McLaren Vale Awards Future Judging Talent

McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association has awarded Berenice Axisa the 2016 Wayne Thomas Scholarship which fosters the development of future Australian wine judges and McLaren Vale ambassadors.

Named after prominent McLaren Vale wine identity, the late Wayne Thomas, scholarship recipients receive a fully funded place at the Australian Wine Research Institute’s Advanced Wine Assessment Course and the opportunity to judge as an Associate Judge at the 2016 McLaren Vale Wine Show, one of Australia’s most significant wine shows.

As Sales and Marketing Manager at Woodstock Winery, Berenice is a proud ambassador and industry leader of the McLaren Vale wine region.

“I am thrilled and humbled at receiving this award. I also feel lucky and proud to part of the McLaren Vale community,” said Ms Axisa.

“I think that this region brings together so many different personalities, cultures and wine styles – a region where many can express themselves in different ways yet still live harmoniously within the community.”

Berenice will experience different wine styles from around the world and develop her sensory vocabulary and palate calibration alongside esteemed industry peers.

McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association General Manager, Jennifer Lynch, reaffirms the region’s reputation as a home for leaders of the wine industry, with many inspiring women recently recognised.

“The scholarship enables recipients to advance their judging profile whilst also developing knowledge and experience to benefit our region and industry,” said Ms Lynch.

“Berenice joins the company of several McLaren Vale leaders that have recently been recognised for their efforts in viticulture and sustainability, including the Women in Wine Award recipients, Ulithorne’s Rose Kentish and Inkwell’s Dr. Irina Santiago-Brown, as well as James Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year, Peter Fraser from Yangarra Vineyard Estate.”

The Scholarship is funded by proceeds raised through the McLaren Vale Ladies Long Lunch – a charity event for business women of Adelaide and the McLaren Vale wine region.

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