▻ Bordeaux Mentor Week

Let's Talk About

10 Mar

Written By Sarah Kemp

In conversation with Jane Anson

Episode Summary:-

Jane Anson talks to Sarah Kemp about “The Bordeaux Mentor Week,” which she launched last year with Chinedu Rita Rosa. The inaugural week was a huge success, with more than 100 applications from 28 countries, from Lagos to Beirut and Sydney to San Francisco, resulting in seven individual “scholars” being chosen to partake in an immersive week on aspects of working in the wine industry, with Jane and Chinedu as mentors. Applications have just opened for the second “Bordeaux Mentor Week,” and it is possible to either apply directly on www.janeanson.com or subscribers to Jane’s site can nominate an individual. The idea behind the week was to help young people starting in the wine industry get to the next stage in their career; last year’s scholars ranged from 18 to 31 years in age.

Jane speaks about how important mentors have been in her career, not just in gaining access but confidence, and so when she launched her own website www.janeanson.com, she decided to organise an immersive week showing the successful seven candidates different aspects of the wine industry. “The whole idea is to get people excited about the possibilities around wine – it’s to grow access and inclusivity in the whole world of wine.” She talks about how the seven scholars made connections and how, during that week, they saw different aspects of the industry from harvesting, working in cellars, to meeting startups and wine innovators.

““I find Bordeaux can be a little closed, it certainly lacks diversity, but what it does is, it gives you the keys to a global knowledge of what happens in wine, because Bordeaux is such a microcosm of what happens in the wine world in general,””

— Jane Anson

Applications for the second edition of the Bordeaux Mentor Week opened on the 2nd of March and close at the end of the month. Jane explains that to apply, you need to go to her website and email your interest, so she can send out an application form. Members of janeanson.com can also propose a candidate. All accommodation and travel in Bordeaux is covered, and there are travel bursaries available. The week would not be possible without sponsors, and Jane thanks the Gerard Basset Foundation and the IWSC Foundation.

Running Order:-

0.00 – 6.11

“It’s been moving, gratifying and energising.”

– The idea behind launching the Bordeaux Mentor Week.
– Last year’s seven candidates.
– What happens during the week.
6.12 – 10.10

“I find Bordeaux can be a little closed, it certainly lacks diversity, but what it does it gives you the keys to a global knowledge of what happens in wine, because Bordeaux is such a microcosm of what happens in the wine world in general.”

– Applications open March 2nd 2023 – close end of month.
– How to apply.
– Costs in the region covered and travel bursaries possible.
– The sponsors: Gerard Basset Foundation and IWSC Foundation.