The South Island has its first Master of Wine.

Owner of Blenheim's Blank Canvas Wines Sophie Parker Thomson has just become one of only 417 in the world with the elite qualification.

It's regarded as one of the highest standards of professional knowledge.

She told Mike Hosking her skill sets are both art and science.

Parker Thomson says you can't have one without the other, a core principle of the wine company she runs with her husband.

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