ASI Gala Dinner, Monaco 2024

A fabulous dinner to mark 55 years of ASI, Empire Room, Hotel de Paris, Monte-Carlo

ASI General Assembly, Monaco 2024

ASI Association of Sommeliers General Assembly 2024 was hosted by the Monegasque Sommelier Association in Monte-Carlo.

ASI Magazine 13 Past and Future of Sommellerie

ASI Magazine (Feb 2024) celebrates 55 years since the formation of ASI.

Angela's Canadian Wine Night

Canadian wines are an often overlooked category on NZ wine lists, but the quality and diversity are worth taking a second look.

Andrea's CMS Challenge

Andrea Martinisi travelled to London to sit the Master Sommelier Exams

Join us for Christmas Cheer

Monday 4 December, 4-6pm We will taste the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association Annual Vintage Selection + Wines from Method Marlborough.

CMS Court of Master Sommeliers Certification, Auckland

After 3 hectic days, Master Sommeliers Franck Moreau and Cameron Douglas award certificates in Auckland.

Partner Pop-up at NZ Somm 2023

Many thanks to our partners for sharing a selection of their wines at NZ Somm 2023

At the Awards Dinner

NZ Sommelier Awards Dinner prepared by Des Harris and students from NZ School of Food & Wine.

Precision Pouring at NZ Sommelier of Year 2023

How to pour 9 glasses of Method Traditional in 4 minutes?

Blind Wine Tasting Competition 2023

The Blind Tasting Competition 2023 offered a fun opportunity to taste a challenging selection of classic wine styles.

New Zealand Sommelier of the Year Competition 2023

Take a look at how the day of the NZ Sommelier of the Year 2023 unfolded.

Angela Allan wins NZ Sommelier of the Year 2023

Originally from Canada, Angela has been living in New Zealand for over 10 years and building her skills over this time.

Travel Scholarships for NZ Sommelier of the Year 2023

There are 6x $350 travel scholarships provided by a grant from the Hospitality Training Trust.

CMS Training Workshop

Cameron Douglas MS and Andrea Martinisi discuss techniques for CMS Introductory and Certified Qualifications.

Our News: May 2023

Take a look at our May Newsletter

Association of Sommeliers Certification Exams 2023

Association of Sommeliers Certification Exams 2023

CMS Court of Master Sommeliers in Auckland

CMS Court of Master Sommeliers in Auckland, Sept 17 - 19 2023

NZ Sommeliers Wine Tasting Club

New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Wine Tasting Club is open to our members who are both professionals and wine enthusiasts.

Travel by Glass: Catalonia

What a great start to our new series: Travel by Glass. And we're off to Catalonia - Penedes & Priorat

Jeremy Ellis: Marlborough Pinot Noir Safari 2023

In February I was privileged to be invited to the annual Marlborough Pinot Noir Safari, an event held in one of our most important wine regions focused on grape that in most markets is often relegated to other regions of New Zealand

Volunteering at ASI World Best Sommelier Competition 2023

This was my first trip to Paris and what an experience and pleasure to meet so many storied, talented and dedicated people from all corners of the wine trade.

Te Mata Showcase Vintage 2021

Nick Buck, ‘Here we are presenting potentially our best every vintage of wines at one of the most horrific times for Hawkes Bay’.

NZ Sommelier ranked 8th in World

Over 5 days 68 champion sommeliers, from 65 countries, competed for the title of ASI World Best Sommelier 2023. Andrea Martinisi represented New Zealand for the second time and was placed 8th in the world.

Domaine Joseph Drouhin Visit

Founded in 1880, Maison Drouhin remains a high respected family-owned domaine and negociant house. Located in the heart of Beaune, their cellars covers 1 hectare of the town and are built on the foundations of the ancient Roman fort from the 4h Century.

Domaine Chanson Visit

Domaine Chanson, founded in 1750, remained within the extended family until it was purchased by Champagne Bollinger in 1999. We visited in February 2023.

Time in Bourgogne

Bourgogne or Burgundy has 84 appellations. These range from 33 Grand Cru appellations with individual parcels known as climats and are considered the finest examples of wines from Bourgogne. It is also interesting to observe how their vines are tended.

Domaine Faiveley Visit, Bourgogne

Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825. Seven generations later, it is run by Erwan Faiveley and his sister, Eve. Based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the business started as a negociant but over the decades has purchased key parcels of land in the Cote d’Or and further south in Cote Chalonnaise. With 127 hectares over 60 climat and appellations.

ASI Magazine: The Year in Review

ASI Magazine #6 Release: The Year in Review

2023 Vintec Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarships

The application deadline for the 2023 Vintec Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarships has been extended to Friday, January 6 2023 at 5 PM AEST.

New Zealand Sommelier Wine Tasting in Tokyo

A fun ending to an intense week, at ASI Best Sommelier Asia Oceania competitions, happily sharing some of our leading NZ wines, currently available in Japan, with our sommelier colleagues.

Baduzzi Fundraiser Lunch

Hosted by Michael Dearth of The Grove and Baduzzi and NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals, we joined to applaud the work of Andrea Martinisi, representing New Zealand and his goal to reach the pinnacle of Sommellerie in Paris 2023.

Andrea Martinisi placed 2nd in ASI Best Sommelier Asia-Oceania 2022

Andrea Martinisi was placed 2nd at the ASI Association of Sommeliers Asia-Oceania Competition 2022 in Tokyo with 24 candidates from 13 countries

Newsletter: November 2022

Don't miss out on the ASI Sommelier Certification Nov 21 & Path to Paris Funraiser Long lunch at Baduzzi.

Celia Hay awarded Sir George Fistonich Medal

Celia Hay awarded the Sir George Fistonich Medal 2022 in recognition of services to New Zealand Wine.

Newsletter: October 2022

We are so excited to share the stories of Suraj GC, Angela Allan and Jessica Wood from their ASI Sommelier Bootcamp experience in Malaysia.

Suraj GC at the ASI Malaysia Sommelier Bootcamp

Suraj GC's experience at the ASI Malaysia's Sommelier Bootcamp.

Angela Allan at the ASI Malaysia Sommelier Bootcamp

Angela Allan's experience at the ASI Malaysia's Sommelier Bootcamp.

Jessica Wood at the ASI Malaysia Sommelier Bootcamp

Jessica Wood's experience at the ASI Malaysia's Sommelier Bootcamp.

Newsletter: August 2022

Andrea Martinisi has won the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2022 and Hawke's Bay team wins National Wine Tasting Competition.

New Zealand Blind Tasting Competition 2022

Congratulations to the team from Hawke's Bay on winning the New Zealand Blind Tasting Competition.

New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2022

Congratulations to Andrea Martinisi awarded the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2022 (for a second time) and Kristen Tay who was awarded the Junior Sommelier of the Year.

Newsletter July 2022

On Sunday 31 July, we will host the Final of National Wine Tasting Competition along with the NZ Sommelier Competitions at NZ School of Food and Wine and we are looking forward to hosting two champion Australian Sommeliers at this event.

Newsletter: June 2022

Sign up Now for the National Wine Tasting competition - Christchurch: Tuesday 28 June, Auckland: Sunday 3 July, Wairarapa: Monday 4 July, Hawkes Bay: Tuesday 5 July.

New Zealand Sommeliers at ASI Bootcamp - Kuala Lumpur

We are delighted to recommend to ASI three Sommeliers to represent the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals at the ASI Association of Sommeliers International Boot Camp in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from September 11- 14, 2022.

ASI Tutorial: Sparkling Wine Service

The purpose of this task is to present, open and serve sparkling wine in a safe and professional manner.

ASI Tutorial: Wine Service

The purpose of this task is to present, open and serve still wine that does not require decanting

ASI Tutorial: Decanting

The purpose of this task is to ensure that the wine serve does not contain sediment.

Newsletter May 2022

Wearing my NZ Sommelier & Wine Professionals Association hat, we are delighted to announce that we have a series of regional wine tasting competitions

Vegetarian Wine Pairings

Angela Allan, General Manager and sommelier at CULPRIT Dining Room and Bar, provides insights on vegan and vegetarian food and wine pairings.

ASI Best Sommelier Asia Oceania

Association of Sommeliers International (ASI) Asia Oceania Best Sommelier Regional Competition 2022 in Tokyo

ASI Bootcamp - Kuala Lumpur

ASI bootcamp in Asia & Oceania is a intensive training camp for junior sommeliers to build and refine their skills and excite them about our hospitality world.

Newsletter April 2022

National Wine Tasting Competition is back for 2022, ASI Certification winners & more. Finally it feels that we are emerging from these turbulent covid times which have caused enormous stresses across our sectors of hospitality, events, tourism and wine.

ASI Tutorial: Blind tasting wines

Blind tasting wines. The purpose of this task is to analyze, evaluate and identify a wine to determine its quality through visual and sensory analysis using a full organoleptic description and how to utilize this wine within the context of the sommelier profession.

ASI Releases Tutorial Videos

Following the launch of the ASI Guidelines in 2021, the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) is happy to announce it has produced a video series to enhance their ground-breaking work.

Rethinking Wine Service

Ferran Centelles was the head sommelier for El Bulli, Spain, the internationally famous restaurant that closed in 2011.

ASI Certification 1

Congratulations to the 171 sommeliers who passed the ASI Certification 1 exam! Congratulations to the 6 successful candidates in New Zealand.

ASI Magazine

ASI Mag is a magazine dedicated to Sommellerie, wine, other beverages, and the diversity of the people that shape the industry around the world.

ASI Newsletter

Midterm communication of the ASI Board (2020-2023) & the ASI Magazine

Jim Mora RNZ interviews Celia Hay

Jim Mora of Radio New Zealand interviews Celia Hay about the NZ National Wine Tasting Competition and NZ Sommelier of the Year.

Wine Tasting Room

Some of the photos from our wine tasting room from Sunday, 1 August hosted in the Viaduct.

Precision Pouring at the Sommelier of the year awards

Precision pouring challenge for the NZ Sommelier of the year competition.

Team - Canterbury wins the National Wine Tasting Competition 2021

The National final of the Wine tasting competition around the country.

Andrea Martinisi - New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2021

Andrea Martinisi wins NZ Sommelier of the Year 2021

National Wine Tasting Competition - 2021

New Zealand Wine Tasting Competition around the country

Keith Stewart - Sommelier & Wine Professional

Keith Stewart - Sommelier & Wine Professional

NZ National Wine Tasting Competition

New Zealand National Wine Tasting Competition dates for 2021

ASI Zoom meets on non-traditional packaging

Tori Haysom joins an international ASI discussion on closures.

Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Sommelier Certificate 2021

The Court of Master Sommeliers offers four levels of accreditation for sommeliers and beverage professionals, beginning with the Introductory Sommelier Certificate course and examination

ASI Association Membership

NZ gains full membership of ASI

AGM 2020 & Dinner with Des

The Annual general meeting of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals association which was followed by a delicious dinner spread by Chef Des Harris.

Villa Maria Ngakirikiri 2014 Comparative Tasting

Villa Maria's Ngakirikiri: an icon in the making

Australia Wine Education

A valuable free link 'Australian Wine Discovered' developed by Wine Australia.

Central Otago Update

Central Otago offers so much for the food and wine enthusiast to taste and savour.

Tasting with Champagne Ambassadors - Epernay

The appellation of Champagne is the home to 16,000 growers with over 320 houses of Champagne. The Grandes Marques are those we know well, but there are many grower Champagne houses who offer exciting wines.

50 Anniversary Gala Dinner

ASI Association of Sommeliers celebrated its 50th Anniversary in Reims with a Gala Dinner at the Palais du Tau.

Dion Wai - NZ Sommelier of the Year 2019

Dion Wai, who won Sommelier of the Year 2016 as a 26 year old, has gone on to build his knowledge and skills by competing in 2018 in Hong Kong at the Castel Cup.

Wine Tasting: New Zealand & International Wines

Tori Haysom - NZ Wine Professional of the Year 2019

Tori works as a fine wine account manager for Dhall and Nash Wines and previously worked at Glengarry Wines. She holds the Wine and Spirit Level 3 and studied cookery and the Professional Wine Certificate at the New Zealand School of Food and Wine.

Nikki Weir - NZ Young Sommelier of the Year 2019

Nikki has been working in Auckland for some time and was runner-up in the competition in 2018. She shares tips and feedback about her experience.

Leadership in Wine #37 - Anna Krykunivsky

Anna is a British sommelier based in Queenstown. She was awarded Emerging Wine Service Professional of the Year at the Queenstown Hospitality Awards in 2019.

Lots of Photos for 2019 Competition

Take a look.

2019 NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Competition

A review of the 2019 competitions exams and tasks

2019 Winners Announced

Dion Wai wins New Zealand Sommelier of the Year for the second time. Nikki Weir wins New Zealand Young Wine Professional and Victoria Haysom wins New Zealand Young Wine Professional 2019.

AGM Agenda 2019

Please find below the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting - July 28 2019

Leadership in Wine #36 - Thomas Moschetta

Thomas is the new cellar door manager at Kinross based in Gibbston, Central Otago. He is a dynamic and talented young leader from France.

Leadership in Wine #35 - John Szabo MS

John Szabo was the first Canadian to add the “MS” after his name in 2004. John will lead two tastings on volcanic wines at the New Zealand School of Food & Wine’s annual W&F Celebration on 27-28 July 2019.

Leadership in Wine #34 - Stuart Dudley

Stuart is the regional viticulturist for Villa Maria based in Marlborough. He is a strong young leader committed to add value to the wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #33 - Andrea Martinisi

Andrea is the beverage director at The Grove and Baduzzi Restaurants in Auckland. He is considered to be one of the best sommeliers in New Zealand and one of the best in the world.

Volcanic Wine Tasting

Join John Szabo and taste wines from Volcanic Regions

Leadership in Wine #32 - Marek Przyborek

Marek is the Head Sommelier at Skycity Auckland and 2018 New Zealand Sommelier Of The Year.

Leadership in Wine #31 - Kevin Mapson

Kevin is the managing director of Pernod Ricard New Zealand. He has 20+ years of experience in the wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #30 - Yang Shen

Yang is an experienced estate director with a demonstrated history of working in the wine and spirits industry. He currently manages Cloudy Bay estate in Marlborough.

Leadership in Wine #29 - Stephen Wong MW

Stephen is a successful wine educator / consultant sommelier based in Wellington who is also a Master of Wine (MW). He owns and operates The Wine Sentience specialising in hospitality training, wine education, wine lists and tastings.

Leadership in Wine #28 - Andy Crozier

Andy is the sales manager for Burn Cottage vineyard based in Central Otago. He has 19 years of valuable experience in the wine industry in UK and in NZ.

Leadership in Wine #27 - Paul Tudgay

Paul is the commercial director of Rootstock Vinhos in Brazil. Born in England, he lived for 13 years in Queenstown where he was an active and famous contributor to the local wine industry as an educator, mentor and sommelier.

Leadership in Wine #26 - Rodolphe Frerejean Taittinger

Rodolphe is the co-founder and CEO of Champagne Frerejean Frères. He has 14 years of experience in the wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #25 - Grant Taylor

Grant is one of the best winemakers and sales people in New Zealand's wine industry. He owns and operates Valli Vineyard which has sites in both Central Otago and the Waitaki wine regions.

Leadership in Wine #24 - Janiene Bayliss

Janiene is a very successful leader who owns and operates Ata Mara Vineyard in Central Otago. She has 20 years of experience in the wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #23 - Ben Longhurst

Ben is the National On-Premise Brand Ambassador for EuroVintage. In 2016 and 2014 he was awarded Outstanding Sales Representative at the Lewisham Awards.

Leadership in Wine #22 - Joe Wang

Joe is the managing director and co-founder of The Wine Cave, a fine wine and spirits retail store based in Auckland. He is a certified Sommelier with 20+ years of experience in the wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #21 - Murray Cook

Murray is a talented, young winemaker who works for Dog Point Vineyard in Marlborough. He is a future leader of the New Zealand wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #20 - Pete Bartle

Pete has established himself as one of Central Otago’s most successful and respected winemakers with his no nonsense, passionate approach to winemaking.

Leadership in Wine #19 - Candice Chow

Candice is a successful Group Beverage Manager for the chain’s Rata, Madam Woo and Hawker & Roll restaurants (part of 'Go To Collection Ltd' group). She is based in Queenstown and has over 15 years of experience in Hospitality as a Sommelier.

Leadership in Wine #18 - Bob Campbell MW

Bob Campbell ONZM MW was the second New Zealander to hold the Master of Wine credential. He founded The Wine Gallery, an Auckland based wine school, in 1990 and is widely regarded as the New Zealand’s foremost wine educator.

Leadership in Wine #17 - Misha Wilkinson

Misha is one of the best ambassadors of New Zealand wines and with her husband Andy, she owns and operates Misha's VIneyard in Central Otago.

Leadership in Wine #16 - Therese Herzog

Therese is an iconic woman in the Wine industry of New Zealand. Her warm personality and deep knowledge about wine makes Therese a great mentor for many young wine professionals.

Leadership in Wine #15 - Erica Crawford

Erica is the founder and driving force behind 'Loveblock Wine'. Originally from South Africa, she is an industry legend and founder of one of New Zealand’s biggest export brands 'Kim Crawford Wine'.

Leadership in Wine #14 - Jing Song

Jing became the youngest woman – and first Chinese woman entrepreneur – to win the top award at the UK-based International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).

Leadership in Wine #13 - Paolo Basso

Paolo is a high achiever and a very talented Sommelier. He won Best Sommelier of Europe (2010) and Best Sommelier of the World (2013). He is currently a wine producer, wine merchant, wine consultant and wine critic. He has 30 years of experience in Hospitality.

Leadership in Wine #12 - Claudio Heye

Claudio is a well known character in Queenstown. He worked for 15 years at Gibbston Valley Wines first as sales manager and later as director of sales & export. Since 2011, Claudio has been the General Manager of Domaine Thomson Wines, a bio-dynamic estate based in Central Otago.

Leadership in Wine #11 - James Dicey

James Dicey is a successful viticulturist based in Central Otago. He owns and manages Grape Vision, a family business established by his father Robin Dicey in 1996. James was awarded Viticulturist Of the Year in 2018 by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine.

Leadership in Wine #10 - Tessa Bird-Ritchie

Tessa was the second winner of the New Zealand Young Wine Professional Of the Year competition in 2015. She currently works as a Regional Sales Manager for Delegat based in Auckland.

Leadership in Wine #9 - Dion Wai

Dion was the winner of the New Zealand Sommelier Of the Year 2016. He works currently as sommelier at Huka Lodge in Taupo. He has 10 years experience in hospitality.

Leadership in Wine #8 - Shane Livingstone

Shane is an accomplished and talented vineyard manager with a strong focus on establishing and growing organic and bio-dynamic certified vineyards in New Zealand. He has 27 years of experience in the wine industry.

Leadership in Wine #7 - Graeme Lord

Graeme is an outstanding business leader with 16 years of experience in the wine industry. From 2014-2018, he was managing director of Delegat Group.

Leadership in Wine #6 - Andy Gladding

Andy was the winner of the New Zealand Sommelier Of the Year 2014. He currently as a National Food Service and Distribution Manager at Sabato based in Auckland.

Leadership in Wine #5- Angie Atkinson

Angie is a high achiever who has 10 years in the wine industry, and 12 years in Hospitality as a owner of two restaurants and a café. In 2019 she was awarded Outstanding Sales Representative at the Lewisham Awards.

Leadership in Wine #4 - Richard King

Richard was the winner of the New Zealand Junior Sommelier Of the Year 2016. He currently as a sommelier for a new restaurant, Chef’s Table at Hotel Lebua in Bangkok, Thailand.

Leadership in Wine #3 - Clive Weston

Clive has more than 40 years of international wine trade experience, including almost 30 years at the helm of Negociants New Zealand.

Leadership in Wine #2 - Alexis Robin

Alexis was the first winner of the New Zealand Young Wine Professional Of the Year 2014. He currently as an account manager for Delegat and is based in Dunedin.

Leadership in Wine #1 - Annie Millton

Annie Millton, one of the iconic women in the NZ wine, shares her wisdom about Leadership in Wine.

ASI Finals

ASI Best Sommelier 2019 Marc Almert from Germany First Runner Up: Nina Hjgaard Jensen from Denmark Second Runner Up: Raimonds Tomsons from Latvia

Photos and Video of ASI Semi Finals

Take a look at the Semi Final Competition of ASI Best Sommelier 2019

Andrea Martinisi ranked 14th at ASI Best Somm 2019

Andrea Martinisi achieves 14th place at ASI Best Somm 2019

Semi Final Competition

19 candidates from a total of 66 were selected to compete in the semi final on Wednesday 13 March 2019

Getting to know Andrea Martinisi

Andrea Martinisi is the candidate representing New Zealand at ASI Best Sommelier 2019

Candice Chow at Sommit 2019

New Zealand Winegrowers Sommelier Scholarship is a global initiative.

Preparing for ASI in NZ and Antwerp

In the lead up to the ASI Competition, there has been a lot of study and practice sessions for Andrea Martinisi.

ASI Best Sommelier Competition 2019

Every three years ASI Association of Sommeliers International holds a global competition for the best sommeliers in the world. In 2019, this is being held in Antwerp, Belgium.

Family of Twelve Tasting 2019

A Family Yarn from the Family of Twelve turned into a celebration of unique and special stories that characterise how our New Zealand wine world is evolving.

Dion Wai competes in Castel Cup, Hong Kong

Here is Dion Wai's account of his experience at the Castel Young Sommelier Competition in Hong Kong and hosted by the Hong Kong Sommelier Association

Maciej Zimny and Sommeliers in Ningxia, China

In 2015, Maciej Zimny won the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year Competition. In 2018, Maciej was a member of the winning Ningxia One Belt One Road Wine Competition.

New Zealand Wine Professional Awards 2018

Marek Przyborek wins New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2018. Pictured here with Cameron Douglas MS.

New Committee for next two years

Please welcome our new committee for the next two years including 5 new members.

ASI Best Sommelier World Championship - March 2019

On Monday 10 December, Andrea Martinisi was selected to represent NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals at ASI Association of Sommeliers International World Championship in Belgium in March 2018.