New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship & ‘Sommit™’

The New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship provides engaged wine professionals from all over the world with the opportunity to take part in an unforgettable wine experience, discovering the regions, varieties, landscapes and personalities that make New Zealand wine so distinctly New Zealand.

“The Post-Sommit Blues are very real. I really cannot express how grateful I am for the experience. It was everything.”

Shepherded by New Zealand wine and on-premise authorities, Cameron Douglas MS and Stephen Wong MW, attended exclusively by only 9 sommeliers and targeted exclusively to their interests, the Sommit™ is an all-encompassing celebration of the lesser known aspects of New Zealand wine, with particular emphasis on the facets that resonate with the sommelier community.

It's also crazy fun.

Scholarships to attend Sommit™ and a wider New Zealand wine itinerary encompassing Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 and cross-country regional experiences are available from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, China, Japan and New Zealand.

The scholarship includes:

• Attendance at the Sommit™ in Gisborne (17-18 February 2025) 

• Attendance at Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 in Christchurch (11-13 February 2025) 

• Wine experiences and tastings in regions across New Zealand 

• International and domestic flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, event registrations and all event inclusions 

“Sommit was without a doubt the most incredible experience of my professional life. Not only was it fun and informative and adventurous, it personified the New Zealand wine industry through gracious hosts, serious winemakers and a level of playful uniqueness that won’t ever be forgotten.”

Candidates are expected to have an obsession for all things wine, and a particular hankering for knowledge of New Zealand wine.

Criteria and application information can be found at the below links:

For any queries with regard to the New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship and Sommit™, please contact New Zealand Winegrowers Education Manager, Felicity Turner – felicity@nzwine.com.