Jo Kitley, a dedicated student at Erica Dent’s Hampshire-based Enjoy Discovering Wine School, has been awarded the highly prestigious Vintners’ Cup by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). This global accolade is presented annually to the graduate who achieves the highest overall mark across all units of the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines – the highest qualification offered by WSET.
Jo received the award during the WSET’s annual Awards & Graduation Ceremony held at London’s historic Guildhall last week. The ceremony celebrated a record-breaking 809 new Diploma graduates from 46 countries across six continents, marking the largest graduating cohort in WSET’s history.
The Vintners’ Cup, established in 1946 and sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Vintners, is one of the wine education industry’s most prestigious honours. It recognises outstanding academic achievement, deep understanding of the complexities of wine and spirits, and a commitment to excellence in the field.
Jo Kitley, who is also a doctor at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, acknowledged the vital role her wine educators played in her success:
“I studied with Enjoy Discovering Wine in Hampshire, the educators, Erica and Jim, work phenomenally hard to
ensure that the course is interesting, really different from the usual classroom style of teaching and above all fun. They deserve to have a prize-winning student and I’m really honoured to be that person.”
Hamble resident, Erica Dent of Enjoy Discovering Wine, Winchester expressed her pride in Jo’s remarkable achievement: “Jo’s globally recognised achievement is a reflection of her dedication, work ethic, and passion for the world of wine. It’s been a joy to guide her and the rest of our graduates through the diploma, and her success is richly deserved.”
Founded by Erica Dent 18 years ago and one of only three UK Approved Programme Providers for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma, Enjoy Discovering Wine has successfully guided 47 students through the WSET Diploma in the past three years. Jo’s win is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of the school’s commitment to delivering high-quality, student-focused wine education.
Jim Gore and Erica Dent with their student, Jo Kitley, winner of the top WSET Diploma Award the Vintners Cup.
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