González Byass renews its partnership with the Institute of Masters of Wine
González Byass has renewed its supporter contract with the Institute of Masters of Wine.
Dedicated to making fine sherries and brandies in Jerez, Spain, González Byass is a family company founded in 1835. Well-known brands such as Tío Pepe Fino Sherry or Lepanto Brandy de Jerez have established the company as one of Spain’s most recognised wine families that is now making wines in Spain and Chile’s wine-producing regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Casablanca and Apalta.
González Byass has supported the IMW and the MW study programme for many years, not least with providing wines for educational purposes and places for MWs and students on their annual hosted Sherrymaster course in Jerez, which usually takes place in September.
At the IMW’s last international symposium in Logroño, Spain in 2018, González Byass opened the event with the welcome reception serving the latest release of Tio Pepe en Rama, organic Cavas from Vilarnau (Penedés), alongside a small selection of top wines from Beronia (Rioja and Rueda), Finca Constancia (VdlT Castilla), Viñas del Vero (Somontano) and Veramonte (Chile).
Vicky González, head of international at González Byass and fifth-generation family member, said, “Education about wine is paramount for González Byass – it is a key to continuing the growth of the category worldwide. The IMW represents the pinnacle of wine education – quality, constancy and integrity – all values which we strive as a family and a company to promote, which is why we are delighted to be continuing our support for this institution.”
Adrian Garforth MW, executive director of the IMW, said, “We are delighted that González Byass will continue their support of the IMW. We fully recognise the importance of long-term partnerships, particularly in these challenging social and economic times, and look forward to continuing our work together in the coming years.”
The IMW works with 32 supporters worldwide who help promote the IMW’s mission of excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. The IMW’s five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Constellation Brands, the Madame Bollinger Foundation, and Waitrose and Partners.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Belinda Eaton
Marketing and Communications Manager
Institute of Masters of Wine
+44 (0)207 383 9136
beaton@mastersofwine.org
Notes to editors:
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For almost 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to promote excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 414 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 307 students from 36 countries in the 2022-23 MW study programme. The IMW works with 36 supporters and two research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Constellation Brands, the Madame Bollinger Foundation, and Waitrose and Partners.