On Friday, January 17, 2025, WSPC held the official Graduation Ceremony of the WSET Diplomas and Level 3 in Wines. This year, for the first time, the WSPC Sommelier Academy celebrated the graduates of its first two stages.

This brilliant event took place at the Onassis Foundation’s House of Letters and Arts. With more than 650 guests – graduates, trainers, distinguished professionals from the wine, spirits, tourism markets, journalists and influencers – the event was a reference point for Greek education in the field of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The WSET degrees were awarded by Mr. Konstantinos Lazarakis MW – President of WSPC, and Ms. Michelle Brampton – CEO of WSET, the world’s leading drinks education provider, graced the event with her presence.
As WSPC celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the atmosphere at the graduation ceremony was filled with the glow of celebrating these 20 years! Thus, the speeches of WSPC’s No. 1 Lecturer, Mr. Nikos Loukakis, and the No. 1 student, Mr. Grigoris Michailos DipWSET, were emotional.

Exactly 20 years ago, WSPC founder and president, Mr. Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, first of all invited Mr. Loukakis to assist him in the education of wine and spirits professionals. This year, in 2025, WSPC has 20 Lecturers, including of course Mr. Gregory Michailos Dip WSET!

Achievements and Scholarships

WSPC honored 21 new WSET Diploma holders, setting a record for graduates for the 2022-2023 biennium, while Excellence scholarships were awarded to professionals and students who excelled in the fields of wine, spirits, coffee-cocoa-tea, and SAKE. A moving moment was the awarding of honorary scholarships in memory of: Dr. Stavroula Kourakou – Dragonas, Yiannis Boutaris and former Minister Nikolaos Skoulas, as well as the scholarship for single-parent families from WSPC and the Gérard Basset Foundation.

Exemplary Award 2025

The ceremony included the institutional awarding of the “WSPC Exemplary Award“. WSPC, at each official graduation of its students, awards an honorary title to personalities who have distinguished themselves for their vision, ethos, and contribution to the development of Greek winemaking, both at home and abroad. This year it was awarded to the distinguished Professor of Viticulture, Mr. Stefanos D. Koundouras, for his rich scientific and professional work. It is no coincidence that Prof. Stefanos Koundouras has been included time and again in Stanford University’s list of the top 2% of Scientists worldwide.

Strategic Sponsors

The contribution of strategic sponsors was crucial to the success of the evening and the broader mission of WSPC. Special thanks are due to organizations and businesses that awarded the Outstanding Student Scholarships, such as: Alpha Estate, Orealios Gaea, Biblia Chora Estate, Gaia Wines, Bungalows Marina, Gerovassiliou Estate, Gkirlemis Winery, Attica Vineyard Wine Producers Association, Coca-Cola 3E, Aeolos, Kir-Yiannis Estate, Seméli Estate, Karavitaki Vineyards, Apostolaki Family Tsipouro, Gerard Basset Foundation, Spiropoulos Estate, Nico Lazaridi Estate, Dynamic Wines & Spirits, Lost Lake Distillery, Vinetum, Domaine Skouras, Cellier, Winemakers of North Greece, and Vaptistis Winery.
Warm thanks to STEGI Onassis for hosting the event, as well as to Nestlé with its Acqua Panna, S. Pellegrino and Perrier waters, which have contributed and continue to contribute significantly to WSPC’s educational work for many years.

WSPC plays a leading role in education in the beverage industry, globally, operating “from the Market to the Market”.