And the 2025 winner is...

Sinead Mccarthy, Owner of Fíon Eile - Dublin

2025 final course day was greeted by incredible sunshine and the warmth we had been experiencing all week. But with a slight change to the norm, that Saturday we kicked off the final exams with our vin clair and blind tasting. Following the practical tasting exams, the candidates went into one final written test on marketing and global export knowledge. The 2025 cohort then made their way to Le Grand Cerf, for their final luncheon & award presentation.

I am pleased to announce all of our 2025 candidates passed with flying colours, please welcome our new Academicians:

Henry Vannan

Kayleigh Vidler

Min Yee Tseu

Arnaud Dolmazon

Sinead McCarthy

Nadia Khan

Martin Jezek

Matteo Furlan

Emer Landgraf

Mickael Metayer

Jim Bass

Jake Biggs

Paul Stibbles

Diana Thompson

Jess Counsell

Mariana Fernandes de Moraes

As Chairman, it is my pleasure to welcome them to the Champagne Academy Family. And to thank all involved for such a successful course, with this year's focus as the Academy front of mind!

Craig Bonner - Chairman 2025

A Week to Remember at the Champagne Academy by Sinead Mccarthy

'My week at the Champagne Academy was, honestly, one of the best experiences of my career so far. It was the perfect mix of serious learning and serious fun. I spent it with the most brilliant bunch of people in the trade, and it didn’t take long before we felt more like old friends than classmates.

We were spoiled by all 16 Houses, who welcomed us into their vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms with incredible generosity. Mornings were packed with deep dives into terroir and winemaking. Afternoons were dedicated to tasting some of the best bubbles on the planet. I came home buzzing with ideas and have already put my new knowledge to work by hosting a sell-out Champagne tasting at my own wine bar.

Huge thanks to every House for making us feel so welcome, and especially to this year’s presidential House, the fabulous Veuve Clicquot, for pulling off such a memorable and once-in-a-lifetime week. I will be raising a glass to all my fellow academicians for many years to come.'

If you know someone who would love to attend the course, please share www.champagneacademy.co.uk/course