The Vintners’ Entry Scheme
This scheme was introduced in 2023 to make membership of the Vintners’ Company more accessible to those employed in the wine industry, but who do not know sufficient Vintners to satisfy a Redemption application.
Set on a career in the Industry
Open to all across the full range of careers in the wine industry whether that be sales, marketing, journalism, production etc and aimed at those generally in the age range between 30 and 45.
Applicants must be established in the wine industry (at least 5 years) and firmly set on a long term career in the trade. They must demonstrate their commitment to the trade as part of the application process.
Application Criteria
The scheme is open to applicants who, generally, are aged between 30 and 45 having spent at least 5 years in the trade. There will only be a limted number of places available each year.
The applicant should be employed in a recognised part of the wine industry
The applicant should hold a minimum qualification of WSET Level 2
The applicant should not qualify for membership by Patrimony
The applicant should not be able to achieve the required support for a standard Redemption application
The applicant may be a child of a Vintner who does not qualify for Patrimony or Redemption
During the application process, the candidate will be required to demonstrate to the Membership Committee, through their application form, their reasons for wishing to become a member of the Vintners’ Company and a sincere commitment to a future career in the wine trade.
If called forward for subsequent interview, the candidate will be required to show a reasonable knowledge of the Vintners’ Company together with an understanding of City Livery Companies and their connection to the City of London Corporation.
First Contact
Prospective candidates interested in pursing an application must, in the first instance, contact the Membership Office for advice and guidance on the application process. Applications MUST be complete by the end of July each year to be considered at Membership Committee’s September meeting.
Telephone: 020 7651 0746
Email: membership@vintnershall.co.uk
Selection Process
Completed applications will be presented to the Membership Committee for consideration.
The Membership Committee will either reject or call the applicant to interview. Only exceptional candidates who demonstrate a sincere commitment to the trade will be accepted.
Interview
At interview the Membership Committee will consider the applicant’s suitability for the Vintners’ Entry Scheme. The Membership Committee will either reject or recommend the candidate to Court.
Freedom of the Vintners’ Company
Following Membership Committee’s recommendation, and Court’s subsequent approval, the applicant will be made a Freeman of the Vintners’ Company at a subsequent Court of Binding, usually the following February.
This would take the form of the applicant joining the next annual Court of Binding at which they will be required to make the declaration of a Freeman of the Vintners’ Company in the same manner as all other new members joining by Patrimony and Redemption.
Freedom of the City of London
Thereafter, the applicant will be issued with a Freedom Certificate of the Vintners’ Company indicating ‘Membership by Redemption’. They will then be able to apply for the Freedom of the City of London in the same manner as other Redemption candidates.
Annual Intake Limit
Places on this scheme are limited and only exceptional candiates will be accepted.