New Zealand wineries award first scholarship to UK MW student

By Arabella Mileham

Published: 24 February, 2015

A group of artisan wine producers in New Zealand have awarded their first MW scholarship to a UK-based wine writer.

David Way wins inaugural Family of Twelve wine scholarship David Way wins inaugural Family of Twelve wine scholarship

David Way, who is in his second year at the Institute of Masters of Wine and specialises in the wines of Italy and French regions, won the Family of Twelve MW scholarship for his essay exploring how New Zealand can build and strengthen its reputation as a producer of fine wine beyond Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

William Hoare, chairman of the Family of Twelve said the entries came from all over the world and provided valuable new insights from new perspectives, but that Way had shown a keen understanding of New Zealand winemaking and business.

He will spend just under two weeks in New Zealand, visiting all the wineries in the Family of Twelve group.

Penny Richards, executive director of the Institute of Masters of Wine, said the inaugural Family of Twelve scholarship was something that really excited their students. "We hope that this will lead to a long and fruitful relationship between the Institute and the Family," she said.

The Family of Twelve was founded in 2005 to bring together twelve of New Zealand's boutique wineries in a long term relationships to further education in their key export markets and promote New Zealand wines.

Winemakers from the Family of Twelve