September 10, 2025 — Ten emerging talents from around the world have been awarded the 2025 Golden Vines Wine Scholar Guild Scholarships, giving them the opportunity to pursue prestigious Wine Scholar Guild certifications and accelerate their careers in wine.
The winners of the 2025 Golden Vines Wine Scholar Guild Scholarships are:
- Luma Monteiro
- Cong Cong Bo
- Ahyoung Jeong
- Anna Mantchakidi
- Vinay Tongaria
- Immacolata Mauro
- Johnny McCarthy
- Jacqueline Jubel
- Jaclene Liew
- Miriam Nuñez
The scholarships, created in memory of legendary sommelier Gérard Basset OBE MW MS, support education, inclusion, and accessibility in wine by backing the next generation of leaders.
“At Wine Scholar Guild, we believe education is the gateway to opportunity. Supporting the Gérard Basset Foundation through the Golden Vines scholarships allows us to nurture new voices who will shape the future of wine. Seeing these Scholars thrive is both humbling and inspiring,” said Preston Mohr, managing director of Wine Scholar Guild.
“Wine Scholar Guild has been a supporter of the Gérard Basset Foundation since day one, and we are thrilled to announce today another ten fantastic scholars who will be able to undertake their choice of Wine Scholar Guild Certifications. These courses will help them to progress even further in their careers and build their knowledge further. We are truly delighted to welcome them into our scholar community,” added Romané Basset, co-founding trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation. “The Golden Vines Scholarships have quickly become one of the most respected avenues to support emerging wine professionals, opening doors to global networks, mentorship, and specialist training.”
About The Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation is the world’s leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits and hospitality industries as a global vehicle for change by funding education, training and mentorship programmes which focus on opening up these sectors to passionate and talented individuals, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Gérard Basset (7th March 1957 – 16th January 2019) OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World’s Best Sommelier 2010 was without question one of the greatest wine professionals of his era. During his lifetime, Gérard mentored and trained a generation of young sommeliers who sought out his expertise and guidance to launch their own successful careers. Many of those protégés are now connected with the Foundation and remain instrumental in keeping Gerard’s legacy alive and flourishing. The Gérard Basset Foundation was co-founded in 2021 by Gérard’s wife Nina and their son Romané who also serve as trustees alongside Jancis Robinson OBE MW and Ian Harris. https://gerardbassetfoundation.org
About Wine Scholar Guild
Founded in 2005, Wine Scholar Guild is the only wine education provider to focus solely on the most influential wine regions of Europe, instilling a deep understanding of these wines, winemakers and their culture. Wine Scholar Guild offers immersive, region-specific wine education through online, in-person and study abroad certification programs. WSG certifications set the industry standard for up-to-date and in-depth information through three distinct levels of study: Essentials, Scholar and Masters. In additional to certification programs, WSG members become part of an active global community to go beyond the textbook with educational content and resources created by the world’s leading authorities in wine. Join our movement to celebrate authentic wines of place and those who craft them! https://www.winescholarguild.com
About The Golden Vines
The Golden Vines annual activity includes Scholarships curated on behalf of the Gérard Basset Foundation, a 3-day experience for luxury oenophiles and epicureans within a city renowned for its food and drink culture. Previous years’ experiences have been held in London (2021), Florence (2022), Paris (2023), and Madrid (2024). 2025 takes place in Miami, featuring live and global online auctions in benefit of the Gérard Basset Foundation, pioneering annual awards for the ‘best of the best’ producers and protagonists in the world of fine wine and rare spirits, informed by the most extensive and in-depth industry research ever conducted. @goldenvinesawards. For further information, interviews and imagery, please contact goldenvines@anmcomms.com
