Institute Receives International Vinitaly Award 2011
The Institute of Masters of Wine was honoured with the International Vinitaly Award 2011 at a presentation in Verona last night.
Lynne Sherriff MW, Chairman of the Institute, accepted the award on behalf of the Institute at the Vinitaly gala dinner.
The award, presented annually since 1996, recognises individuals or organisations promoting the spread of wine culture and production improvements.
The Institute currently has 288 members who are resident in 23 different countries. These Masters of Wine are active in all aspects of the international wine industry. Through its members and activities the Institute promotes excellence, interaction and learning, across all sectors of the global wine community.
More than 250 wine professionals from 28 different countries are currently enrolled in the Institute’s education programme which helps to prepare candidates for the annual Master of Wine Examination.
Speaking after receiving the award, Lynne Sherriff MW said: “I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of all the Masters of Wine, past and present. The Institute is a community of individuals united by a passion for excellence in wine and seeks to encourage others in the pursuit of knowledge. We place great value on bringing wine communities together and we are delighted to accept this award in recognition of our work in this area over almost 60 years.”
Previous recipients of the International Vinitaly Award include: Corinne Mentzelopuolos of Château Margaux (1997); Robert Mondavi (1998); Pablo Alvarez (1999), Penfolds (2000), Krug (2006); Hannes Myburgh of Meerlust in South Africa (2007); Hugh Johnson OBE (2008); and Jeannie Cho Lee MW and Lidia Bastianich (2009).