New Zealand Winegrowers has announced the successful recipients of the 2025 New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship: Liinaa Berry and Cyndal Petty. The selected scholars will join an elite group of sommeliers from New Zealand, Asia, Canada, the UK, and the USA in experiencing the unique opportunity offered by the Sommit in New Zealand next year.

The New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship, first launched in association with Sommeliers Australia in 2015, has since grown into a global initiative. It is designed to provide passionate wine professionals with an immersive experience in New Zealand’s wine regions, allowing them to connect with the landscapes, varieties, and personalities that make New Zealand wine distinctively unique. Scholarship recipients will attend the 2025 Sommit, hosted by New Zealand wine experts Cameron Douglas MS and Stephen Wong MW, to be held in Gisborne on 17-18 February 2025.

Catherine Wansink, Australia Market Consultant at New Zealand Winegrowers, emphasised the importance of the initiative.

“We deeply value our partnership with Sommeliers Australia for events like Sommit,” said Wansink. “They are a delight to work with, connecting our New Zealand wine community to the local sommelier network. We look forward to hosting the successful sommeliers in New Zealand in 2025 and hope it will be a very special wine experience that will live on for years to come.”

Louella Mathews, president of Sommeliers Australia, added that the group was proud to partner with New Zealand Winegrowers and bring the Sommelier Scholarship and Sommit to the wine professionals of Australia.

“We are especially delighted this year to have two standout Scholars in Cyndal Petty (WA) and Liinaa Berry (VIC) representing our association at the Sommelier Scholarship and Sommit 2025 in February next year,” said Mathews. “We look forward to these two women becoming great ambassadors of New Zealand wine in Australia, and sharing their learnings and insights with their peers and consumers alike.”

Liinaa Berry is a seasoned Wine Consultant with over 20 years in hospitality and a decade specialising in wine. As the wine buyer for the wine bar Embla, she draws on her sommelier background to curate engaging wine programs and collaborate with leading chefs and suppliers. Berry is known for her authentic and intuitive approach to wine, contributing vivid storytelling to various publications, and serving as a regular judge at prestigious wine shows. Her travels through over 35 European wine regions have provided her with a global perspective on the industry, making her a sought-after mentor and educator in the field.

Cyndal Petty, a chef-turned-sommelier, boasts a 15-year career in hospitality, despite being not yet 30 years of age. Her culinary background naturally evolved into a focus on wine, and she currently oversees wine lists for the Parker Group as head of wine. Petty is a wine judge and event host, with experience working in some of the most remote parts of the world. Currently based in Western Australia’s Southwest, Petty is completing her WSET Diploma in Wine while continuing to inspire others with her passion for wine and food.

The scholars will also have the opportunity to attend Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025, an event taking place in Christchurch from 11-13 February, where they will deepen their knowledge of New Zealand’s celebrated Pinot Noir. Additional tastings and region-wide experiences will provide the winners with an in-depth understanding of the New Zealand wine scene, ensuring they return as ambassadors for the country’s vibrant wine industry.

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