Sommeliers Australia, Melbourne (2026)

26/08/2026

We’re pleased to announce Rhiannon LaHatte as the successful sommelier selected to represent Sommeliers Australia as Associate Judge at the 2026 Victorian Wine Show.

The opportunity follows our Wine Judging 101 initiative, held by Sommeliers Australia in partnership with the Victorian Wine Show to introduce and guide sommeliers into the world of wine judging.

Hosted by Joshua Cooper Wines and Meg Brodtmann MW the session gave sommeliers the opportunity to taste two brackets of wine — 2024 Chardonnay and 2024 Shiraz — while gaining practical insight into the Australian wine show judging system. Josh and Meg shared valuable tips and guidance on the judging process, helping participants build confidence and a deeper understanding of wine show judging.

Here is what Rhiannon had to say—

“The session with Meg and Josh was invaluable. Having wanted to take the step into judging for a while, this opportunity landed in such an accessible way, a room full of my industry and Sommeliers Australia peers, where you could learn about judging at VWS, pick their brains, and practice the format of wine judging. What more could you want for an introduction! I learned so much in such a short session and have a deeper appreciation for wine shows and their contribution to the Australian wine industry.”

We’re delighted to support Rhiannon as she takes this next step and look forward to seeing her represent Sommeliers Australia at the 2026 Victorian Wine Show.

24/08/2026

Notice of our upcoming 2026 AGM!

Monday 14 September, 12.30pm AEST

Join us as we reflect on a incredible year and help shape the future of our organisation.

All members warmly invited.

20/08/2026

WHAT’S YOUR NEXT MOVE?

New venue? Different role? A bigger role perhaps? What about a compete change of pace? There are plenty of opportunities currently waiting on the Sommeliers Australia Jobs Board.

NSW
Head Sommelier — Shell House Shell House Sydney
Front of House — Claret Club Claret Club
Assistant Restaurant Manager — Saint Peter Saint Peter
Fine Wine Client Manager — Constellation Brands Constellation Brands
Sommelier — Bar Bruno Bar Bruno
Sommelier — Hunter St. Hospitality Hunter Street Hospitality
Territory Manager — City & Inner Suburbs | Imported Wine Specialist Young & Rashleigh

VIC
Sommelier — CIRCL CIRCL | Melbourne
Director of Wine — Yabby Lake Cellar Door Yabby Lake
Group Sommelier — edition Hospitality edition Hospitality

Whether you're looking to step up, switch things up or take your wine career in a new direction, there could be something here for you.

Explore the roles and find out more via the Sommeliers Australia Jobs Board.

And if you’re hiring, get in touch — we’d love to help connect great people with great opportunities. Email [email protected]

18/08/2026

Sommeliers Australia is teaming up with Loire Wines Vins de Loire to explore Melon Blanc, the grape behind the Loire Valley’s celebrated Muscadet appellations.

Hosted by Anja Lewis (Anja Lewis 🥂🍷Wine Education | Presenter | Consultant), this masterclass will explore how place, soil and winemaking shape Melon Blanc’s distinctive character—from the granite and schist soils of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine to the influence of extended sur lie ageing, where texture, complexity and that signature saline finish come to the fore.

Through a guided tasting, we’ll explore the breadth of expression within the appellation, from bright, mineral-driven wines to richer and more complex examples.

Designed for sommeliers, wine buyers and hospitality professionals, this is an opportunity to deepen your regional knowledge, sharpen your palate and take a closer look at one of the Loire’s most distinctive varieties.

📍 Fleur
🎟️ Follow the link in our bio and head to Events Page

18/08/2026

Togetherness: A Night for the Industry

The industry has always been built on connection — sharing a table, opening a bottle and making time for one another.

On Tuesday 8 September, Sarah Andrew DipWSET (Honours) and our friends at The Kelvin Club invite fellow sommeliers, winemakers, industry peers and fellow wine lovers for an informal evening of good food, great drinks and even better company.

The idea is simple: bring a favourite Australian beverage to share — wine, sake or a spirit. Something new, something aged, something you’ve discovered recently or something you’ve been saving for the right occasion. No rules, just something you love.

With the industry facing a challenging time, Togetherness is an opportunity to step away from the pressures, reconnect and create a little positivity around the table.

📅 Tuesday 8 September 2026
📍 The Kelvin Club
🕕 6pm onwards — drinks downstairs at bar prices
🍷 6:30pm — bottles opened upstairs
🍽️ 7pm — dinner
💰 $75 — two courses, including BYO

Come for dinner. Bring something you love. Stay for the conversation. Because now, more than ever, staying connected matters.

Head to our website's events calendar to secure a place.

16/08/2026

APPLICATIONS CLOSE THIS FRIDAY — 21 AUGUST!

What could 2-weeks in Aotearoa do for your perspective on New Zealand wine?

Here are a few reflections from our 2025 scholars Cyndal Petty Wine and Liinaa Berry.

“I would have to say that my favourite experience was the 2025 Sommit. Led by local heavyweights Steven Wong MW and Cameron Douglas MS - it was high-impact learning at its best. I shamelessly found myself disappointed that I didn't get another week with them, to ask their opinion on... well, everything Aotearoa”—Cyndal Petty

“I'm still buzzing from New Zealand. The goosebumps haven't settled. I expected great wines, sure - but what floored me wasn't just what was in the glass. It was what was happening before that. In the vineyards. In the soil. In the minds of a new generation of vignerons flipping the script on New Zealand wine.” — Liinaa Berry

The 2027 NZ Winegrowers Sommelier Scholarship & Sommit™ offers two Australian sommeliers the opportunity to experience New Zealand wine from the inside out — including the Sommit™ in Waitaki Valley, alongside regional experiences and opportunities to explore the diversity, innovation and future of Aotearoa’s wine industry.

Hosted by Cameron Douglas MS Cameron J Douglas and Stephen Wong MW Stephen Wong, Sommit™ is high-impact learning at its best — bringing together sommeliers to taste, question, debate and deepen their understanding of New Zealand wine.

Two scholarships. One extraordinary opportunity.

Applications close this Friday 21 August 2026.

Apply via our website.

14/08/2026

Our Sip Recap — Australian Wine in the Spotlight 🍷

Our Tasmanian Committee are sharing four wines that capture the character of their island — from elegant traditional-method fizz to cool-climate Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon with serious finesse.

Ben Dev (Cru Wines)
Henskens Rankin NV Blanc de Noirs Henskens Rankin Wines
Wild fermented and bursting with red berries, rose petals and raspberry friand. Complex, powerful and distinctly Tasmanian.

Jeffrey Thaow (teddys.hobart)
Future Perfect ‘Cradoc’ Pinot Noir Future Perfect Wine
Fruit from Panorama Vineyard in the Huon Valley. Described eloquently as “something special from Tom.”

Mia McIntyre (Mezzanine red+white)
2025 Chatto Franklinii Pinot Noir Jim Chatto
Darker berries, brooding spice and a long, silky finish — a compelling snapshot of the Huon Valley.

Ethan Han dipWSET (Black Cow Bistro)
2023 Bubb + Pooley WKR Cabernet Sauvignon Justin Bubb Anna Pooley
Perfumed and medium-bodied, with pure black fruits, bright Tasmanian acidity and an elegant, fine-boned structure. “A Cabernet for Pinot drinkers.” And, naturally, made for Tasmanian beef.

A taste of place through four different palates — one very compelling case for exploring Tasmanian wine.

14/08/2026

Our Sip Recap — Australian Wine in the Spotlight

Our Tasmanian Committee are here to share four wines that capture the character of their island — from elegant traditional-method fizz to cool-climate Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ben Dev (Cru Wines)
Henskens Rankin NV Blanc de Noirs Henskens Rankin Wines
Wild fermented and bursting with red berries, rose petals and raspberry friand. Complex, powerful and distinctly Tasmania.

Jeffrey Thaow (teddys.hobart)
Future Perfect ‘Cradoc’ Pinot Noir Future Perfect Wine
Fruit from Panorama Vineyard in the Huon Valley. Described eloquently as “Something special from Tom.”

Mia McIntyre (Mezzanine, red+white)
2025 Chatto Franklinii Pinot Noir Jim Chatto
Darker berries, brooding spice and a long, silky finish — a compelling snapshot of the Huon Valley.

Ethan Han dipWSET (Black Cow Bistro)
2023 Bubb + Pooley WKR Cabernet Sauvignon Justin Bubb Anna Pooley
Perfumed and medium-bodied, with pure black fruits, bright Tasmanian acidity and an elegant, fine-boned structure. “A Cabernet for Pinot drinkers.” And, naturally, made for Tasmanian beef.

A taste of place through four different palates — one very compelling case for exploring Tasmanian wine.

13/08/2026

In partnership with Penfolds, Sommeliers Australia invites you to attend the National Benchmarking Workshop—an immersive tasting experience dedicated to wine at its highest level, explored through the lens of one of the world’s most captivating black grape varieties, Pinot Noir, renowned for its elegance, structure, and extraordinary expression of place.

This exclusive workshop is designed for driven wine professionals looking to elevate their craft. Combining key elements from the Len Evans Tutorial and the Sommeliers Australia Education Scholarship, it moves beyond theory into sensory evaluation and focused, palate-driven learning.

Expect a rigorous blind tasting of 12 of the world’s greatest Pinots, animated discussion, and expert guidance—all aimed at challenging your perspective and benchmarking your tasting skills against the highest standards.

Think of it as a masterclass that goes further. The National Benchmarking Workshop is led by some of the most respected voices in Australian wine: Louella Mathews Louella Alice Mathews (Trippas White Group and 2023 LET Scholar), Eduardo Fritis‑Lamora Eduardo Fritis-Lamora (Shell House Sydney and 2025 Sommeliers Australia Education Scholar), and Nadja Wallington ChaLou | Orange Winery + Cellar Door (ChaLou Wines, 2022 LET Scholar and 2022 Young Winemaker of the Year).

More than education, this is about confidence, curiosity, and community. Whether you’re refining your palate, deepening your judgement, or stepping into the next chapter of your career, this is a rare opportunity to invest in yourself—supported by a network that believes in the power of tasting, mentorship, and excellence.

To ensure the Sydney wine community is supported through this exclusive experience, places are limited.

🗓️ Wednesday 16 September

⏰ 10:00am - 1:00pm

📍 Infinity at Sydney Tower

🎟️ Via our website

12/08/2026

What does Rioja look like when we move beyond the familiar framework of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva? Come find out!

Join Helena Edgerton Helena E, Educator for the Rioja Wine Academy, and Matthew Prokop Matt Prokop (Sommelier, Claret Club) for an exploration of the many faces of contemporary Rioja.

Discover a region whose beautiful landscape and its wines can express subtleties of place. Wines where village, grape variety, old vines and winemaking philosophy are increasingly taking centre stage. From vibrant whites and lesser-known varieties to unique single-vineyard wines, producers are embracing a more site-driven approach and moving away from the confines of the traditional ageing classifications. This tasting offers a broader perspective on what the Rioja region offers nowadays.

Expect a carefully curated selection of wines that move beyond the classic Riojas, showcasing the diversity, precision and modern spirit of Rioja.

Held at Darlinghurst's darling Claret Club this tasting will be accompanied by a selection of charcuterie and cheese.

Come curious. Leave with a new perspective on one of Spain’s great wine regions.

Sommeliers Australia

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