| LONDON, UK, 7 MAY 2025
The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) is proud to announce that Henkell Freixenet has joined its international supporter community as a major supporter.
This builds on a previous collaboration at the IMW’s International Symposium in Germany, where Henkell Freixenet supported the opening dinner for 500 guests. As part of the agreement, Henkell Freixenet will host an annual five-day seminar at the Freixenet winery in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Spain. The seminar will provide stage two MW students with unparalleled access and insight into the facility’s world class operation and will also provide them with the opportunity to develop their understanding of the Penedès region and sparkling winemaking. Scheduled to commence in 2026 as part of the 2025-26 study programme, this marks the first time that a student seminar has been held in Spain and expands the offering to six countries worldwide.
IMW Chief Executive Julian Gore-Booth commented: “We are delighted to formalise our relationship with Henkell Freixenet, whose breadth of knowledge and expertise, particularly in the sparkling wine category, will offer immense value to students and MWs alike. The opportunity to host our first student seminar in Spain is particularly exciting, and will provide an invaluable opportunity to our students.”
Head of Communications for Henkell Freixenet Vanessa Lehmann commented: “The IMW is a prestigious network in the international wine business, bringing together excellence, expertise and forward-thinking wine professionals from across the industry. As a company deeply rooted in sparkling and still wines, we believe that supporting education and sharing knowledge are essential to shaping the future of wine — it is a great honour for Henkell Freixenet to become an official supporter of the IMW.”
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For more than 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 424 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 346 students from 43 countries in the 2024-25 MW study programme. The IMW works with 38 supporters and four research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Champagne Bollinger, Constellation Brands and VSPT Wine Group.
For more information visit: https://www.mastersofwine.org/
About Henkell Freixenet
As an international group of companies, Henkell Freixenet is the global market leader for sparkling wine. The unique brand portfolio of Sekt, Cava, Prosecco, Champagne and Crémant as well as still wines and spirits accompanies the moments in consumers’ lives and makes them meaningful. The Henkell Freixenet team is driven by the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship – always with the vision of setting new benchmarks in the industry and the respective product categories and inspiring consumers with innovations and high-quality, sustainably crafted products. Celebrate Life!
Further information at https://www.henkell-freixenet.com |
