Are you looking for advice and support to navigate the next steps for your career in wine? As we celebrate 10 years of Women in Wine LDN (!!!), we’re proud to launch our very first mentorship programme.
Applications are officially open until Monday 1st September 2025!
applications are now closed
Who can apply?
This programme is open to women and people of marginalised genders who earn a living by working in the wine industry in the broadest sense - we welcome applicants working in hospitality, production, sales, marketing, education, customer service and beyond! It’s suited to those who are looking to get practical and specific career guidance over the medium term (6 months).
We have a range of fantastic mentors from mid level to super senior, therefore this mentorship programme is open to those just starting out in their careers up to those working at the upper-mid level. You’ll be matched according to your current position, and can specify further requests in the application form.
What can I expect from my mentor?
Mentors have been asked to meet with their mentee, remotely or in person, a minimum of 3 times over a 6 month period, starting from 15th September 2025. They will be matched according to your application and can offer guidance in whichever way works for you. Once matched, it is for mentees to establish the goals they would like support with and for mentees and mentors to discuss together what is manageable and achievable.
What is required from me as a mentee?
We are delighted to have a selection of mentors at the top of their game whose time is valuable. In order to get the most out of the programme (and their precious time!) mentees are expected to have given consideration to what they would like to gain from the experience, as well as an updated CV they can send to their allocated mentor prior to their first meeting. This is so mentees can hit the ground running and get the most out of the time they have with their mentors. Other than that, this programme is for mentees to lead and decide how they can best be supported. Providing as much detail as possible in your application form is a great start!
I don’t work in the wine industry. Can I still apply?
We want to prioritise those currently earning a living in the wine industry, which absolutely includes those who have just started out. If you are seriously thinking about transitioning into wine but have not made the leap yet, please email us at hello@womeninwine.co.uk with some information about your current circumstances and any further detail you can provide to show you are seriously looking to move into the wine industry.
I’d like to become a mentor. Can I register interest?
Absolutely! The more mentors we have, the more mentees we can support. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email hello@womeninwine.co.uk and we can send further details.
our mentors
I like to help people. I am curious about their motivations and beliefs and how they can develop and progress to fulfil their ambition. This led me to train as a coach. It's really helpful - especially with teenage kids :) I'm passionate about culture and inclusion. I love travel and dogs! My experience is in medium to large organisations. I started my career in finance in FMCG before moving into Consultancy and then Wine. Most recently at WSET as CEO.
Michelle Brampton
CEO, WSET
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Regine joined the wine trade in 2010 after working in management consulting. She is currently the Managing Director of UK-based importer, Indigo Wine. She previously worked at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust focussing on their Asia markets, and at wine importer Liberty Wines in several management roles. She has experience in: commercial strategy, operations, change management, sales, training/education, and buying. In addition to her work, she did a vintage at Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and founded Women in Wine London in 2015, a trade networking group. In 2018, she became a Master of Wine. She has been recognised as an IWSC/WSET’s Future 50 Award Winner and a nominee for WSET’s Outstanding Alumni Award. Regine is also a Freeman of the Vintners’ Company, and a Trustee of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Regine Lee MW
Managing Director, Indigo Wine
I’ve had the pleasure of working in the wine trade for over ten years, starting as a sommelier (The 10 Cases, Trinity Restaurant, Kerridge's Bar & Grill), before moving into trade sales (Roberson Wine) and e-commerce management (Roberson Wine, The Sourcing Table). Along the way, I learned from some of the best in the business, not just regarding my wine knowledge, but also in how to communicate that knowledge to a wider audience. Now, as the Communications Lead at Liberty Wines, I work with almost every department in the business to share our amazing producers' stories in a way that does them justice while remaining commercially relevant. My skill set includes social media and press management, business communication strategy, copywriting, website management and SEO, wine journalism and email marketing. If any of these areas are of interest to you, I would be thrilled to help you develop through this mentoring scheme.
ellen doggett
Communications Lead, Liberty Wines
Christopher Martin MW is Director of Education at Wine Scholar Guild and has spent over a decade working in wine education across Europe, the US and Asia. He’s led training programmes, shaped global curricula, and still finds joy in helping people connect the dots between what’s in the glass and what’s behind it. A Master of Wine since 2024 and international wine judge, he balances rigour with humour—and is just as happy dissecting tasting methods as he is debating the best sour gummy candy. His focus today is on building engaging, thoughtful courses that make wine more meaningful (and a bit more fun) to study.
chris martin mw
Director of Education, Wine Scholar Guild
Hermione Ireland is the Managing Director of Académie du Vin Library, the world’s leading dedicated wine book publisher which now includes the Classic Wine Library list. Hermione is a very experienced marketing, PR and sales professional and has worked in the UK consumer publishing industry for 30 years. Before joining AdVL she held senior roles at Penguin, Hachette and Harper Collins. She chairs the UK Board of Trustees for Worldreader, a digital literacy charity. Hermione attended Stanford’s GSB Summer Executive Program in 2013 where she studied with senior executives from a wide range of industries and from many other countries. She also holds WSET Level 3 with Distinction and loves being part of the wine industry, particularly focusing on wine communcations.
hermione ireland
Managing Director and Publisher, Académie du Vin Library
Hannah began her career in the wine trade in 2011 at Atlas Fine Wines. She was responsible for marketing and events, with a particular focus on working with private clients to build collections for both enjoyment and long-term investment. During her time at Atlas, she completed the WSET Diploma.
In 2019, Hannah joined Bancroft Wines as Head of Marketing. There, she oversees a comprehensive marketing and events programme across a portfolio of nearly 200 producers represented.
She is also a founding member of Women in Wine London, a network created to support, connect, and empower women across all areas of the wine industry — an initiative she considers one of her proudest professional achievements.
hannah van susteren
Head of Marketing, Bancroft Wines
Shane Jones, DipWSET is a distinguished wine educator, wine judge, presenter and writer known for his excellent command of his specialisms: German wine, sparking wines, fortified wine and Italian wines. He holds the prestigious Diploma in Wines and Spirits accredited by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), is a Certified Cava and Port Educator and recently became and Italian Wine Ambassador with the Vinitaly Wine Academy.
He has more than a decade of experience in wine education and can be found teaching at various institution in the UK, Germany and France. As a judge at the world’s leading wine competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards he adjudicates on the panels of Champagne, Port & Madeira and most naturally, Germany.
His writing has seen him contribute to the leading wine consumer magazine, Decanter along with others consumer publications such as Foodism and Delicious.
Shane is particularly known for his passion and enthusiasm for the subject of wine and is acclaimed for his ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and a sense of fun.
shane jones
Wine Educator, WSET
Clare began her wine career in 2006, working at Bibendum Wines as an On-Trade support manager. During her time with Bibendum, they kindly sponsored her WSET qualifications up to Diploma level and before long, Clare had well and truly caught the wine bug.
While on holiday in California, a visit to Calera Winery inspired Clare to enrol at Plumpton College (immediately after getting back!) to study a BSc in Viticulture and Oenology. This is where she met her future lifelong friend and business partner, Luke Wolfe. She has since worked many harvests at UK wineries as well as returning to Calera in 2011 for vintage. Today, Clare juggles Whitewolfe with an award-winning career in wine education at Liberty Wines, where she does her best to ensure her students catch the wine bug, too!
clare whitehead
Head of Education, Liberty Wines
Hey, I’m Pippa and founder of Kiwi Cru. After working in the wine industry for 8 years, including roles at both Berry Brothers & Rudd and Bolney Wine Estate. I got the chance to travel around one of the wine world’s best-kept secrets… New Zealand. I immediately fell in love with the country, it’s culture and their extraordinary wines! After having discovered the lesser-known, smaller-scale gems, I made it my mission to put these quality NZ wines on the UK map. At Kiwi Cru, we are able to share the best of them with you through our wine tasting events and online retail.
pippa wood
Founder, Kiwi Cru
Originally from San Francisco, Ousi’s career began in startups, though after two Californian harvests and courses in viticulture and enology, she followed her passion into wine. She worked for six years at the US-based retailer Flatiron Wines as Head of Marketing and Champagne Buyer before joining Lay & Wheeler in the UK in 2022 where she held positions as Head of Client Analytics followed by Head of Merchandising and Customer Experience (mat leave commencing May 2025). Ousi also holds a MSc from the London School of Economics and a B.A. from Wellesley College. She received her WSET Diploma in 2019 and is currently a Stage 2 MW student.
Ousi Li
Head of Merchandising & Customer Experience, Lay & Wheeler
Léonor was born in Normandy and grew up near Paris. She moved to London to study at the London University of the Arts before entering the wine trade in 2010 to work for Armit Wines. In 2018, she moved to Roberson Wines, in their operations team, before joining Flint in 2020.
Léonor Roberts
Shipping Manager, Flint Wines
Edwina has been a buyer for fifteen years, starting her career as a trainee at Majestic, followed by buying roles at Lay & Wheeler, Armit Wines, Liberty Wines and now Fortnum & Mason. Experienced in buying for different channels in the UK: private client, retail, hospitality and agency/distributer. A friendly, well-connected French speaker and Italophile.
edwina watson
Senior Buyer, Fortnum & Mason
Ian studied languages at London University after attending Dulwich College. He began his career in the wine trade at Waverley Vintners before joining Seagram in 1987, where he held roles in sales, marketing and global brand management, finishing as Marketing and Commercial Director of Seagram UK. From 2002 to 2022 he was Chief Executive of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), overseeing its growth into a global leader in drinks education and receiving an MBE for Services to the Wine and Spirits Industry. Since 2022, Ian has taken on a range of charitable and consultancy roles, including serving as Chairman, Trustee and Patron of several organisations.
Ian Harris
Upper Warden, The Vintners Company
A veteran in our industry, I have over 20 years of experience selling wines across various companies In the UK. I love supporting women in their wine journey and never shy away from sharing my wine tribulations and insight whenever suitable.
Françoise Mathis
Trade Sales, Flint Wines
Alex studied History and Italian at university, and got his start in the wine trade at Majestic. After a brief stint in sales, he moved into Brand Management, working for Liberty Wines and Armit. He joined the fine wine trader Bordeaux Index in 2024. He has a passion for all things Italian and would gladly spend the rest of his days drinking Sangiovese. Alex holds the WSET Diploma, and is currently studying for the Master of Wine. Outside of work, Alex is an enthusiastic if messy cook, weightlifter, and cat dad.
Alexander Aldersley-Hey
Buyer, Bordeaux Index
A Chartered Accountant who has working in the drinks trade for 30 years, currently self employed as a consultant advising a variety of clients on their businesses including Bancroft Wines, WSET, Thorman Hunt, Graft Wines, Fells. Worked as COO at Liberty Wines for almost 15 years and oversaw 10-fold growth in profits leading to a successful trade sale of the company. Managed a team of 70 people at Liberty Wines across Finance, Operations, IT, HR and Warehouse. Gary has been on the boards of multiple companies, mainly, but not exclusively within the drinks trade, and has real experience of developing both companies and people and working with large multinational companies such as Seagram and Allied Domecq in the UK and overseas as well as small companies and start-ups.
Gary Wyatt
Consultant, Wyatt Consulting
Victoria Daskal is a London-based freelance wine writer, educator, judge, and consultant with over 15 years in the wine industry.
Her work has appeared in the Financial Times, Decanter, and The World of Fine Wine, where she was formerly Managing Editor. A certified WSET educator, she teaches Diploma-level courses and judges at international wine competitions.
Victoria also leads marketing and membership engagement at the Old Vine Conference, supporting the global preservation of historic vineyards. She regularly speaks at trade tastings, organizes masterclasses, and is a lecturer for Martin Randall Travel, leading tours such as Gastronomic Provence.
Passionate about exploring wine through the lens of art, culture, and history, she brings a rich, multifaceted perspective to her work.
You can find Victoria on Instagram @victoridaskalwine and on her website www.victoriadaskal.com
Victoria Daskal
Freelance Writer, Presenter, Consultant
With a career spanning over 25 years in PR, mostly in the wine sector, Madeleine has a wealth of experience in the industry. She runs her own consultancy, co.co, and is the PR Director for Swirl Wine Group's clients. She has worked with many wine regions and countries, as well as with individual wineries and allied industries. She won the IWC Generic Campaign of the Year Award for her work with Wines of Lebanon and has promoted other regions including Napa Valley, Wines of Turkey, Wines of Tejo and currently works on Wines of Georgia and the Consorzio of Prosecco Superiore DOCG with Swirl Wine Group. She also runs the UK PR for AXA Millésimes, Domaine des Tourelles from Lebanon and Brunello’s Castiglion del Bosco. She holds the WSET Diploma.
Madeleine Waters
We Are Coco Ltd