L-R Paul Donaldson, James Millton, Blair Walter, Alastair Maling, Barbara Lawson, Steve Smith MW, Helen Masters, Paul Brajkovich, Clive Jones, Tim Finn, William Hoare.

New Zealand’s Family of Twelve announces David Way as winner of the inaugural ‘Family of Twelve MW Scholarship’.

New Zealand’s Family of Twelve and the Institute of Masters of Wine are delighted to announce that David Way is the recipient of the inaugural ‘Family of Twelve MW Scholarship’.

Based in Hampshire in the United Kingdom, David is a second-year student in the Institute’s Study Programme. David’s scholarship will comprise of return travel from the UK to New Zealand for a ten to twelve day immersion in the diversity of New Zealand Wine at its best, spending time with all twelve Family members at their wineries. David will be exposed to the eight major wine-growing regions of New Zealand, enjoying tastings and discussion with the winery principals and winemakers. The Family’s aim is to leave David with a lasting and insightful appreciation of compelling New Zealand wine and the philosophies that make The Family of Twelve special.

William Hoare, Chairman of the Family of Twelve, says “The Family are thrilled to name David as our inaugural scholar. Through his winning essay David has shown a keen understanding of and interest in New Zealand wine in the spheres of both winemaking and business. We look forward to hosting David with good kiwi hospitality and of course our fine wines. We hope the experience will be mutually beneficial for David and for the Family as we take the opportunity to learn from him as he will from the Family. Congratulations David.”

In turn David comments on winning the scholarship and what will be his first visit to New Zealand:
“I am absolutely thrilled to win the Family of Twelve prize. Along with many English wine lovers, I have long admired the purity and elegance of the wines of New Zealand. I am really looking forward to seeing its vineyards, meeting the winemakers and tasting these wines in the beautiful places where they were grown. This will be an enormous benefit to my studies and will deepen my enthusiasm further for New Zealand’s wine. I am most grateful to the Family of Twelve for this remarkable and generous opportunity.”

Selection for the scholarship was via an essay written on one of two topics. We received entries from all over the world with some valuable insights from perspectives other than our own. David elected to address the first of the following two questions:

New Zealand has entered many global markets with great success, particularly with Sauvignon Blanc. How does it now build and strengthen its reputation as a producer of fine wine?

Is fine wine an old people’s game? If so, how does one bring the younger generation into spending their hard earned income on better bottles?

David Way is an English wine educator and writer specialising in the wines of Italy and some French regions. His work appears mainly on his website www.winefriend.org. In addition to pages on famous areas such as Chianti and Montalcino, this features the largest coverage on the web of the up and coming region of the Maremma – south of Bolgheri to the border with Lazio. In addition to writing, he leads trips to select Italian and French wine regions. He entered the Master of Wine programme in September 2013 and after his studies plans a project on regional expressions of Sangiovese.

Penny Richards, Executive Director of the Institute of Masters of Wine, said “This is going to be an unforgettable learning experience for David. We are delighted for him, and very grateful to those who are going to be hosting him. This inaugural Family of Twelve scholarship was something that really excited our students, and we hope that this will lead to a long and fruitful relationship between the Institute and the Family.”

The Family of Twelve is a fraternity of twelve of New Zealand’s most prestigious and enduring artisanal wineries. Founded in 2005, the Family’s vision is to nurture long term relationships with an emphasis on education in their key export markets. The promotion of New Zealand wine at its best is paramount.

The common thread that binds the members of this family is that we strive for perfection. You can hear it in the conversations; there is a restlessness, a constant looking forward. Our family table has only twelve seats, saved for twelve winemaking families from around our country. We each bring to the table only what is good enough to be shared by the family seated, so if it’s not in the glass at our table, it certainly won’t be going to yours.

For further Information please contact William Hoare, Chairman – The Family of Twelve
Tel: +64 3 572 9355 Email: William@frommwinery.co.nz or visit www.familyoftwelve.co.nz

Website: www.familyoftwelve.co.nz
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/familyxii
Facebook: www.facebook.com/familyoftwelve

The Family of Twelve: Kumeu River – Villa Maria – The Millton Vineyard – Craggy Range – Ata Rangi – Palliser Estate – Neudorf Vineyards – Nautilus Estate – Fromm Winery – Lawson’s Dry Hills – Pegasus Bay – Felton Road.