October 6, 2026 — 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 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 support their MW studies and internship programme, as well as a unique SOGRAPE Portugal experience. During this experience, the Scholars will visit SOGRAPE’s wineries and vineyards in the Douro Valley and elsewhere, while learning from Portugal’s leading family wine company.
Winners were selected following a rigorous application and interview process by a judging panel of industry leaders:
- Richard Bampfield MW
- Nina Basset FIH, Gérard Basset Foundation
- Joana Pais, Head of Prestige, SOGRAPE
- Clement Robert MS, Liquid Icons
- Jancis Robinson OBE MW
- Luís de Sottomayor, Head Winemaker, Barca-Velha
- Neil Tully MW, The Institute of Masters of Wine
Meet the 2026 Scholars
Christy Fuhrman
Christy Fuhrman, a wine educator at both American Wine School and My Somm Sense in Chicago, knows what it feels like to be “without a village.” Throughout her career, she has often found herself as the only, or one of very few, women in the room, and has encountered doubt and suspicion from both restaurant guests and fellow wine professionals. Holding both a WSET Diploma and a Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced qualification, Fuhrman is committed not only to pursuing her own ambition of becoming a Master of Wine, but also to supporting those coming behind her. She has made mentorship an important part of her work and is passionate about creating opportunities for others to develop their knowledge and confidence in wine. Fuhrman dreams of opening her own wine school, with a particular focus on making wine education affordable and accessible. She also hopes to write wine textbooks designed specifically for at-home learning, helping to make high-quality wine education available to a wider audience. Alongside her teaching, Fuhrman is a Certified Bordeaux Educator and organises Bordeaux-focused tastings and classes. Through the Barca-Velha Golden Vines MW Scholarship, Fuhrman will be able to continue her MW studies while developing her vision for a more accessible and inclusive approach to wine education.
Loreto Pancorbo
Loreto Pancorbo has built a career across multiple facets of the wine industry. Raised in Rioja, she is now based in the Canary Islands, where she works as Technical Director at Vinos en Tándem SC and as a WSET Educator at More than Wines Academy. She is also co-owner and technical director of her own winery, which she runs alongside her husband. Working in a traditionally male-dominated area of the wine industry, Pancorbo has experienced situations where her expertise and professional authority have not always been taken seriously. These experiences have strengthened her determination to contribute to a wine industry in which knowledge and talent can be developed regardless of gender, background or circumstance. Pancorbo believes that wine can often be perceived as an exclusive environment because of financial and cultural barriers. She hopes that becoming a Master of Wine will enable her to have a greater impact on wine education and help make the industry more accessible to a broader audience. Looking ahead, Pancorbo dreams of establishing her own mentorship programme focused on women in wine, young professionals and others facing challenges that can be difficult to overcome alone. The Barca-Velha Golden Vines MW Scholarship will support her in developing both her MW studies and her wider ambitions to mentor and empower the next generation of wine professionals.
Nina Basset FIH, Co-Founding Trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, said: “Christy and Loreto embody the determination, generosity and commitment to education that lie at the heart of the Barca-Velha Golden Vines MW Scholarships. Both have experienced barriers during their careers yet have responded by dedicating themselves not only to their own development but also to supporting others. We are delighted to help them progress towards becoming Masters of Wine and to develop their ambitions to make wine education more accessible.”
Joana Pais, Head of Prestige at SOGRAPE, added: “At Casa Ferreirinha, we believe that excellence is built through knowledge, dedication and the willingness to share what we learn with others. Christy and Loreto embody these values, combining personal ambition with a genuine commitment to supporting the next generation of wine professionals. We are proud to welcome them to Portugal and to contribute, in a small way, to their journey towards becoming Masters of Wine.”
About Casa Ferreirinha
Casa Ferreirinha has been an integral part of the SOGRAPE family since its acquisition in 1987. It is a pioneering force and leading producer of high-quality still wines from the Douro region, renowned for creating the iconic Barca-Velha in 1952. At a time when the Douro was almost entirely focused on Port wine, Casa Ferreirinha broke new ground. Driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, the estate redefined the region’s winemaking potential, establishing a reputation for producing some of Portugal’s most prestigious still wines, celebrated for their exceptional quality and remarkable consistency. With a heritage spanning more than 250 years, tracing back to the foundation of Ferreira, Casa Ferreirinha stands as a symbol of enduring oenological excellence. Remarkably, the house has only had three winemakers throughout its history—whose tenures all overlapped at one point in time. This rare continuity ensured a direct transmission of knowledge, values, and winemaking philosophy, reinforcing Casa Ferreirinha’s deep-rooted commitment to tradition, quality standards, and the true character of the Douro. Casa Ferreirinha remains steadfast in preserving the region’s identity, upholding its high standards, and faithfully expressing the true essence of the Douro in every bottle. https://sogrape.com/brand/casa-ferreirinha
About The Golden Vines
Established in 2021 to honour, celebrate, and elevate ‘the best of the best’ in fine wine and rare spirits, The Golden Vines has become the definitive benchmark of excellence within the industry. Decided by a global voting process of thousands of industry experts, the spectacular annual three-day celebration brings together an exclusive mix of leading winemakers, top-tier collectors, and UHNWIs. Taking place across some of the world’s most beautiful cities and venues, the event offers guests an unrivalled weekend of masterclasses, exceptional culinary programming, and unique tastings. The Golden Vines acts as a platform for meaningful change by partnering with the Gérard Basset Foundation. With 100% of the weekend’s auction proceeds going directly to the Foundation, the initiative champions diversity and inclusion across the global wine and spirits industries. https://liquidicons.com/the-golden-vines
About The Gérard Basset Foundation
The Gérard Basset Foundation in the world’s leading charitable foundation dedicated to using the wine, spirits & 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 of 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 connected to the Foundation and remain instrumental in keeping Gérard’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/
