WCA Wine Media Cadetship

The 2024 WCA Wine Media Cadetship, available to South Australian residents, is now CLOSED 

Look out for 2025 Media Cadetship announcements mid 2025

The WCA Wine Media Cadetship aims to foster emerging South Australian talent and promote excellence in Australian wine communication. It is geared toward empowering young people who aspire to move (or develop) into the field of wine writing and communication. The program enriches the pool of wine media personnel and creates proud ambassadors to advance the positive promotion of Australia wine on an international stage.

The 2024 award is extra special as the winner will fly to Verona, Italy to accompany the Adelaide contingent to the Great Wines Capital Annual Conference being held in Verona, Italy (major expenses paid).

The WCA Wine Media Cadetship is made possible through the support of ‘Great Wine Capitals – Adelaide, South Australia‘.

2024’s Key Elements:

  • All applicants must be an Australian Citizen residing in South Australia
  • All Applicants must have a valid passport with more than 6 months on it
  • All Applicants must be available and willing to travel to Italy from approx. 17 October for a period of approx. 10 days.
  • The remainder of the program will be tailored to the successful applicant and last approx. 6 months

See other Program and Application Criteria at the bottom of this page in black.

 

KEY DATES

  • Entries Open: 29th August 2024

  • Entries Close: 18 September 2024

  • Interviews in Adelaide: 24 & 25 September 2024

  • 2024 Winner notified: 30th September 2024

  • 2024 Winner officially announced: 4th October 2024 at RAHS Royal Adelaide Wine Show

  • Winner to depart for Italy: 17 October 2024

  • Program continues: November – March 2025 (approx.)

 

PAST WINE MEDIA CADETS

Read articles/blogs written by past cadets here

The Wine Media Cadetship past award recipients include:

2022/23 – Tijana Laganin. Read media release HERE.

2021 – Amanda Eve. Read media release HERE.

2020 – Lachlan Aird. Read media release HERE.

2019 – Mariette Morris. Read media release HERE.

2018 – Dr. Lieke van der Hulst. Read media release HERE.

2017 – Emily Hay Read media release HERE.

 

TESTIMONIALS

The WCA Wine Media Cadet program was an invaluable experience that provided both confidence in my writing capabilities and genuine connections with the people behind the wines. Often we focus so intently on the end product that we forget the hands each bottle passes – thanks to the WCA Cadetship I was given the tools to hear and share these individual stories. From the motley crew that makes McLaren Vale to a multigenerational viticulturist in Langhorne Creek, I am grateful for the reminder of just how unique our Australian Wine industry is.

Tijana Laganin, 22/23 Wine Media Cadet
“The Wine Communicators Cadetship offered me a rare opportunity to form connections, gain industry insights and develop my communication skills. It opened the door to many unique experiences, including breakfast tastings and behind-the-scenes wine show access. But, most importantly, it inspired me to find my voice and become a more confident and passionate advocate within the industry (and Great Wine Capital) that I adore.”
 
Amanda Eve
 
Amanda Eve, 2021 Wine Media Cadet

“The cadetship helped broaden my network, hone my skills and develop an even greater understanding of the wine industry locally and abroad. 

I am a better wine marketer and wine communicator for having taken part.”

Lachlan Aird, 2020 Wine Media Cadet

“Being a wine media cadet gave me the opportunity to further immerse myself in the the world of wine, as well as find my voice in writing.

Lieke Van Der Hulst, 2018 Wine Media Cadet

“The WCA wine media cadetship has been invaluable to the rapid growth and development of my career in wine communications.

The months spend delving into South Australia’s wine industry have giving me a rare insight into exactly why we are so deserving of the Great Wine Capital title. The generosity, passion and dedication of the people, the awe-inspiring landscapes and commitment to both history and innovation all resulting in spectacular products and evocative stories to tell the world.”

Emily Hay

Emily Hay, 2017 Wine Media Cadet, Your Content Goes Here

    

2024 WCA Wine Media Cadetship

Application Form

Step 1 of 2

  • Applicant details

  • DD slash MM slash YYYY
  • If you are not a member and would like to join, please visit our website (https://winecommunicators.com.au/become-a-member/).

If you have any technical issues with the online form, please download the document here, complete and email back to wca@winecommunicators.com.au

2024 WINE MEDIA CADETSHIP_Application Form

If you have any questions, please contact Angus Barnes, Executive Chair of the Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) at exec@winecommunicators.com.au

Program & Application Criteria

The Wine Media Cadet will take part in a customised program, run over 6 month period, and include tailored wine and media experiences.

In 2024 the program starts with a trip to the Great Wines Annual Conference in Verona Italy. As in previous years, the program will also include a number of wine and media experiences within South Australia. Examples of the type of experiences included in the program include:

  • Wine writing/story-telling development with high profile wine writer
  • Multimedia skills development with digital and creative asset experts
  • Opportunity to write blog (or equivalent) content to be published on the GWC website
  • Stewarding at Royal Adelaide Wine Show, attendance at awards lunch
  • Attendance at key premium food and wine events across the state, including the ‘Best of Wine Tourism Awards’.
  • Hosted visits in South Australian wine regions. 

 

The cadetship is open to South Australian residents.

The successful cadet will maintain an online blog, housed on the Adelaide, South Australia Great Wine Capitals website to diarise their experience and promote activities under the Great Wine Capitals program. CLICK HERE to view.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at: exec@winecommunicators.com.au.