Winners of the 2025 Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships Announced
Sogrape, on behalf of Casa Ferreirinha, and in partnership with Liquid Icons and the Gérard Basset Foundation, proudly announces Leila Killoran and Sera Svitlana Karamshuk as the winners of the 2025 Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships.
Created to support the next generation of wine professionals, this programme provides each winner with £35,000 in funding to support their Master of Wine (MW) studies and a bespoke internship with some of the world’s most prestigious fine wine and rare spirits estates.
As part of this unique experience, the Scholars will also travel to Portugal to take part in the Sogrape Portugal Experience – a tailored learning journey that will allow them to visit the company’s vineyards and wineries across the Douro Valley, ageing cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, and other regions, while learning from Sogrape’s winemaking and sustainability experts.
The winners were selected after a rigorous evaluation process by a panel of industry leaders:
Richard Bampfield MW
Nina Basset FIH, Gérard Basset Foundation
Joana Pais, Head of Prestige, Sogrape
Clement Robert MS, Liquid Icons
Jancis Robinson OBE MW
Luís de Sottomayor, Head of Winemaking Douro, Sogrape
Neil Tully MW, The Institute of Masters of Wine
Meet the 2025 Scholars
Leila Killoran – Born in Iran and raised in the UK, Leila’s journey reflects resilience and determination. After beginning the MW programme in 2019, she had to withdraw during the pandemic but continued to pursue her passion for wine through studies in viticulture and oenology. Today, she returns to the MW journey with renewed focus and a wealth of hands-on experience.
Sera Svitlana Karamshuk – Originally from Ukraine and now based in the UK, Sera combines scientific rigour and creativity. With a PhD in chemistry and a deep love for wine, she completed her WSET Diploma in record time and now teaches at the WSET School in London. Through her digital education work, she’s redefining how wine is taught and communicated to new audiences.
“It is a privilege to welcome Leila and Sera into this year’s scholarship programme,” – said Joana Pais, Head of Prestige at Sogrape – “Their stories are remarkable, and we’re excited to provide them with mentorship and an immersive education rooted in the heart of Portugal’s winemaking heritage.”
Through this initiative, Sogrape reinforces its commitment to education, diversity, and the development of future talent.
