2011 AXA Millésimes Scholarship Winners Announced
Six students in the Institute of Masters of Wine study programme have been announced as the winners of the prestigious 2011 AXA Millésimes’ Scholarship.
The 2011 scholars are:
- Philip Hedger, co-founder and principal of VinumXtremus LLC
- Anne Krebiehl, freelance wine and food journalist
- Nova McCune Cadamatre, winemaker for Emma Pearl and associate winemaker for Souverain at Asti
- Winery in the Alexander Valley, California
- Ray O’Connor, commercial manager for the International Wine Challenge
- Patrick Schmitt, editor of the The Drinks Business magazine
- Nigel Sneyd, director of international winemaking at E & J Gallo Winery
AXA Millésimes, a long standing principal supporter of the Institute, contributes annually to its study programme around the world. The scholarship, now in its third year, is open to students of the Institute at any stage of their studies towards achieving the title Master of Wine. Applications for the scholarship were by essay addressing the question: “Biodynamics: a mere marketing tool or a fundamental transformation of viticultural practices?”
The 2011 scholars will make their visits this autumn, including:
- Three days at AXA Millésimes’ Bordeaux properties: Château Pichon-Longueville; Château Petit-Village; and Château Suduiraut.
- Two days at Domaine de l’Arlot in Burgundy.
- An optional visit to Mas Belles Eaux in the Languedoc, Quinta do Noval in the Douro or Disznók? in Tokaj.
Christian Seely, Managing Director of AXA Millésimes, said: “Once again the competition yielded a number of excellent essays, and the selection was very difficult due to the high standard overall. There was no right answer, and we were not looking for essays that came down particularly on one side or the other, but for well reasoned, balanced replies that answered the question in a well-thought out way, and added something to the overall debate. All the winners achieved this. Reading all the essays was stimulating and enjoyable, and I would like to thank everyone who took part and to offer my congratulations particularly to the outstanding group of six who are the winners this year.”
Lynne Sherriff MW, Chairman of the Institute, said: “This scholarship offers our students unrivalled insight to winemaking at leading properties. The understanding they gain of what goes into making great wine is essential to acquiring the breadth of knowledge required to pass the Masters of Wine Examination. The Institute is enormously grateful to AXA Millésimes for its generous provision of this scholarship.”