Wine Australia – the Commonwealth Government statutory authority responsible for supporting and regulating the Australian wine industry – has launched its Emerging Talent Bursary in order to support young Australian wine professionals to participate in the eleventh Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) International Symposium. The Symposium, which was launched in 1982 and takes place approximately once every four years at different host cities around the world, has become a marquee event in the international wine calendar. Each sell-out instalment attracts a lively mix of Masters of Wine, key industry leaders, wine experts, and passionate wine lovers. The 2027 Symposium, which will be held in Adelaide in April of next year, will feature four days of tastings, thought-provoking presentations, lively debate, and networking opportunities with global wine industry thought leaders via winemaker dinners and other social events.
The Symposium represents a significant opportunity for young Australian wine professionals looking to accelerate their careers, expand their global perspective and bring new thinking back to Australia’s wine sector. Unfortunately, the costs involved in registering for the Symposium are significant – a situation that Wine Australia’s Emerging Talent Bursary seeks to remedy. The ten successful applicants for the Bursary will each receive financial support to attend the IMW Symposium 2027, enabling them to engage directly with global experts, Masters of Wine, and international peers.
The Bursary covers not only the cost of attending the Symposium – valued at $3,350 per person – but also includes a travel allowance based on the applicant’s proximity to Adelaide. Applicants can be employed in any part of the Australian wine industry – not just viticulture, winemaking, and research, but also marketing, hospitality, tourism, wine education, wine media, and other related roles. Applicants must be under the age of 35. The applications will be evaluated by a selection panel comprising Wine Australia representatives, industry leaders and Masters of Wine.
“Young professionals want to be part of global conversations early and gain confidence that their ideas belong in the room.”
Emma Symington MW is Wine Australia’s Head of Education Development for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa – in addition to being one of the one of two co-chairs organising the 2027 Symposium – and was instrumental in establishing this bursary. “Young professionals want to be part of global conversations early and gain confidence that their ideas belong in the room,” she says. “But often the cost to attend experiences like the International Masters of Wine International Symposium are out of reach for many. As an organiser of this event, I genuinely want to see more young people attending.”
Symington’s sentiment is echoed by Jenna Vaughan, National Project Officer for the Rootlings network of under-35 wine professionals. “Young professionals want access, not just information,” she says. “Being in the room where big conversations are happening changes how you think about your role and what’s possible. This kind of opportunity helps you bring new ideas back to the workplace and apply them on the ground.”
“Being in the room where big conversations are happening changes how you think about your role and what’s possible. This kind of opportunity helps you bring new ideas back to the workplace and apply them on the ground.”
For Dr. Martin Cole, Wine Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, the bursary is about investing in young Australian wine industry talent. “Young professionals are navigating a wine sector that is changing fast,” he says. “Access to global thinking, education and networks has never been more important. These bursaries are about backing people who are curious, committed and ready to contribute to the future of Australian wine.”
Applications for the Bursary are currently open, and will close at 11:59 pm this Friday 24 April 2026 (Adelaide time) – click here to apply. The application itself consists of a brief questionnaire to establish eligibility for the Bursary, followed by four short-answer written questions (less than 250 words each). We encourage any eligible young Australian wine professionals to apply – this is a rare and exceptional opportunity for professional growth and development.
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