Casa Ferreirinha announces opening of applications for the Barca‑Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships 2026
Casa Ferreirinha, a historic Douro producer and a brand in the Sogrape portfolio, announces, in partnership with the Gérard Basset Foundation, the opening of applications for the Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships 2026. Bearing the name of Portugal’s most iconic wine, this initiative symbolizes a strong commitment to excellence and to the future of knowledge in the global wine sector.
The Barca-Velha Golden Vines® MW Scholarships are designed to support candidates on their path toward the prestigious Master of Wine (MW) qualification, awarded by The Institute of Masters of Wine and widely regarded as one of the most demanding and respected distinctions in the world of wine. Each recipient will receive funding of £35,000 (GBP) to cover the costs of the Master of Wine programme, as well as a tailor-made internship programme, developed with the support of an international panel of mentors and carried out in collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits estates.
In addition, scholarship recipients will be invited to take part in an exclusive Sogrape experience in Portugal, visiting the company’s estates in Porto, the Douro and other key wine regions. During this experience, they will have the opportunity to engage with Sogrape’s technical teams and learn first-hand from the expertise of one of the world’s leading wine companies.
The jury panel responsible for selecting the winners is composed of six leading figures in the industry: Richard Bampfield MW; Nina Basset FIH, representing the Gérard Basset Foundation; António Graça, Director of Research and Development at Sogrape; Joana Pais, Prestige Brands Director at Sogrape; Jancis Robinson OBE MW; and Neil Tully MW, representing The Institute of Masters of Wine.
In the 2025 edition, the scholarships were awarded to Sera Svitlana Karamshuk, a Ukrainian national based in the United Kingdom, and Leila Killoran, of Iranian origin and resident in the United Kingdom. Both highlighted the transformative impact of this opportunity—not only for the essential financial support it provides, but also for the recognition and career opportunities it unlocks for those pursuing excellence in the wine sector.
Aligned with the values of social responsibility and inclusion shared by Sogrape and the Gérard Basset Foundation, the initiative actively encourages applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting greater representation in access to knowledge and leadership positions within the wine industry.
