After 3 intense days of tasting – through 6 brackets and a masterclass of Australian Icons – the 2019 Education Scholarship programme concluded last night with the announcement of not 2, but 3 finalists!
Education Scholarship Partners and Scholarship Tutors were on hand at the Post-Scholarship Reception to congratulate the Top 3 performers of the Scholarship: Bridget Raffal, Mirko Scanu and Penelope Vine.
The 3 finalists will compete for the position of 2019 Education Scholarship Dux this coming Sunday night at the Italian Summer Gala in Melbourne. Each of them is in with a strong chance of taking home the title!
At the Reception, the Scholarship Tutors who ran the 3 day programme, noted how proud they were of all of the 12 Scholars who undertook the programme. Each Scholar demonstrated marked development in their tasting and wine assessment technique, and their ability to articulate their assessment noticeably improved with each of the 6 brackets.
They all brought their best to the programme, and all 12 Scholars should be extremely proud what they were able to achieve amongst such talented company.
We wish all 12 Scholars the best in their continuing journeys in wine, and we are excited at the prospect of seeing them topping their field and having their names gracing judges lists at wine shows in the future!
| Top 3 Finalists | Supporting Partner | |
| Bridget Raffal | Sixpenny Restaurant | Fesq & Company |
| Mirko Scanu | One Penny Red | Jackson Family Wines |
| Penelope Vine | Cutler & Co. | Halliday Wine Companion |
| Scholars | ||
| Christian Blair | Annata | Australia’s First Families of Wine |
| Mark Law | Aria | De Bortoli |
| Michela Lubbers | Merivale | St Hugo |
| Marcell Kustos | Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant |
RIEDEL |
| Stan Zheng | Frogmore Creek | Australia’s First Families of Wine |
| Alexander Gribble | Attica | Torbreck |
| Ellie Ash | The Recreation Bistro & Bottleshop |
Jackson Family Wines |
| Hannah Day | Rosetta Ristorante | Australian Women in Wine |
| Pierre-Marie Caillaud | Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne |
St Hugo |
The Sommeliers Australia Education Sub-Committee would like to thank the following people for generously sharing their judging expertise during the Scholarship:
Bracket 1 – Chardonnay: Dave Bicknell (Oakridge)
Bracket 2 – Sangiovese: Matt Paul (Trembath & Taylor)
Bracket 3 – Pinot Noir: Philip Rich (Lucas Restaurants)
Bracket 4 – Rose plus Australian Icons Masterclass: Dom Valentine (Valentine Wines)
Bracket 5 – Shiraz: Sarah Crowe (Yarra Yering)
Bracket 6 – Cabernet: Tom Carson (Yabby Lake)
