Debra Meiburg MW launches MWM Wine School

Debra Meiburg MW has announced the opening of her new wine school, MWM Wine School in Hong Kong, which promises to “reshape wine education into a total lifestyle experience”.

The school will be offering WSET courses and student registrations are open today, with an official launch party on 26 May.

Located in the heart of Hong Kong’s emerging art and lifestyle hub of Wong Chuk Hang, the MWM Wine School boasts modern teaching facilities, lively curriculum, top qualified teaching staff and robust alumni program.

In addition to a group of seasoned wine educators, the school will also have winemakers, Masters of Wine, and other experts visiting Hong Kong guest lecturing, “one exclusive feature of the school”, said Meiburg Wine Media.

According to the company, the Master of Wine and her team have refined and tailored the curriculum to be relevant to Hong Kong and Asia-based students.

Debra Meiburg MW and Dean of MWM Wine School said, “Our approach to wine education is based around the concept that learning and wine should both be fun – without a lively, engaging atmosphere, even the very best, world-class information means nothing.

“Following a lengthy career in wine education at various levels – from being a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, to teaching the basics to those who’ve never had a sip, to now being Chair of the Education Committee for the Institute of Masters of Wine – I’ve developed a cache of techniques and teaching methods which we’ve integrated into the syllabi.”

Hong Kong is a hot spot for wine education, with the WSET opening its first international office in the city late last year to meet the prolific growth in demand for wine and spirits education across Greater China.

In 2016 alone 72,171 people globally studied in the WSET program, making it the world’s most in-demand and respected education program.

“It is my heartfelt belief that true wine lovers are “students” for life. As such, we wanted to create a dynamic community for our students following the completion of their courses. As such, we have designed a robust Alumni program – a community of like-minded wine enthusiasts, both professional and consumers – who may continue to taste, enjoy, explore and discover wine via events, gatherings and other avenues well after their exams are done. It is all part of the total lifestyle experience that MWM Wine School offers.”

Ian Harris, WSET chief executive, said, “I am delighted that MWM Wine School is now approved to run WSET Programs; Debra Meiburg MW is by far the most influential person working in the Asian wine market today, and I am sure that with Debra at the helm, the school will be a great success.

“Wine education is playing a big part in the growth of the wine markets of Asia, and the number of WSET students across Asia has grown exponentially in the last 10 years, mirroring the growth in the market. In the last 12 months, over 20,000 students have taken a WSET course across the region, with China being the biggest single market for WSET, and we are expecting continued growth. I look forward to hearing of the success of MWM Wine School when I visit Hong Kong and China later this year”.

A California-born, 30-year resident of Hong Kong, Meiburg is Asia’s first Master of Wine, a prestigious title that she obtained nine years ago.