Bordeaux Mentor Week 2023, applications now open

We are thrilled to announce that the second edition of the Bordeaux Mentor Week will take place from September 25-29, 2023.

A not-for-profit five day education and mentorship programme in Bordeaux to open up knowledge & access, and increase diversity & inclusivity in the wine world. This is not aimed at people looking to work in Bordeaux necessarily, but in using the insights gained here in their future careers within the wine or hospitality industry.

Hosted by co-founders Chinedu Rita Rosa of Vines by Rosa consulting and Jane Anson, author of the groundbreaking Inside Bordeaux book and founder of janeanson.com.

‘The success of last year’s Mentor Week was beyond all our expectations,’ says Anson. ‘The entire experience was as motivating for Chinedu and myself as we hope it was for our scholars, and we have done our best to continue to give advice and contacts ever since. Seeing how the first seven scholars embraced the opportunity and have used it for concrete improvements in their careers has underlined just what an important initiative this is’.

Who can apply?

• The week is aimed at young sommeliers, retailers, wine students, or anyone starting out in the wine trade who would like to get behind the scenes of a region that is key to the global wine market. The intention is to open up knowledge and access of Bordeaux wines, winemaking, methods of distribution and the potential of the sector.
• The week will be offered to seven participants. All accommodations and transport within the region (on the official programme) will be covered for attendees. There will be several travel bursaries available for those who are not able to fund travel to the region, thanks to sponsors Gerard Basset Foundation and the IWSC Foundation.
• See the video below to hear from the seven original scholars, and take a look at a few of their comments…
• ‘This was a really amazing opportunity… organised by self-made women in wine, this was something I appreciated, to gain from their experience…. they really made an excellent programme for us… they got a lot of very different people, with experiences from all over the world’. Isabelle (hospitality student)
• ‘A wonderful experience, it is definitely going to change the way we look forward to getting in to the industry’ Tanmay (hospitality)
• ‘This trip is a lifetime experience… and I am hoping that anyone that has the opportunity to apply for the Bordeaux Mentor Week should be open minded and take the opportunity because this will change your life. I am not the same person who left Lagos Nigeria a week ago’. Tracey (wine sales)
• ‘I have been so grateful to have the opportunity to taste a lot of wines, visit a lot of vineyards, looking at different aspects such as the blending sessions… when you get that experience within the vineyards and talking with the winemakers, you get more insight, I’m going to take all that knowledge to be a better salesman’. Fernando (wine sales)

How to apply:

• Simply email at hello@janeanson.com and we will send you an application form to fill in, asking questions about your experience and motivation.

What happens next?
Applications will be open from March 2, 2023 through to March 31, with scholars announced in April 2023.

And for a little extra motivation…
Please have a look at the two videos below, and have a read through the roundup of the week.

 

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