Hong Kong's evolution into a wine hub will require much more than just a tax-free environment. The nurturing and development of wine professionals is just as pivotal to the city if it is to emerge as a serious contender in the wine business to London and New York.
Bonhams Asia, the first auction house in Hong Kong to resume wine auctioning following a 10-year hiatus, has taken the first step to improve the standard of professionalism in the business with the launch of its wine education scholarships.
A first in the city, the initiative will allow students with no previous wine studies or wine related experience to fulfil their dreams of joining the industry.
'The expansion of the wine industry has created an increased need for a qualified work force and this is where our Bonhams Wine Education Scholarships, the first in Hong Kong and Asia, fits in,' said Carson Chan, managing director of Bonhams Asia.
'We hope that the scholarships will enable young Hong Kong people, who are not in the wine industry, to enter [it]. Upon graduation, they will add to the pool of wine professionals essential to the further healthy development of the business in Hong Kong,' Mr Chan said.
'We are also doing this to support the government's goal in strengthening wine-related education and manpower training as part of its initiative to turn Hong Kong into a wine hub.'
Ten scholarships, starting this September, are being offered. Eight of which are for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) level3 advanced certificate, and two for the level4 diploma.
