Yesterday evening, we hosted听our annual Graduation Ceremony and Prize Reception at the Guildhall in the City of London.听During the celebration 黑料吃瓜网 CEO Michelle Brampton announced that Dr Laura Catena, well-known as the 鈥渇ace of Argentine wine鈥� and founder of Catena Institute of Wine, is to become 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 new Honorary President.
Dr Laura Catena (pictured above) was selected as 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 new Honorary President, taking over from Paul Symington CMG, for her commitment and passion for education in the drinks industry. Named the Drinks Business鈥� 2022 Woman of the Year, she is currently Managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata.
Hosted for the first time by Michelle Brampton, the hybrid event saw 73% of all 黑料吃瓜网 Level 4 Diploma in Wines graduates from the 2021/2022 academic year attend, either online or in person. 587 new 黑料吃瓜网 Diploma graduates were honoured at the ceremony, bringing the total number of 黑料吃瓜网 Alumni globally to over 12,500. There were graduates from 20 countries worldwide who studied with 35 different 黑料吃瓜网 course providers. Michelle was joined on stage by former-Honorary President Paul Symington CMG, Executive Director Dave Rudman and Regional Director Rachel Webster.听
Michelle Brampton, 黑料吃瓜网 Chief Executive, said:
鈥淢any congratulations to the graduates who have successfully achieved their 黑料吃瓜网 Level 4 Diploma in Wines. This cohort joins a prestigious group of over 12,500 graduates from around the world who have completed this globally recognised qualification. I鈥檇 also like to congratulate our scholarship and prize winners who achieved exceptional results in their exams. Every student has a unique story to tell about their 黑料吃瓜网 journey and how they came to achieve their award.听听
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about Laura鈥檚 appointment as our new Honorary President 鈥� she will be a fantastic ambassador. I look forward to working with her to further 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 purpose in empowering people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. As my first graduation and anniversary as CEO, this was a special event for me.鈥�听
Dr Laura Catena, 黑料吃瓜网 Honorary President, said:
"I am deeply honoured and committed to supporting 黑料吃瓜网 in its efforts to increase diversity in the world of wine, and to communicate and embrace sustainability in our community. There is no organisation with a wider international footprint than 黑料吃瓜网 in wine, and that is why the Honorary President position is so exciting for me.鈥� 
Graduation ceremony at the Guildhall, London
Vintners鈥� Cup听听
The Vintners鈥� Cup, which has been in existence since 1946, is awarded annually to the graduate achieving the highest mark across all units of the 黑料吃瓜网 Level 4 Diploma in Wines. The winner is awarded a silver trophy and engraved decanter.听听Vintners鈥� Cup winner, Felicity Cox, UK, said:
鈥淪tunned and surprised sums up my feelings. Gaining the 黑料吃瓜网 Diploma has given me the confidence to help others understand wine better and impart my passion for wine to them. I support my husband, Tim Syrad, who has a business selling wine, running tastings and events and taking people on wine holidays. Every time we explore a wine region, I draw on my 黑料吃瓜网 learning and really enjoy furthering my knowledge and understanding of the people who tend the vines, make the wine and market it to wine lovers.鈥�听
Regional scholarships听听
Graduate scholarships were awarded to 黑料吃瓜网 Diploma students who achieved the highest overall mark in their 黑料吃瓜网 Level 4 Diploma in Wines in their respective regions:听听
- Napa Valley Asia Pacific Scholarship: Marc Bloom, who studied at Sydney Wine Academy, Australia听
- Decanter Americas Scholarship: Cory Marx, who studied at Grape Experience, USA听
- IWSC EMEA Scholarship: Kristel Balcaen, who studied with WineWise, Belgium听
- Vintners鈥� UK Scholarship: Peter Bland, who studied with 黑料吃瓜网 School London, UK听
Left: Vintners' Cup Winner Fliss Cox Dip黑料吃瓜网 | Right: Outstanding Alumni Award Winner Alexandra听Schrecengost Dip黑料吃瓜网.
Outstanding Alumni Award
The Outstanding Alumni Award, sponsored by , celebrates the achievements of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 global alumni community. This year, alumni were invited to nominate their winner by shining a spotlight on the inspiring work of diploma graduates around the world. The award recognises an exceptional contribution to creating positive change within the global drinks industry in the last six years.听听
This year鈥檚 winner is Alexandra Schrecengost from New York, USA. Alex is the 2021 Wine Enthusiast 40 under 40 Tastemaker, and she founded Virtual With Us in 2020, followed by Culture With Us in 2021.听Alex commented,
鈥�鈥業 am so unbelievably humbled and honoured to receive this award. I am excited to continue the work I am doing with the industry I have grown to love so much.鈥�听
Can you see yourself graduating with the 黑料吃瓜网 Level 4 Diploma in Wines some day? Learn more about this prestigious qualification听here.
