And I only applied because I thought I’d be on TV with Alan Sugar…

I was a City lawyer so the Liberty Apprenticeship wasn’t the obvious next step. But, I had been looking for a job in the wine industry. I wanted to immerse myself in the world of wine without foregoing the business environment. The apprenticeship has been all this and more.

The programme is so varied that you really feel like you´re learning the nuts and bolts of the trade. Since I became one of the two apprentices, there has rarely been a dull moment. I have moved from department to department every couple of months. One month I was sitting at a desk organising customer events and supplier visits, the next I was on the other side of the world digging grape skins out of a tank.

Liberty has a terrific team who made me feel involved from day one, whether it was helping out with a tasting, doing stock take, organising events or trying to develop new sales markets. There were occasions when I was well outside my comfort zone. Having been a lawyer used to sitting behind a desk, I’d been nervous about my time in Sales. But I got a lot of support and encouragement, and I absolutely loved it.

For me, the highlight was definitely working the two vintages, in Italy with Michelle last autumn and in New Zealand this April. It’s an intense, boot-camp like experience where I met people who will be friends for life. Liberty works with some of the stars of winemaking. You learn so much more than you ever could from a book.

Doing the WSET Diploma at the same time has been demanding but it’s really added to my experience. What you learn on the diploma complements working in the trade, particularly with the exposure to so many fabulous Liberty wines!

Michelle: A giant leap in the right direction