Gérard Basset Foundation, Wine Scholar Guild, and Académie du Vin Library continue to support Bordeaux Mentor Week
September 29, 2025 (Bordeaux, France) — Bordeaux Mentor Week, founded in 2022 by Jane Anson and Chinedu Rita-Rosa to promote equity, inclusion and access in the global wine industry, has successfully concluded its fourth edition which took place in Bordeaux between 22nd and 28th September 2025.
This year marks a major milestone as two new sponsors have joined the initiative, 67 Pall Mall (on the verge of opening their Bordeaux Club in 2026) and Penfolds (currently renewing Château Lanessan and developing its “FWT” French Winemaking Trial), strengthening the programme and offering expanded opportunities for the scholars. The three historic sponsors of Bordeaux Mentor Week continue to be the Gérard Basset Foundation (gearing up for The Golden Vines Miami in November), Wine Scholar Guild (who just launched German Wine Scholar certification and announced the WSG Tasting Diploma) and the Académie du Vin Library, dedicated to publishing the finest wine writing of the past, the present and the future.
Jane Anson, co-founder of Bordeaux Mentor Week, said of the 2025 edition: “Each year, Bordeaux Mentor Week shows how much talent exists across the globe, people who bring passion, dedication, and fresh perspectives to the wine world. With today’s market challenges, it is more vital than ever that programmes like this open doors, build bridges, and give hands-on experiences that can change a career. I’m deeply grateful to all our sponsors, partners and châteaux for welcoming our scholars so generously this year. The addition of 67 Pall Mall and Penfolds strengthens the foundation Chinedu and I are building, not just for these eight remarkable individuals, but for everyone who comes after them.”
The 2025 scholars came from eight countries: Gaius Yerima (Rwanda), Kevin Dias (Brazil), Mohan Vasudevan (Mauritius), Asieh Hagh Shenas (Iran), Phuziro “Trent” Jannah (Malawi), Raul Toscano (USA), Roxanne D’Souza (India), and Yang “Eden” Zhang (China).
More than 200 applications were received from 40 countries.
Scholars spent the week immersed in all aspects of the Bordeaux wine industry: vineyard visits during harvest, blending and terroir classes, mature vintages tastings, meetings with négociants and wineries, innovations, wine tourism, and more. All scholars were housed at Château Bellefont Belcier in Saint-Émilion for the week. Bordeaux Mentor Week continues to aim not only to increase technical knowledge and experience, but to build networks, mentor career growth, and foster a more inclusive wine industry.
The official closing dinner in honour of the 2025 scholars was held at Château Bellefont Belcier on Friday 26th September, hosted by owner Howard Kwok and Jean-Christophe Meyrou, general manager of Vignobles K. and board member of La Fondation Terroirs Paysages Culturels, alongside Jane Anson and Chinedu Rita Rosa. Preston Mohr, managing director at Wine Scholar Guild, Hermione Ireland, managing director at Académie du Vin Library, Christian Holthausen, head of communications at the Gérard Basset Foundation, were also in attendance, and joined by a group of Bordeaux Mentor Week supporters from both Bordeaux and around the world, including Lorraine Carrigan and Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS from 67 Pall Mall and Pablo Laborde, operations manager at Treasury Wine Estates. Fondation Terroirs
67 Pall Mall’s group commercial director, Lorraine Carrigan, said: “The Mentor Week is a fantastic initiative, that also embodies everything that we stand for at 67 Pall Mall: excellence, education, and the unwavering belief in nurturing the next generation of talent. As we prepare to open our Bordeaux Club in Spring 2026, we’re honoured to offer a placement within our sommelier team to one of the exceptional scholars from the 2025 edition. I’ve championed this initiative since its inception, and it’s a true privilege to attend this year alongside my esteemed colleague, Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.”
Kristy Keyte, chief marketing officer at Penfolds, added: “Supporting the next generation through education, inclusion, and diverse pathways is a key focus of our Penfolds Evermore program. Bordeaux Mentor Week is a meaningful way to help open up the industry, build stronger networks, and create more equitable opportunities for those looking to grow in the world of wine.”
The success of the 2025 edition sets the stage for even greater things in 2026 as Bordeaux Mentor Week looks forward to further expanding its impact, welcoming more scholars from underrepresented backgrounds, and working with sponsors and wine industry partners to continue opening up the world of fine wine.
