Uncork your excitement for UK Sommelier of the Year 2017

As proud sponsors, we’ll be there to see the thrills and spills (hopefully more of the former!) This year’s finalists sees a mix of seasoned professionals and industry newcomers. Both the 2016 and 2017 Young Sommelier of the Year, Romain Bourger of The Vineyard, Stockcross and Piotr Pietras of Launceston Place have a place. And the Fat Duck’s Julia Sewell is fresh from her most recent win at this year’s Ruinart Challenge.

They’re joined by Gareth Ferreira of 67 Pall Mall, who has already had a taste of success as a two-time ‘Best Sommelier of South Africa’. While Serdar Balkaya, Head Sommelier at the Royal AutoMobile Club previously headed up the wine teams at Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental and Hakkasan Group’s HKK.

The 12 finalists will be whittled down to six for the first stage of the final, before the judges pick the final three. They’ll compete for the chance to be mentored by the industry’s best and win an all expenses paid wine study visit.

The finalists will be judged by a panel of sommeliers and wine experts from around the world, including head judge, Gerard Basset, who was crowned ‘Best Sommelier in the World’ in 2010, and our very own brand ambassador, Ronan Sayburn, himself a past winner of UK Sommelier of the Year.

Ronan says: “As a former winner of UK Sommelier of the Year, I know just how good the finalists are to compete at this level. I can’t wait to see their skills on display, and I’m honoured to be on the judging panel with the industry greats.”

Some of the world’s best sommeliers have lifted the UK Sommelier of the Year trophy, and we expect great things from this year’s crop of finalists too. Good luck to all the competitors!

The UK Sommelier of the Year 2017 final is on Monday 17 July 2017 at the Savoy Hotel, London. To find out more, visit http://sommelieroftheyear.co.uk/