Istituto Grandi Marchi and the Institute Masters of Wine are teaming up again to train new top-level wine professionals.

Continuing the fifteen-year partnership that has seen the Istituto Grandi Marchi among the sponsors of the Institute of Masters of Wine, the introductory course, open to aspiring students and industry professionals from around the world interested in pursuing the prestigious MW program, will return to Italy next March. This initiative marks the resumption of a project that, from 2012 to 2019, supported the training of future Masters of Wine, offering, thanks to the support of the IGM wine families, an initial introduction to the methodologies that characterize the stages leading to the achievement of this renowned international recognition.

Interrupted in 2020 due to the pandemic, this time-honored tradition is now being relaunched with renewed enthusiasm, confirming Istituto Grandi Marchi's ongoing commitment to supporting the development of new professionals capable of communicating internationally, with skill and passion, the world of wine, which increasingly demands solid professionalism, a contemporary vision, and a knowledgeable approach. It is thanks to the courses hosted, in order of years, by Antinori, Michele Chiarlo, Masi, Lungarotti, Mastroberardino, Donnafugata, and Umani Ronchi that Italy can now count on three Masters of Wine: Gabriele Gorelli, Andrea Lonardi, and Pietro Russo. This achievement demonstrates how crucial IGM's support has been in enabling these professionals to undertake one of the most rigorous and selective winemaking training programs in the world.

"We are resuming this partnership with great interest ," explained Piero Mastroberardino, President of the Istituto Grandi Marchi, " aware of the tremendous value of the MW program, which, year after year, continues to generate truly significant results for the Italian wine world. Opening the course to participants from around the world fosters international dialogue and strengthens Italy's reputation as a benchmark for wine education. As ambassadors for the sector, we are committed to supporting those who, like us, promote wine in its entirety, disseminating its many functions as a language, a shared heritage, and a repository of stories and territories."

The new edition, from 26 to 29 March 2026, will be hosted by Rivera , a historic IGM wine family based in Puglia which will see Gabriele Gorelli and Demetri Walters will support the course participants, including the theoretical program, wine tastings from around the world, and their professional experiences.

The course program and conditions of participation can be found at: https://www.mastersofwine.org/events/introductory-course-italy-2026/