World Best Sommelier Campaign 2026

The Sommelier's Journey: Fundraising Evening 

Fundraising evening for:  World Best Sommelier Competition, Portugal, 2026

Association of Sommeliers International  11 – 17 October 2026. Lisbon, Portugal

Normanby Fine Wines is proud to announce that our Head Sommelier, Andrea Martinisi has been selected to represent the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine

Professionals at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 competition in Portugal.

We could not be more proud of Andrea and look forward to seeing him compete on the world stage this October.

To support his journey, Normanby Fine Wines will host a fundraising evening at Webb’s Gallery on Thursday 25 June.

Tickets are $55 per person and include a selection of wines from Normanby Fine Wines, alongside canapés prepared by students of the New Zealand School of Food and Wine.

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Guests will also have the opportunity to watch and experience some Andrea's skills as he demonstrates how to blind taste and evaluate a wine in 4 minutes and to decant a grand cru classé in front of us.

The evening begins at 6pm and will conclude with a special fundraising auction led by Webb’s auctioneer, Chris Wiseman.

A curated selection of lots will be auctioned in support of Andrea and the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals as they prepare for the international competition.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals.

For more information, please email info@sommelier.co.nz