Fongyee Walker #184
The first Master of Wine (MW) in mainland China
As the first Master of Wine (MW) in mainland China, achieved in 2016, Fongyee Walker made a significant impact on the wine community.
She founded Dragon Phoenix to focus on wine education and consulting, influencing both industry professionals and amateur wine lovers in China. With her expert guidance, she continues to bridge the gap between traditional Chinese culinary practices and the emerging wine culture in China.
Wine education in China
With an impressive track record of teaching over 100,000 students, Fongyee continues to elevate the quality of wine education in China, helping new generations of wine drinkers appreciate wine not just for its prestige, but for its true complexity and flavor. Through her work, she has transformed China’s wine culture, steering it toward a more taste-driven approach rather than a status-based one, and continues to play a leading role in shaping the future of the industry.
Εducational programs
Throughout her career, Fongyee has been dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of wine through education. She teaches at all levels of the WSET, for professionals and amateur wine enthusiasts alike, fostering a deep appreciation for the intricate connections between wine and food. Fongyee’s students consistently appreciate her ability to blend rigorous education with the practical joys of wine tasting and pairing.
She has led numerous wine education programs through her consultancy, particularly focusing on the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust), with both industry professionals and amateur wine enthusiasts attending.
Fongyee has taught over 100,000 students in person worldwide, besides the audience she has reached through her online courses and tv shows.
Each year, she conducts at least 200 classes, including WSET and FWS courses (China and abroad), masterclasses, and wine seminars, and specialized wine classes for renowned institutions and wineries in various regions.
Fongyee has also taught at Wynn Macau, Mariott Hotels, Tsinghua Univeristy, Cambridge University and many other client events.
A selected list of awards
- 2020, Wine & Spirits Education Section EDUCATION OF THE YEAR
- 2018, “Riesling Fellow” from The German Wine Institute
- 2018, VDP.AMBASSADORS ASIA By VDP: DIE PRÄDIKATSWEINGÜTER
- 2016, Master of Wine
- 2016, THE ERRAZURIZ AWARD for the Outstanding Paper on THE BUSINESS OF WINE in the Master of Wine Examination
- 2014, International Judge Limestone Coast Wine Show Australia
- 2013, “Wine Culture Promotion Ambassador Award” from Wine in China Top 100 Wines
- Fongyee Walker is a Master of Wine (MW), a prestigious qualification from the Institute of Masters of Wine.
- She is a WSET Certified Wine Educator.
Reviews
As a Chinese winemaker, I am thrilled to have passed the WSET Diploma exam through Ms. Fongyee’s course. Her lectures were incredibly engaging, making it easy to immerse myself and stay focused. The course not only deepened my understanding of the world’s wine regions and styles in a logical, comprehensive, and nuanced way, but it also sparked a wealth of inspiration for both winemaking and brand building. Through this program, I gained the ability to design products from a broader perspective, taking into account global wine trends. More importantly, I learned that there is no one perfect wine region in the world—winemakers must find the right style for their unique circumstances. Before taking Fongyee’s classes, I focused primarily on well-known wine regions. However, this diploma course has broadened my focus to include all facets of the wine world and its broader industry structure, allowing me to approach my brand planning from a more multi-dimensional perspective.
I first met Fongyee as a wine enthusiast and a recent WSET Level 3 graduate through her firm, Dragon Phoenix, in early 2019. Coming from a finance background, I sought a structured way to explore the world of wine. Fongyee and her talented team provided exactly what I was looking for, and I was fortunate to enroll in the two-year Level 4 Diploma program under their guidance. As a Master of Wine with extensive global experience, Fongyee possesses deep expertise in major wine regions, including Bordeaux, Barossa Valley, and Mosel. Her understanding of these regions—spanning culture, viticulture, and winemaking philosophy—was especially evident throughout the expansive diploma curriculum. Over the two years of study, I benefited immensely from Fongyee’s unique teaching approach, which seamlessly blended theory, critical thinking, and practical training. Her method suited me perfectly, given my analytical work background and keen interest in wine. More than just imparting knowledge, she encouraged us to explore the reasoning behind vineyard and winemaking decisions—considering factors like climate, grape varieties, desired styles, and market dynamics. This approach pushed me beyond textbook learning, fostering a holistic understanding of wine and equipping me with a strong foundation for lifelong learning in wine.