Aspiring Masters of Wine can now apply for a scholarship.
The Gérard Basset Foundation has announced that applications are officially open for the 2026 Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships.
The scholarship is aimed at candidates pursuing the Master of Wine (MW) programme and is designed to provide structured support. Successful applicants will receive not only financial assistance for their studies, but also access to a tailored internship programme, developed with guidance from mentors, offering placements with leading fine wine and rare spirits producers around the world.
Each scholar will receive £35,000 in funding to cover MW-related costs and internship expenses. In addition, recipients will be invited to participate in an immersive educational programme hosted by wine group SOGRAPE, including visits to its wineries and vineyards in Portugal, as well as direct engagement with its winemaking and management teams.
Each scholar will also be assigned a mentor from the judging panel, who will provide guidance and support throughout their MW studies.
A Foundation Focused on Access and Opportunity
The Gérard Basset Foundation is an internationally recognised wine charity dedicated to expanding access to education and career opportunities in the wine, spirits and hospitality sectors. Through funding, training and mentorship programmes, the foundation aims to support talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds in entering and advancing within the industry.
Gérard Basset (March 7, 1957 – January 16, 2019) held multiple titles including OBE, MS, MW, MBA and OIV MSc, and was named ASI Best Sommelier of the World in 2010.
Throughout his career, he trained and mentored generations of sommeliers, many of whom have gone on to become key figures in the industry. His students and followers remain closely connected to the foundation, continuing to advance his vision and values.
The foundation was established in 2021 by his wife Nina Basset and son Romané Basset. It is currently overseen by trustees including Nina Basset FIH, Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Ian Harris.
Judging Panel and Recent Winners
The judging panel for the 2026 scholarships consists of six industry figures:
- Richard Bampfield MW
- Nina Basset FIH (Gérard Basset Foundation)
- António Graça, Head of Research & Development, SOGRAPE
- Joana Pais, Head of Prestige Brands, SOGRAPE
- Jancis Robinson OBE MW
- Neil Tully MW (The Institute of Masters of Wine)
The 2025 scholarship recipients, announced last October, included Sera Svitlana Karamshuk, originally from Ukraine and now based in the UK, and Leila Killoran, born in Iran and raised in the UK. Both are continuing their MW studies.
Karamshuk said the scholarship provides not only financial support but, more importantly, mentorship from the MW community, which has been critical to her studies.
Killoran said the programme has opened access to learning resources and industry opportunities that were previously out of reach, with a lasting impact on her career path.
Open to Applicants Worldwide
The foundation encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds worldwide, including — but not limited to — those from economically disadvantaged groups, as well as individuals of diverse ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, people with disabilities, and those affected by conflict.
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