The IMW announces seven award winners and welcomes ten new Masters of Wine at its annual awards ceremony
The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) celebrated seven award winners and officially welcomed ten new Masters of Wine (MWs) to its membership tonight, 5 November, at a ceremony in Vintners’ Hall, London.
The IMW’s annual awards ceremony celebrates the inauguration of the new MWs and recognises individual excellence in areas of the MW examination. Friends, family and Masters of Wine from around the globe flew into London for the occasion to welcome the new ‘MW vintage’, which includes MWs from six countries across three continents.
Receiving their induction tonight were Neil Bernardi MW (US), Emily Brighton MW (UK), Benjamin Hasko MW (Singapore), Christopher Martin MW (UK), Victoria Mason MW (UK), Robert Mathias MW (UK), Dror Nativ MW (UK), Pietro Russo MW (Italy), Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW (Norway), Wei Xing MW (China).
Each received a framed calligraphic certificate and a 24 carat gold Master of Wine pin engraved with their unique membership number.
Following the inauguration the individual awards, introduced into the ceremony in 1979 and sponsored by IMW supporters, included two new accolades this year: The Vintners’ Company award for the top performance in the business of wine paper, and the VSPT Wine Group award for best performance in the contemporary issues paper. Victoria Mason MW and Dror Nativ MW both took home three awards, with Emily Brighton MW receiving one. The 2024 awards and winners in full are:
Quinta do Noval award
For the best research paper as chosen by Christian Seely. Presented by Christian Seely, Managing Director, AXA Millésimes. Awarded to Victoria Mason MW for her paper, An investigation into the enablers and barriers to the adoption and practice of regenerative viticulture in Stellenbosch. All research papers can be accessed at: https://www.mastersofwine.org/research-papers
Taransaud Tonnellerie award
For excellence in the production and handling of wine paper. Presented by Henri de Pracomtal, Chairman and CEO of Taransaud. Awarded to Emily Brighton MW.
Vintners’ Company award
For the top performance in the business of wine paper. Presented by Ann Hill, Master Vintner, the Vintners’ Company. Awarded to Victoria Mason MW.
VSPT Wine Group award
For best performance in the contemporary issues paper. Presented on behalf of VSPT Wine Group by Caroline Hermann MW, IMW Vice-Chair. Awarded to Dror Nativ MW.
Robert Mondavi award
For the best performance in the theory papers. Presented by Sara Fogarty, Regional Manager UK, Constellation Brands. Awarded to Victoria Mason MW.
IMW outstanding achievement award
Sponsored by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB). For outstanding achievement across all papers. Presented on behalf of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board by Caroline Hermann MW, IMW Vice-Chair. Awarded to Dror Nativ MW.
Madame Bollinger medal
For excellence in tasting. Presented by Justin Liddle, Managing Director, Mentzendorff & Co Ltd. Awarded to Dror Nativ MW.
In addition to celebrating the new Masters of Wine, the ceremony honoured four members for reaching their 50th year as MWs. John Brown MW, Charles Eve MW, Anthony Foster MW and Bill Gunn MW passed their MW examination in 1974. Coincidentally, John Brown also celebrates his golden wedding anniversary this year, while Anthony’s son was born the day he received his results.
IMW Executive Director Julian Gore-Booth said: “We are delighted to welcome ten new MWs from across three continents, recognise the outstanding work of our award winners and honour our vintage members. This evening’s event celebrates their remarkable dedication, expertise and contribution to the pursuit of wine excellence. Congratulations to all on your exceptional achievements. We are proud to have you as part of our global community.”
IMW Chair Roderick Smith MW said: “It is with great pride and honour that we formally welcome our ten new Masters of Wine, our largest intake since 2021. Having successfully studied during the difficult pandemic period makes their achievement all the more impressive. Congratulations to them all.”
ENDS
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Main image
Back row, left to right: Wei Xing MW, Robert Mathias MW, Pietro Russo MW, Victoria Mason MW, Droor Nativ MW, Emily Brighton MW, Christopher Martin MW, Benjamin Hasko MW
Front row, left to right: Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW, IMW Chair Roderick Smith MW, Vintners’ Company Master Vintner Ann Hill, IMW Executive Director Julian Gore-Booth, Neil Bernardi MW
Word document, image and IMW logo are available to download via Dropbox
For more information contact:
Adam Jones
Marketing Manager
Institute of Masters of Wine
+44 (0)207 383 9139
ajones@mastersofwine.org
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For more than 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 foster 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 421 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There were 367 students from 40 countries in the 2023-24 MW study programme. The IMW works with 37 supporters and four research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Champagne Bollinger, Constellation Brands and VSPT Wine Group.
For more information visit: https://www.mastersofwine.org/
All previous award winners can be viewed here.