New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2024

With 14 sommeliers competing including three guest international sommeliers, it was a long and busy day for the contestants and the judges. 

How the day unfolded...

Together, Celia Hay and Andrea Martinisi designed and prepared the various assessments. On the day other committee members Cashias Gumbo, Angela Allan, Oliver Hay as well as Cameron Douglas MS and Larissa Muller, Franck Laruelle and students from New Zealand School of Food and Wine helped in varying capacities.

Andrea Martinisi counts the settings for the blind wine tasting of 3 wines and 1 spirit.

The candidates commence the Blind Tasting tasks - 3 wines + 1 spirit in 20 minutes.

The blind tasting wines: Kumeu River Hunting Hill 2018, McArthur Ridge, Alexandra Pinot Noir 2020, Les Clos des Cazaux Vacqueras 2021 from the Rhone Valley.

Spirits wine tasting of Pisco, Appletons rum and Dolin Vermouth tasted in a black glass.

Guest sommeliers

Sommelier Takaki Yasuoka, representing Japan Sommelier Association decants Te Mata Awatea 2022 for Cameron Douglas MS and NZ Sommelier of the Year 2023, Angela Allan.

Italian-Australian sommelier, Paulo Saccone representing Sommeliers Australia decants the Te Mata Awatea 2022 for the judges.

Sommelier Daiki Suzuki from Japan Sommelier Association decants Te Mata Awatea 2022 for the judges.

Craig Beattie who works at Hello Beastie presents for the judges.

Katharina Ziehe, who works at Josh Emmet's Onslow presented for the judges.

Blind Tasting Competition

Winners included our four friends from Hawkes Bay (2nd) piped on the last questions by Derrek Liu's Friends and the NZSFW Professional Wine students coming in a close third.

Awards Dinner

The Awards Dinner was prepared by the cookery students and Chef Finn Gybel of the New Zealand School of Food and Wine and served Franck Laruelle and the Hospitality and professional wine students.

 

New Zealand Sommelier and Junior Sommelier of the Year 2024.

L-R Cameron Douglas MS, Andrea Tremaud (Junior), Andrea Martinisi, Suraj GC, Celia Hay

Joao Marreiros was placed 2^nd in the New Zealand Sommelier of Year

Members of NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Committee congratulate Suraj GC.

L-R: Angela Allan, Oliver Hay, Karen Fistonich, Suraj GC, Cashias Gumbo, Andrea Martinisi, Celia Hay

Hayato Usuda of the Hilton Hotel, decants for the judges while others observe in the distance.

Well done everyone.

Celia Hay

4/8/2024