Outstanding Alumni Award

Based in Shanghai, Liwen was the first Chinese wine critic to join Robert Parker’s team. As well as working as the team’s Asian wine and sake reviewer for the past four years, he has also written for a variety of other titles about wines in China and sake in Japan. Previously editor-in-chief of Wine Press Magazine, Liwen is one of the best-known wine writers and influencers in China and has published three books about wine and sake. He also runs Happy Vino Wine Education which is a WSET Approved Programme Provider. He achieved his WSET Diploma in 2012.

“I have a great interest in writing and teaching about wine and sake and I really enjoy sharing my passion and knowledge with people. Whenever people hear me talk about wine and sake or read my articles – as well as when we share these great drinks together – I hope it wins them even more new fans.”

DJ Kearney’s decades in the wine industry have embraced teaching, wine writing & criticism, judging and speaking.  DJ was a WSET Diploma graduate in 2002, holds the ISG Sommelier Certification and has spent four years in the MW programme. She is a WSET educator working for many global wine bodies, and has trained hundreds of sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild. DJ is Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, BC Chapter. She heads the WSET program at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and has started a judge training program in Canada to help prepare the next generation of wine judges. DJ was honoured by her colleagues as the Spirited Industry Professional of 2019.

“I am extremely honoured and gratified to be nominated for the WSET Outstanding Alumni Award 2019.  I began my WSET studies almost two decades ago, and have had the privilege of teaching this exemplary programme for many years. Through this opportunity I discovered a true vocation and love for education, and have shared the joy of wine with all students who pass through my classroom.”

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area but now UK-based, Regine’s love of wine developed after countless day trips to Napa and culminated in becoming an MW in 2018. After a career in management consulting, she made a switch to the wine industry ten years ago. She has worked at WSET to expand wine education in Asia-Pacific and in various sales, operations, trade marketing and education roles at Liberty Wines. Regine has also gained winemaking experience at Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. She completed her WSET Diploma in 2013. Passionate about gender equality in the workplace, she co-founded Women in Wine London, a trade networking group that is currently 600 people strong.

“Ten years ago when I joined the wine trade, I promised myself to work hard, be bold, take risks and make the most of being in this fantastic industry. I’m absolutely thrilled to be nominated for WSET’s Outstanding Alumni Award and humbled by the recognition.”

An MW and wine educator with as much expertise in spirits, Jennifer completed her WSET Diploma in 2002. She has trained thousands of drinks industry professionals and is now encouraging education amongst enthusiasts through her books and courses. She judges in wine and spirit competitions and has been honoured with an international tasting trophy for her palate. She is one of the US trade media’s most popular experts on wine and spirits. She is also a board member for the American Friends of Cité du Vin in Bordeaux and a partner in the technology firm Wine Ring.

“WSET is an outstanding educational institution and I am proud to point wine enthusiasts and students their way.  Their integrity, rigor, growth and reach since I received my Diploma in 2002 has been remarkable and a pleasure to watch.  It is truly an honor just to be nominated.”