Pia Merrick, inaugural recipient of the Dr Patrick Iland Scholarship. Image courtesy ASVO
The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) has revealed the five successful recipients of the new 2025 ASVO Scholarships.
The new ASVO scholarship program was launched earlier this year, structured with the flexibility to allow applicants to propose a unique professional development opportunity that best suits them, no matter what stage they are at in their career.
As a result, four NextGen Scholarships have been granted, each valued at $1,000, along with one $5,000 Dr Patrick Iland Scholarship.
The inaugural recipient of the Dr Patrick Iland Scholarship is Pia Merrick, head winemaker at Australian Vintage’s Buronga Hill Winery in Mildura, Victoria. Merrick will use the scholarship to attend the Sustainability Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne in March 2026 with the intention of exploring cross-sector strategies for a more sustainable future which may be applied to the wine and grape sector.
The ASVO NextGen Scholarship was awarded to the four exceptional individuals mentioned below. Supported by Wine Australia, these scholarships provide up to $1,000 each to these early-career individuals for professional development within the wine sector.
- Michelle Li, Winemaker at Knappstein Wines in Clare Valley, to assist with registration and workshop fees for the 19th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference. Li hopes to learn from industry experts and gain new critical thinking skills to find novel solutions to winemaking and viticultural challenges.
- Syuzanna Mosikyan, PhD researcher at the University of Adelaide, to undertake a short-term research project on regulations and industry readiness for genome-edited grape varieties in Australia, France, and New Zealand, when combined with a program grant from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
- Keegan Thomson, Cellar hand at Robert Stein Winery in Mudgee NSW, to fund travel expenses to attend the 19th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference. Thomson looks forward to seeing innovative technologies, learning about sustainable production practices, and broadening his perspective on the industry.
- Benjamin Totino, Assistant winemaker at Credaro Family Estate in Margaret River, to support his enrolment in Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level 3 Award in Wines WA course. Totino seeks to improve his own skills in wine evaluation and share his knowledge with vintage/cellar staff to improve wine quality.
President of the ASVO, Andy Clarke, said he was pleased with the range of projects receiving the scholarships, and added that the ASVO was “delighted” to be able to grant scholarships across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia.
“These ASVO scholarships are not only about individual growth and career development, they are also about bringing fresh ideas and expertise back to the Australian wine community,” said Clarke. “We are proud to invest in people who will help lead our industry forward.”
All recipients will report on their experiences and outcomes through ASVO communications channels, ensuring the broader community benefits from their insights.
The Dr Patrick Iland Scholarship is supported by Dr Iland and coauthors of his technical books which are valuable information resources for many people in the industry.
The ASVO Early Career Scholarships are supported by Wine Australia with levies from Australian grape growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.
For more information on ASVO and the scholarship program visit www.asvo.com.au
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