Penfolds EMEA Award

Recipient announced at WSET Graduation in London

The Penfolds Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Prize, valued at €1,500, was awarded to Ona Rombaut on Wednesday 30 April at the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) Graduation ceremony at Guildhall London.

A sommelier from Ghent, Belgium, Ona achieved outstanding marks in the Level 4 Diploma in Wine in the last academic year, studying at the Winewise.

Owner of two wine bars in Ghent, including Wijnbar Ona, Ona has pursued a WSET qualification to deepen her knowledge of her favorite subject, wine.

"My greatest ambition is to share my passion for wine as widely as possible, making it both accessible and easy to understand for everyone. It’s just this perfect combination of intuition and intellect, creativity and structure, heart and mind. It’s magic to me."

With a belief that the future of hospitality lies in collaboration and coming together to creating something greater than the sum of its parts, Ona believes that passionate, charismatic, and approachable individuals have the power to shape the future of our industry.

"When people see someone who’s knowledgeable yet relatable, it makes the world of wine feel less intimidating and more inviting."

Ona is the recipient of the first Penfolds EMEA Prize awarded in partnership with WSET. The prize is part of the Penfolds Evermore program, delivering on a commitment to making a positive contribution towards a world where future generations can thrive.

Penfolds Evermore

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