MW students awarded the Commanderie de Bordeaux Andre Crispin Travel scholarship
Master of Wine students Jane Dunkley (left) and Samantha Cole-Johnson (right) have won the Commanderie de Bordeaux Andre Crispin Travel Scholar Awards for 2022. As part of a long-standing partnership with the Institute of Masters of Wine North America, these scholarships for study and travel in the Bordeaux area are being awarded to two North American students based on their exceptional performance in the stage 1 assessment.
Jane Dunkley entered the wine industry as a teenager and never looked back. Her quest to craft world-class wine has led her around the globe, with over 2 dozen vintages in 4 different countries. Now based in Paso Robles, California she works for Cakebread Cellars as a Winemaker.
Samantha Cole-Johnson is an American wine writer and reviewer. In 2022, she became the US Pacific Northwest specialist for JancisRobinson.com and the Oregon contributor for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book.
The two award winners will travel to Bordeaux together on a single trip arranged by and coordinated with the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux. Each will receive a stipend of US $5000 to cover airfare, hotel, and transportation expenses.
The award is named in honour of the late Andre Crispin, former Grand Maître of the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA.
The Commanderie has sponsored in-depth Bordeaux visits over many years for students and young wine professionals–all of whom have indicated that their Bordeaux travel scholar experiences have greatly advanced their wine careers. Award recipients provide a written report to the Commanderie in the two months following their trip detailing their impressions of the experience and how they expect to use their new-found knowledge to support the Commanderie’s mission of promoting the appreciation of Bordeaux wines and vignerons.
Eric Vogt, the current Grand Maître observed: “Keen palates for wine are not universally distributed. And yet the wine industry depends upon the palates of a few to guide the experience and appreciation of many. The Commanderie is thrilled to award these scholarships to Jane Dunkley and Samantha Cole-Johnson who both show great promise in their ability to discriminate and describe the wonders of fine wine.”
Julian Gore-Booth, executive director of the IMW, said: “These awards are part of a cherished partnership with the Commanderie and represent a valuable investment in the future of fine wine. We are delighted that two such outstanding MW students have been selected as the recipients and look forward to hearing about, and learning from, their experience in Bordeaux.”
Samantha said “I am incredibly grateful to receive the Andre Crispin Travel Scholar Award. The opportunity to connect with other students and key figures in the Bordeaux wine industry is invaluable. I always learn more in travelling with others; their perspective offers me different insights, making me a better writer and teacher.”
Jane said “I am absolutely thrilled to receive to receive the Andre Crispin Travel Scholar Award from the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA. As someone pursuing the Master of Wine title from a wine production background, the wines of Bordeaux are like a distant star, something to strive towards but that are often out of reach. This award will allow me to immerse myself in the culture, wine and terroir of Bordeaux; truly a winemaker’s a dream come true and invaluable for my studies.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
Gurpreet Raulia
Marketing and Communications Officer
Institute of Masters of Wine
+44 (0)207 383 9139
graulia@mastersofwine.org
Notes to editors:
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For almost 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 415 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. The IMW works with 34 supporters and two research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Constellation Brands, the Madame Bollinger Foundation, and Waitrose and Partners.