In April 2023, Subhadip Dey and Amit Ojha got together to form Sunburst Vin LLP. In December 2023, it applied to the Gerard Basset Foundation for a grant to expand its business. It went on to win the grant – being one of only 18 grantees out of 44 applicants from 11 countries to do so.
Sunburst Vin is offering 64 scholarships to Indian wine professionals this year, availing of the grant they have won from the Gerard Basset Foundation. These scholarships aim at making wine education freely available to young people.
A word about the Gérard Basset Foundation, named after the late, famous Master Sommelier, Gérard Basset who died following a battle with cancer in 2019. Basset was notably the first individual to hold the MW qualification simultaneously with the Master Sommelier and MBA Wine Business accolades, and his life and vision have inspired many in the wine trade. To carry his dreams and vision forward his wife Nina and son, Romanee decided to create the Foundation in his name.
The Foundation empowers global diversity, equity, and inclusion for wine, spirits and hospitality professionals around the world by funding education, learning and career-enhancing programmes.
Sunburst Vin, in association with the GBF has announced 64 scholarships in wine and spirits education to be made available to youngsters from the east and north-east of India.
Read on to learn more, including what is available and how to apply.
Sunburst Vin came into the limelight after the Gerard Basset Foundation awarded you the scholarship in December 2023 – you are one of 18 international winners and the only one from India to date. Could you explain a little about the scholarship?
Amit The scholarship is aimed at making wine education accessible and affordable for Indian beverage students and professionals, who face financial hardship, gender, caste and religious discrimination.
What is your view about wine and wine education in India? Please mention in brief what, in your experience, you consider are the biggest obstacles to learning for Indian wine enthusiasts and those looking to enter the industry. (Mention examples if you like, of real-life situations)
Amit: Logistics and travel costs too play a key role, in my opinion. It is quite difficult for a lot of youngsters to travel to a Tier 1 city and spend nearly equal to half the course price on accommodation and food.
Subhadip: I think the biggest challenge we face is that there is no formal wine-focused curriculum at the university level. The costs associated with international qualifications are often too high for budding professionals.
In your experience, what jobs are young people looking for in the wine industry that wine education can specifically help with? And how? Do you have any such examples from Sunburst Vin, to share?
Subhadip: People are looking for roles in marketing, wine-tasting, and brand ambassadors. Wine education assists in product knowledge, thus, enabling better consumer satisfaction. At Sunburst Vin, our education efforts are focused on bridging this skill gap.
Amit: Winemaking is another such role that is gaining traction in India. A background in wine assists with in-depth scientific studies.
‘There needs to be more wine courses developed keeping the Indian professionals and consumers in mind’
– Sunburst Vin
Many beverage professionals get frustrated with the lack of opportunities in India after they gain some qualifications. Many feel they need to go abroad and gain recognition for their talent there. What should the wine industry look at, to improve the situation in India and thereby attract quality employees?
Subhadip: Organizations need to increase salary. Beverage professionals are seriously underpaid. They also need to appreciate the expertise of beverage professionals by providing incentives.
Amit: I have noticed the dearth of opportunities as a sommelier in India. Specialised services are often frowned upon, but they provide great value addition to the beverage program of an outlet.
Please comment on the price ranges of costs of qualifications eg WSET, CMS etc? Many youngsters want to compare the options and their specific linked job opportunities before making decisions. What are your views?
Subhadip: There has been no radical change in wine job opportunities which often disappoints youngsters. Hence, a WSET or CMS course is often accessible to a more experienced professional.
Amit: I think there needs to be more wine courses developed keeping the Indian professionals and consumers in mind.
Please mention the 64 scholarships you are offering, for which levels, and how young people can apply. Please go into as much detail as is required.
| Sl. No. | Program Name | No. of Candidates |
| 1 | Introductory Sommelier Preparatory Course (CMS) | 04 (2 per session Summer, Fall) |
| 2 | Preparatory Course for WSET Level 2 Award & WSET Level 2 Award in Wines | 06 (3 per session Summer, Fall) |
| 3 | WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits | 06 (3 per session Summer, Fall) |
| 4 | WSET Level 1 Award in Wines | 06 (3 per session Summer, Fall) |
| 5 | The Business of Wine | 02 (1 per session Summer, Fall) |
| 6 | Three months of basic courses in wine & AlcoBev offered by Sunburst Vin LLP (online / distance mode) | Four times in a year, subject to a minimum class strength of 10 students. |
Total 64 scholarships
People can apply at
Email: contact@sunburstvin.com
Phone : (+91) 9903843880.
Who can apply?
Any hospitality student or professional aspiring to further their wine education may apply.
How to apply?
Please write a motivational letter within 250 words explaining why you are applying for the scholarship and how it will help you fulfill your professional goals. Kindly send the motivation letter along with your name and contact details to: subhadipdey@sunburstvin.com
The deadline for the first application window is March 31, 2024.
Note: On International Women’s Day, the first scholarship (Sunburst Vin X Gerard Basset Foundation) was won by Keerthana KS, wine business development executive at Monika Alcobev. Keerthana holds the WSET Level 3 certificate in wines, and was recently the only woman semi-finalist at the Best Sommelier India 2024 held in Mumbai, conducted by the Indian School of Beverages. The scholarship gives her entry to the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) introductory course to be held in September 2024. Congratulations, Keerthana!
Images: Pexels
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