The number of Australian candidates enrolling in the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) programme has increased 18 per cent in the last 12 months according to Ian Harris, WSET chief executive.

Harris also announced today that Yalumba, Australia’s oldest family owned winery, has become a Bronze Corporate Partner, joining Accolade Wines, Australian Vintage, Treasury and Wine Australia at varying levels.

“The number of Australian candidates taking WSET courses last year rose 18% and numbers are continuing to look strong for this academic year,” said Harris.

“As a market with so much potential in the field, we’re thrilled to add such a notable Australian company as Yalumba to our international Corporate Patrons network and look forward to a long and prosperous future together progressing wine and spirits education in Australia and across the world.”

Robert Hill-Smith, proprietor of Yalumba, voiced his enthusiasm for the partnership. “I have long admired the quality and reach of the WSET programme and in fact have 3 daughters studying and participating at different levels,” said Hill-Smith.

“Many of our wine team are also engaged and it seems a natural partnership.”

Australia has, for some time, been the leading category in the UK in the off-trade, accounting for more than one in five bottles sold and representing 23 per cent value. Value of sales in the UK has increased over the past year by 3 per cent, demonstrating consumers are willing to pay more for Australian wine.

As producers look to strengthen their offer to cater to this market amongst others across the world, Australia has become a strong growth market for wine and spirits education and the eighth largest market for WSET in terms of candidate numbers, seeing double-digit growth each year.

Image: Robert Hill-Smith, proprietor of Yalumba