Sarah Benson MW, newly appointed buyer at Alliance Wine, reflects on three of the biggest lessons she has learned on her path through the wine world. She talks switching careers, navigating the Master of Wine exams and understanding the trade.
Achieving is about adapting, not working harder
The Master of Wine was the first time I ever failed an exam. I passed the theory paper first time but failed the tasting, which was devastating. My instinct was simply to work harder – that had always been my formula at school, at university and in jobs. However, I failed the tasting a second time and did even worse.
That was the moment I realised something had to change. I started training with a sports psychologist who also coaches people preparing for SAS selection. He told me he saw many parallels with the MW: intense pressure, high stakes and the need for absolute focus. The SAS bite the heads off live poisonous snakes to pass, or so the rumour goes, so surely tasting 36 glasses of wine accurately and honestly had to be achievable.
His advice was transformative – trust the process, let go of the outcome and be completely present in each moment of tasting. I stopped thinking ahead to the exam result or second guessing what I should write. Instead, I tasted each wine systematically and focused on them in turn. I passed. It taught me a lesson that working harder isn’t always the answer, sometimes you need to approach the challenge differently.
Building honest relationships is everything in wine
Wine is a world where even the best laid plans can be upended overnight. A difficult vintage, shifting customer behaviours, changing legislation, logistics issues or tariff swings can cause havoc after months of hard work. Through all those scenarios what I’ve learned to value most is honest, open relationships with my supply base. The best partnerships I’ve had are ones that have been built on a foundation of honesty and openness about the challenges we’re both facing. Ultimately, we’re all aiming for the same goal – to sell more wine, sustainably and successfully.
Being able to have frank conversations about what’s working, what isn’t and what each side needs, is the basis for navigating the unexpected together. Without that transparency, everything becomes harder and, with it, even major setbacks become solvable together.
All you need is one person to believe in you
When it comes to starting in wine, all you need is the belief of one person. I am often asked how I started in wine, because it wasn’t my first career. I was working in translation before making the switch. I had completed several WSET courses under my own steam and I was committed, but I didn’t have the direct experience in the trade. My break came from Philippa Carr MW, who gave me my first wine job. She took a chance on me when I was new and struggling with a corkscrew. Philippa became a mentor and is now a friend, and I’ll always be grateful for her leap of faith. It’s a big part of why I encourage people not to write themselves off just because they don’t have experience or didn’t follow a traditional path. We all start somewhere. Sometimes you just need one person to see your potential.
