Diversity non-profit organisation Curious Vines has announced a partnership with wine education charity Académie du Vin Foundation.
Supporting Curious Vines’ mission to expand wine education beyond the M25, the foundation has provided funding to implement wine education classes in the north of England and beyond.
The move follows the first phase of the initiative, launched last year, which saw the creation of regional satellites in Scotland, Sussex, the Midlands and the North West of England.
With backing from the Académie du Vin Foundation, educational blind tasting sessions will now be offered to those outside of London studying for WSET Level 3, Diploma and all levels of CMS qualifications.
The first sessions will take place in 2026 in Manchester and will be led by Lionel Periner, co-director of the Northern Sommelier Club.
Alongside this, personal development support will be delivered through a highly subsidised online confidence workshop, led by Curious Vines’ skills coach Beth Hocking.
Queena Wong, founder of Curious Vines, said: “It is vital that Curious Vines truly embodies the definition of inclusion. For the last year, my teams in both London and our regional satellites across the UK have worked collectively, striving towards our goal of geographic inclusivity within the Curious Vines community.
“Now, with the support of the Académie du Vin Foundation, Curious Vines can deliver equitable access to the education and development opportunities nationwide, offering the same support that London has had to those further afield, helping to build brighter and more sustainable careers across the industry.”
Adam Lechmere, general manager at Académie du Vin Foundation, added: “We are delighted to be associated with the Curious Vines’ Education and Development Programme. Diversity and inclusion across wine and spirits and every aspect of hospitality is absolutely vital in our industry – and it’s equally important that we take that message outside the capital.
“Education and development have always been far more accessible in London and the southeast of England than it has in the rest of the country – Curious Vines, with the support of Académie du Vin Foundation, is redressing that balance.”
