New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals

New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals The New Zealand Sommelier and Wine Professionals Association aims to create a community of people working with wine and other beverages around New Zealand.

The New Zealand Sommelier and Wine Professionals Association (NZSWP) . Our goal is to create a not for profit organisation to build a community of people from around New Zealand working with wine, beverages, in wine and beverage marketing within the sectors of hospitality, wine, wine tourism, wine education. In 2020, our association achieved full membership of Association of Sommeliers International.

04/08/2026

Blind Wine Tasting Competition 2026
Our 7 groups of enthusiastic blind wine tasters evaluated 8 wines – 5 questions per wine - with high-level analysis, discussion and humour…
 
Here are the wines:
Llama Torrontés Cafayate Valley, Salta, Argentina
Chablis, Doland Lavantureux, vaux carres 2023
Raats Old vine Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Abel Moutere Chardonnay 2023, Upper Moutere, Nelson, hand harvest, wild ferment
 
 
Moko Hills Pinot Noir, Bendigo 2023
Grant Burge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Chateau Fourcas Hosten, Listrac-Medoc 2017; 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot
Domaine de Beaurenard, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022, Demeter
13 historic grape varieties of Châteauneuf-du-Pape grown on terroirs of limestone, large pebbles, sandstone, and clay.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Terret noir, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Picardan
The winning team of new friends
1st The Furmints
Sommelier awards candidates:
·      Balazs Bozsolik
·      Hugo    Adenot
·      Hailie   Robinson
·      Other NZ Somm member Weier Ha
2nd Derrick Liu and friends (previous winners)
3rd Sip Happens: Helen and the Wine Searchers: Felipe, Patrick (previous winners)

02/08/2026

Congratulation to Marek Przyborek, winner of the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2026 and Hugo Adenot, winner of the New Zealand Junior Sommelier of the Year 2026

In a full day with a series of intensive tasks, the competition unfolded:
1. Blind tasting: 1 white, 2 red + 1: Millton Chenin Blanc, Man o War Dreadnaught Syrah, Beaujolais + RDT to keep them on their game
2. Written theory exam
3. Service Practical - service and optional decanting of Vinoptima Gewürztraminer 2011, a library wine perfect to pair with a tasting menu from Hello Beasty
4. Blind spirits tasting with a cocktail questions

—
NZ Sommeliers AGM
—
Blind Tasting Competition with 7 teams

Three finalists were selected based on the scores achieved to compete the final tasks in front of the audience:
1. Faults in a winelist
2. Famous Faces- identify the movers and shakers - 12 slides
3. Precision Pouring with Villa Maria Reserve Methode Traditionnelle NV

The Junior Somms their own assessments.
1. Blind tasting: 1 white, 1 red: Millton Chenin Blanc, Man o War Dreadnaught Syrah
2. Written theory exam
3. Service Practical

New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2026
1st Marek Przyborek
2nd Joao Marreiros
3rd Miguel Borges

New Zealand Junior Sommelier 2026
1st Hugo Adenot
2nd Hailie Robinson
3rd Joey Jackson

18/07/2026

We asked Suraj GC why did you join the New Zealand Sommeliers & Wine Professionals?

His answer stayed with us.

Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2024 and 2025. Hotel Sommelier at Park Hyatt Auckland. Representing New Zealand at the inaugural Asia Pacific Bootcamp in 2024 and at Asia Pacific Best Sommelier 2025.

On paper, a career that speaks for itself.

But Suraj also told us that before he joined the Association, he was tasting wine in a couple of bars in Auckland with no structure and no clear way forward.

He said that without ASI and this Association, he would not be where he is today.

The opportunities to grow. The international stage. The world-class mentors who have now become friends.

That is what membership can open up.

If you work with wine in New Zealand and you are ready for a bigger ladder to climb, this is your invitation.

Best Sommelier of New Zealand or Junior Sommelier (under 26 years) entries are open, with the competition on the 2nd of August. There is a travel scholarship for people outside of Auckland.
Look here
https://www.sommelier.co.nz/events

07/07/2026

What are the two champions talking about?

NZ candidate for ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 + Past Winner NZ Best Sommelier, Andreas Martinisi and Suraj GC, NZ Best Sommelier 2024 & 2025 .

Of course they are talking about the upcoming NZ Best Sommelier & Junior Sommelier 2026,championship!

Free travel scholarship available for people outside Auckland!.

Test your skills and shine
Sunday 2 August

Sign up here:
Junior Somm - Under 26
https://www.sommelier.co.nz/event/new-zealand-sommelier-of-the-year-awards-2026-junior

NZ Somm of Year
https://www.sommelier.co.nz/event/new-zealand-sommelier-of-the-year-awards-2026


03/07/2026

The NZ Sommelier of the Year and Junior Sommelier will run on Sunday, 2nd August in Auckland.

Congratulations to Andrea Martinisi⁩ who will be our candidate for the ASI Best Sommelier 2026 in Portugal. Yesterday w...
10/03/2026

Congratulations to Andrea Martinisi⁩ who will be our candidate for the ASI Best Sommelier 2026 in Portugal.

Yesterday we held a runoff to select our competitor.

Marek⁩ Przyborek joined us from Wellington for the challenge.

There was a 100 question theory test, blind tasting and spirits tasting and service practical.

Many thanks to Cameron Douglas⁩ and Cashias Gumbo⁩ for being part of our judging panel.

Congratulations Andrea!

Happy new year 2026!Year of the Fire Horse 🔥🐎 May I raise a virtual toast to you all - wine friends unite -Mine was keep...
06/01/2026

Happy new year 2026!
Year of the Fire Horse 🔥🐎
May I raise a virtual toast to you all - wine friends unite -
Mine was keeping in tradition,Taittinger Prelude 🥂🍾
Wishing your glass to always be full!

Shakira Kippex

Address

104 Customs Street West
Auckland
1010

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