WSET is delighted to welcome the support of Yalumba as a Bronze Corporate Patron.
Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family owned winery, established in 1849, and as a wine community leader has played a significant part in the investment and effort required to reach and educate the next generation of wine influencers wherever they participate in the wider wine fraternity.
With such strong passion and influence in the field, Yalumba has now joined WSET as a Bronze Corporate Patron amongst an illustrious list of organisations in WSET’s Corporate Patrons programme.
The Corporate Patrons programme ensures that WSET receives essential funding to allow it to continue to develop its world-class courses and qualifications, as well as maintain and advance its online Global Campus and Alumni programme for graduates. The partnerships help organisations add value to their own business by maximising the benefits of training and joining WSET’s global network of professionals and enthusiasts.
In the UK, Australia has for some time been the leading category in the off-trade accounting for more than one in five bottles sold (also representing 23% value)*. Value of sales in the UK has increased over the past year by 3%, demonstrating consumers are willing to pay more for Australian wine. As producers look to strengthen their offer to cater to this market amongst others across the world, Australia has become a strong growth market for wine and spirits education and the eighth largest market for WSET in terms of candidate numbers, seeing double digit growth each year.
Ian Harris, WSET's Chief Executive, says:
“The number of Australian candidates taking WSET courses last year rose 18% and numbers are continuing to look strong for this academic year. As a market with so much potential in the field, we’re thrilled to add such a notable Australian company as Yalumba to our international Corporate Patrons network and look forward to a long and prosperous future together progressing wine and spirits education in Australia and across the world.”
Robert Hill-Smith, Proprietor of Yalumba, says:
“I have long admired the quality and reach of the WSET programme and in fact have 3 daughters studying and participating at different levels. Many of our wine team are also engaged and it seems a natural partnership”.
*Source: Wine Australia UK Off-trade Market Still Wine Sales Trend Report - Year Ended 22 December 2016
