier this year, the program is set to contribute to the organisation’s mission to support professional development, innovation, and engagement in the wine industry.
The course is structured with flexibility to allow applicants to propose a unique professional development opportunity that best suits whatever stage they are at in their career.
President of the ASVO, Andy Clarke, commented on the diverse range of uses for the scholarships and their contributions to the industry.
“We are pleased with the range of projects for which applicants sought assistance and delighted to be able to grant scholarships across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia,” he said.
“These ASVO scholarships are not only about individual growth and career development, but they are also about bringing fresh ideas and expertise back to the Australian wine community. We are proud to invest in people who will help lead our industry forward.”
The inaugural recipient of the Dr Patrick Iland Scholarship, valued at $5000, is Pia Merrick, Head Winemaker at Australian Vintage’s Buronga Hill Winery in Mildura, Victoria.
Merrick will use the scholarship to attend the Sustainability Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne in March 2026, with the intention of exploring cross-sector strategies for a more sustainable future that may be applied to the wine and grape sector.
The ASVO NextGen Scholarship was awarded to four early-career individuals to support their professional development. The scholarships are supported by Wine Australia and valued at $1000 each.
The first winner, Michelle Li, Winemaker at Knappstein Wines in the Clare Valley, will use the scholarship to assist with registration and workshop fees for the 19th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference.
Li hopes to learn from industry experts and gain new critical thinking skills to find novel solutions to winemaking and viticultural challenges.
Similarly, Keegan Thomson, Cellar Hand at Robert Stein Winery in Mudgee, NSW, will cover travel expenses to attend the Conference.
Thomson looks forward to seeing innovative technologies, learning about sustainable production practices, and broadening his perspective on the industry.
Using the NextGen funds, Syuzanna Mosikyan, PhD researcher at the University of Adelaide, will undertake a short-term research project on regulations and industry readiness for genome-edited grape varieties in Australia, France, and New Zealand. This project will be combined with a program grant from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
Meanwhile, Benjamin Totino, Assistant Winemaker at Credaro Family Estate in Margaret River, will use the funds to support his enrolment in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines WA course. He aims to improve his own skills in wine evaluation and share his knowledge with vintage and cellar staff to enhance wine quality.
All recipients will report on their experiences and outcomes through ASVO communication channels, ensuring the broader community benefits from their insights.