Corey Ryan, Senior Winemaker at Villa Maria in New Zealand, is the winner of the 2007 Constellation Scholarship

The Institute of Masters of Wine is delighted to announce the winner of the 2007 Constellation Scholarship, offering the winning student a round-the-world business class trip to visit Constellation’s wineries and vineyards in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, where he will have the opportunity to meet the winemakers, vineyard managers and key people in the business. It is awarded to the student with the highest marks across the theory and practical sections of the Institute’s first year assessment, and the winner this year is Corey Ryan.

Corey, 37, is Senior Winemaker at Villa Maria in New Zealand. Born and raised in the Barossa Valley, he has a Masters of Oenology and a Graduate Diploma in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide. Corey began his career in the Coonawarra with Southcorp, but has since worked all over the world, including, memorably, the 1998 vintage in the Rhone with Chapoutier. On returning to Australia he then spent six years with Henschke in Eden Valley, before moving to Villa Maria in 2002. Corey said, “I am overwhelmed and absolutely delighted to be offered this scholarship.  The Constellation group is a mighty power in the global wine industry and to get a vision into their operations and philosophies regarding winemaking and business will definitely help me in to get over the line with my MW aspirations.”

Troy Christensen, President of Constellation Europe, said: "Education is the lifeblood of the wine industry and we're delighted to have the opportunity, once again, to recognise and reward the dedication of a first year Master of Wine student. On behalf of Constellation Europe I'd like to congratulate Corey Ryan on his achievements; we're proud to be able to offer him the opportunity to visit our wineries and to benefit from meeting the people who work in them. We hope he finds it a valuable and memorable experience as he begins the second year of his Master of Wine qualification.”

Joanna Locke MW, Chairman of The Institute of Masters of Wine, said “This wonderful scholarship provides the winning students with a fabulous opportunity. Constellation’s truly global business coupled with a commitment to excellence matches the Institute’s international approach.

“We know Corey’s work from the lovely wines produced at Villa Maria, and I am delighted that he has won this scholarship, reflecting not only his own considerable talent but also the tremendous commitment of our New Zealand and Australian MWs to the Institute’s Education programme.

“We are very grateful to Constellation Europe, and its President Troy Christensen, for such a strong commitment to wine education.”

Villa Maria is imported, marketed and distributed in Malta by Wands Limited a subsidiary company of the Farsons Group of Companies.