New Zealand Winegrowers Sommelier Scholarship Recipients Announced
New Zealand Winegrowers has today announced the names of two New Zealand-based sommeliers selected to participate in the
2018 New Zealand Winegrowers International Sommelier Scholarship.
It’s the first time New Zealanders will take part in the scholarship programme, which allows recipients the opportunity
to engage with and learn from leaders within the international wine fraternity.
The successful New Zealand sommeliers are:
Matthew Bocock - Wholesale Boot Company Restaurant, Wellington
Anna Krykunivsky - Imperium Group (Eichardt's Private Hotel, The Grille & The Spire Hotel), Queenstown
Anna and Matthew, along with scholarship recipients from overseas, will attend a Sommit™ event, limited to just 20
sommeliers. The 2018 Sommits™ will be held in Nelson and Central Otago.
Hosted by locals, Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas and Master of Wine Stephen Wong, the events are a celebration of the
lesser known aspects of New Zealand wine, with emphasis on the facets that resonate with the sommelier community.
“We’re delighted to include two extraordinary New Zealand sommeliers in this year’s programme. Not only will they
benefit tremendously from the experience themselves, but they will also provide a valuable New Zealand voice for our
international sommelier attendees,” commented Chris Yorke, Global Marketing Director, New Zealand Winegrowers.
The New Zealand Winegrowers Sommelier Scholarship was first launched in 2015 for Australian sommeliers. It is now a
global initiative, with the New Zealand sommeliers joining scholars from Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the USA.
ENDS
• Since the first New Zealand Winegrowers Sommit™ event in 2016, 45 sommeliers from 11 countries have attended a
Sommit™
• Those numbers will increase to 81 sommeliers from 16 countries following the upcoming Sommits™ in early 2018