The Barca-Velha Golden Vines MW Scholarships offer each winner an unparalleled opportunity to support their Master of Wine (MW) studies, alongside creating a bespoke internship programme for themselves with the support of a panel of mentors, enabling them to learn from some of the world’s greatest fine wine and rare spirit estates. Each Scholar will receive £35,000 in funding to be divided across MW-related costs and an individual internship programme. Very excitingly, the scholars will also be invited to undertake a unique SOGRAPE experience, during which they will visit SOGRAPE’s wineries and vineyards in Portugal to learn in person from SOGRAPE’s world-leading team and globally renowned estates. The scholars will also be assigned a mentor from the judging panel, who will guide them through their MW studies and to whom they may turn for advice and questions.
Winners will be selected by a judging panel of the following six industry leaders:
- Richard Bampfield MW
- Nina Basset FIH, Gérard Basset Foundation
- António Graca, Head of Research & Development, SOGRAPE
- Joana Pais, Head of Prestige Brands, SOGRAPE
- Jancis Robinson OBE MW, JancisRobinson.com, Financial Times
- Neil Tully MW, The Institute of Masters of Wine
Last October, the winners of the 2025 Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships were announced, Sera Svitlana Karamshuk, born in Ukraine and now based in the UK, and Leila Killoran, born in Iran and raised in the UK. Six months later, both are enthusiastically continuing their studies to become a Master of Wine.
According to Sera Svitlana Karamshuk: "Being a recipient of the Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarship is not just financial support. It includes mentorship from existing Masters of Wine, which is invaluable at this stage. The Gérard Basset Foundation provides you with a community which is genuinely supportive, and kind, and one that eagerly shares knowledge, opportunities, and encouragement. Being a recipient of the Scholarship is also a form of recognition and status that signals credibility within the industry. That visibility opens doors that are often difficult to access, especially for those at the beginning or those of us who are building our paths."
According to Leila Killoran: "Winning the Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarship has been nothing short of transformative, rekindling my Master of Wine journey with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. It has opened doors to learning, mentorship and experiences that once felt far beyond reach, allowing me to pursue this path with depth and conviction. I am profoundly grateful for the support and belief behind this opportunity, which continues to shape both my studies and my future in wine. Attending the Golden Vines ceremony was a luminous highlight. An unforgettable moment of inspiration among the very best in our industry."
Applications are welcomed from individuals coming from a wide range of communities, including but not limited to those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, all ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, and individuals affected by conflict.
Click HERE to apply for the scholarship.
Applications will close on Sunday, 14 June 2026.