Announcing the Semi-Finalists for the Best Sommelier of South African in partnership with the Stellenbosch Wine Route!
The Quarter-Finals came down to fractions of a point, with the following candidates scoring over 90%, so we have decided to move forward with seven semi-finalists this year.
Laurie Cooper
SASA Treasurer
SASA Sommelier
WSET Level 4 Diploma
Stage 2 Master of Wine (MW) student
Distinction graduate Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy
Moët & Chandon Best Young Sommelier in SA 2019
Winemaker and Sommelier at Abingdon Wine Estate
Wikus Human
Court of Masters Certified Sommelier
Head Sommelier Marble and Saint Restaurant
Moët & Chandon Best Young Sommelier 2017
Tayla Skye Kirschner
SASA Junior Sommelier
WSET Level 3
Cape Wine Academy, certificate level
First runner up for the Moët & Chandon Best Young Sommelier in SA 2019
Represented SA in the Ubuntu Sommeliers trophy 2020
Works at, "A Bunch Of Buddies"
Lovejoy Neshamba
SASA Junior Sommelier
Cape Wine Academy, certificate level
Distell Inter Hotel Challenge - Wine Steward of the year 2019
Barman at Ellerman House
Stefan Reinmuth
SASA Junior Sommelier
WSET 3 Certified (WSET Diploma, in process)
Brand Ambassador at Oldenburg Vineyards
Host of 'Blackout: Stage Wine' on Instagram
Jean Vincent Ridon
ASI Sommelier Diploma
SASA Sommelier
Two-time finalist Best Sommelier in South Africa
Quarter-finalist Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa.
Author of "Passion for Pairing"
Working at Sommeliers Academy
Roxan Waldeck
SASA Sommelier
WSET Level 3
Best Sommelier Finalist 2016
Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy
Independent - Wine and hospitality facilitator
These sommeliers will join us at Blaauwklippen Vineyards on Wednesday the 15th of September for closed-door semi-finals, where they will be tested on theory, blind tasting, and food and wine pairing.
At 13h30, we will kick off the live-stream, main stage event hosted by the charismatic Guy MacDonald, where three finalists will be announced and compete in front of our esteemed panel of international and local judges.
JUDGES
Master of Wine Madeleine Stenwreth
Famed chef Harald Bresselschmidt
Reigning Best Sommelier in South Africa, Jo Wessels
SASA Chairman and ASI Diploma sommelier, Spencer Fondaumiere
Thanks to WineLand Media, this competition will be live-streamed worldwide across multiple platforms.
Tune into our Facebook Page or WineLand's YouTube for the live-action competition to see who will be named the Best Sommelier in South Africa.
Thank you for the continued support of our Sponsors
~ Zwiesel (Ambience Hospitality Brands)
