New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals are inviting two Sommeliers Australia Professional Members to join the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year Awards 2025 from Saturday 26 July – Wednesday 30 July 2025 to participate in the competition and learn more about New Zealand Wines.
Participants will arrive in Auckland on Saturday 26 to compete in the New Zealand Sommelier of the Year Competition on Sunday 27 July at 9am followed by the awards dinner during the evening.
This year the focus is on the Auckland Wine region and on Monday 28 July, there will be an organised visit to leading New Zealand Winery, Kumeu River for a tasting and winery tour with Michael Brajkovich MW. In the afternoon, there will be a masterclass with Robert Bower of Taylors Port.
On Tuesday 29 July, the group will travel via ferry to Waiheke Island to visit a collection of wineries and return by 5pm. Sommeliers can opt to head to the airport or fly back on Wednesday 30 July.
Full schedule and more details can be found here.
NZ Sommeliers will cover the costs of:
- 4 nights accommodation in Auckland’s Viaduct
- Dinner Saturday and Sunday night.
- Tours to Kumeu River, Waiheke Island and Taylors Port Master Class.
The selected Australian participants will cover the costs of:
- Return flights to New Zealand
- Transfers to Auckland’s Viaduct
- Breakfasts and dinners on Monday and Tuesday night
Eligibility requirements:
- Must hold a current Professional membership with Sommeliers Australia at the time of application and throughout the duration of the summit.
- Must be actively working in the hospitality industry as a sommelier.
- Must submit a current CV, highlighting their relevant wine and service experience.
- Must complete a short questionnaire.
- Must have completed at least WSET Level 3, CMS Certified or equivalent industry experience.
- Must be available from Saturday 26 July to Wednesday 30 July.
- Must sign a Sommeliers Australia Code of Conduct.
- Must host a related masterclass in collaboration with the Sommeliers Australia committee upon return to Australia.
To apply, please complete this application form by Friday 27 June at 5pm AEST.
