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Wine Travel Awards extends its congratulations to this year’s awards judge on his distinguished new appointment! Christian Zechmeister will lead one of Europe’s most prestigious wine education institutions.
After more than three decades at the helm of the Weinakademie Österreich (Austrian Wine Academy), Josef “Pepi” Schuller MW will step down at the end of 2026, passing leadership to Christian Zechmeister. Zechmeister currently serves as Managing Director of Wein Burgenland, the Regional Wine Committee of Burgenland, and as Authorized Signatory of Weintourismus Burgenland GmbH. In addition to his forthcoming leadership role, Christian Zechmeister this year joined the honorary judging panel of the Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026.
The Austrian Wine Academy operates as a 50% subsidiary of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Austrian Wine). Since its establishment in 1991, Europe’s largest wine school has welcomed over half a million participants from across the globe – from enthusiastic beginners to Masters of Wine.
“Austrian Wine Academy stands as proof of Austria’s pioneering role in wine education. From the very beginning, Pepi Schuller has ensured a strong international presence, enabling students to gain a firm grounding in both Austrian and global wine styles. I would like to express my sincere thanks for his outstanding contribution. Schuller leaves an impressive legacy, and I am confident that Christian Zechmeister will continue this success. I look forward to working closely with him,” says Chris Yorke, CEO of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Austrian Wine) and Chairman of the Wine Academy’s Board.
Founded in 1991 as a subsidiary of Austrian Wine, the Austrian Wine Academy was created to deliver professional wine education for the hospitality sector, retail, consumers and winegrowers.
Josef Schuller, Austria’s first Master of Wine, has led the Academy since its inception. Under his direction, it evolved into the country’s national wine school, with a strong emphasis on Austrian wines and a programme of seminars held nationwide. Drawing on his own international experience, Schuller embedded a global perspective from the outset – both in the curriculum and through partnerships with leading institutions such as the Institute of Masters of Wine, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Geisenheim University in Germany and Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Wädenswil.
“I am proud that the new Managing Director is a Wine Academy graduate who already understands the spirit of the institution,” Schuller notes. “I look forward to remaining on the Board of Directors and supporting Christian in his new role.”
Following Schuller’s announcement that he would retire at the end of 2026, an international search was launched to identify his successor. Among a large pool of strong candidates, Burgenland native Christian Zechmeister emerged as the leading choice. His recent roles include Managing Director of Wein Burgenland, the Regional Wine Committee of Burgenland, and Authorized Signatory of Weintourismus Burgenland GmbH.
A transition period with Schuller will begin in August, with Zechmeister assuming full responsibility for the Academy in January 2027. A graduate and lecturer of the Wine Academy, he is already deeply familiar with its structure and ethos.
According to Zechmeister, “The Austrian Wine Academy has become one of the world’s most recognised wine institutions under the leadership of Josef Schuller. I am delighted by the professional challenge ahead, while fully aware of the responsibility it carries. The aim will be to maintain the successful Weinakademiker programme while developing new offerings that reflect current market needs. I am confident that, together with my future team and in cooperation with the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, we will achieve this. For me, it feels like returning to my roots – after all, the Austrian Wine Academy is where my career began.”
The Austrian Wine Academy is a 50% subsidiary of Austrian Wine. Its seminar programme spans introductory courses through to advanced training for wine professionals. To date, more than 1,300 students from 58 countries have earned the internationally recognised Weinakademiker diploma – a qualification that forms the foundation for the Master of Wine (MW), the world’s most prestigious wine title. Twelve Wine Academy graduates have so far achieved the MW. Since 2004, the Academy has also hosted courses from the Institute of Masters of Wine, contributing to the training of well over 100 Masters of Wine.
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08.04.2026
