The International Wine Education Centre (IWEC), Africa’s leading provider of the internationally recognised Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) wine courses is celebrating with eight students who have completed their WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines qualification this year. 

The WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines is the flagship qualification for WSET and is widely considered to be the entry requirement for the world’s toughest wine exams – the Master of Wine. This year’s graduates have studied modules covering viticulture and vinification, fortified wines, sparkling wines and still wines of the world, all with a strong business focus to better prepare graduates for leading roles within the wine industry.  Students must complete all exams and assignments before being awarded their Diploma with global pass rates being notoriously low. 

WSET top graduates
2026 Top WSET Diploma Graduates: Tsepho Mashile (Woolworths), De Waal Gerstner, Garrith Holloway, Tarryn Vincent (Riedel and Reciprocal Wines).

This year’s intake of Diploma graduates have done incredibly well with most of them passing every module first time – a distinct rarity in the world of WSET Diploma! I’m especially proud of De Waal Gerstner and Garrith Holloway, who excelled in every area to become our joint highest achievers this year.

— Cathy Marston DipWSET, owner of the IWEC

Graduates were welcomed into the Diploma Alumni family by Richard Kershaw DipWSET, Master of Wine, before awards and accolades were given out for individual unit successes. 

Cathy herself has also had a successful year, being named both WSET Outstanding Diploma Alumni 2026 as well as winning the WSET Awards of Excellence Social Impact Award for her work in improving access to wine education and increasing diversity and inclusion in the South African wine industry. In recognition of these awards she was presented with a magnum of Graham Beck Cuvée Clive by Andrew Shelly DipWSET, organizer of the African chapter of WSET Diploma Alumni.

WSET Andrew Shelly and Cathy Marston
Andrew Shelly DipWSET and Cathy Marston DipWSET, winner of WSET Outstanding Alumni of the Year and Excellence in Education Social Impact Award.

 

This year’s batch of graduates include marketing managers, sommeliers, restaurateurs and winemakers all of whom will be taking their newfound knowledge and expertise with them into their future careers. The confidence gained from this substantial achievement makes a Diploma graduate feel at home with industry leaders and experts wherever they are around the world, helping them forge links and make connections and ultimately promoting the cause of South Africa and South African wines. 

The 2026 WSET Diploma Graduation Ceremony is presented by WCellar. Prizes and wines for the graduation ceremony were donated by Brice & Burnett, Great Domaines, LAPD, Premier Cru Wines, Radford Dale, Riedel and Reciprocal Wine Company.

The WSET Diploma 2026 intake is as follows:

Full list of 2026 WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines Graduates via the IWEC

  • Charlene Waite
  • De Waal Gerstner
  • Garrith Holloway
  • Jack Davis
  • Joshua Van Blommestein
  • Lotta Gabrielides
  • Morné Els
  • Tendai Vincent Matsieng