Yordanos Gebru

Yordanos Gebru is a Masters student in Vineyard and Winery Management at Bordeaux Sciences Agro, France. She was born and raised in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Bahir Dar University. Her journey in wine began in 2008 when she began making homemade wine for family and friends from grapes, mangoes, and other locally grown fruits. It started as a hobby, but grew into a successful micro-winery and a deep passion for wine. She was the winner of Ethiopia’s National Business Plan Competition in 2009, and was nominated as the Ethiopian Representative for the US State Department’s African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program in 2011. After relocating to North America in 2012, she continued her journey in wine with vineyard and cellar internships in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada and Sonoma, California. Her long term goal is to be a winemaker in California wine country, while continuing to advise her family’s micro-winery and other aspiring winemakers in Ethiopia.

“I’m extremely grateful for winning the Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship. It arrived at the perfect time. Winning the scholarship has provided me with financial stability and a burst of motivation. If you have a vision and work hard, no matter where you come from, your dream is achievable!”