The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships 2023 winners

Taylor's, Liquid Icons and the Gérard Basset Foundation are delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarships . These Scholarships offer 3 BAME/BIPOC winners support with their choice of either the MW or MS certification, as well as allowing them to undertake their choice of internships with more than 30 of the world’s greatest fine wine and spirits estates. Scholars are also able to choose one of the Judges as their mentor for the duration of their studies and scholarship.

36 applications were received in 2023 from 18 different countries across 6 continents, with applicants comprising 18 different nationalities . More than half of this year’s applicants were women.

These Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a Scholar’s ability, determination to succeed, financial needs and their potential contribution to promoting diversity, inclusion, excellence, interaction and learning in the global wine community.The Judging Panel for the 2023 Scholarships comprised: Angela Scott as Head Judge, one of 2021’s Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarship winners; Nina Basset FIH ; Rajat Parr (Sandhi Wines); Clément Robert MS (The Birley Clubs / Annabel’s); and Jancis Robinson OBE MW.

The 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Scholars:
Eduardo Bolanos, a Guatemalan-American Wine Buyer and Wine Director, Los Angeles, USA
Sachindri Rana, an Indian Winemaker and Wine Researcher, Blenheim, New Zealand
Amrita Singh, an Indian Wine Export & Marketing Consultant, Bordeaux, France

Adrian Bridge, managing director of Taylor’s Port, commented on this year’s winners: "Celebrating diversity has always been at the heart of our mission at Taylor’s, and we are immensely proud to congratulate the winners of the 2023 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarships for this remarkable achievement. We have passionately supported the study of wine, knowing that it transcends
borders and cultures. This scholarship not only opens doors to education but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of the world of wine. As we raise our glasses to these deserving scholars, we toast to a future where knowledge knows no boundaries and where the joy of learning enriches us all."

In addition to this year’s three superb winners, the Judges were profoundly impressed with two other applicants, and as such have awarded them both a Golden Vines® MW Bursary, which will cover their MW course fees for the next year, as well as allowing them a budget to undertake three short internships of their choice from the Taylor’s Port Golden Vines® Diversity Scholarship Internship Programme.

The 2023 Golden Vines® MW Bursary Recipients:
Gabriela Di Nardo, a Venezuelan Wine Educator and Community Manager, Barcelona, Spain
Nupur Gogia, a Canadian Wine Importer, Toronto, Canada

Commenting on the Judging process this year, Head Judge Angela Scott remarked: “I am both excited and profoundly proud of each candidate who participated in this scholarship process.The sheer quality and outstanding achievements of every applicant made the decision-making process incredibly challenging. I feel deeply humbled to be part of this illustrious group, as I once stood in their shoes as a grateful recipient of such a generous award. The greatest joy in this journey for me has been the opportunity to pay it forward, supporting the dreams and aspirations of others as others once did for me. Congratulations to the winners, and I wholeheartedly believe in the success of every candidate. Their futures shine brightly.”