PREVIOUS SOMMELIER CUP winners
>> 2016: Marc Almert [Germany]ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2019
Marc was born in Cologne (1991), completed his training in hotel management then got his first job in the field in the restaurant Ente (1* Michelin, Wiesbaden) Rheingau region, known for its Rieslings. He returned to the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Hamburg, as chef sommelier in the 2* Michelin restaurant Haerlin. In 2017 Marc moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where he is currently in charge of the wine program at the 5* hotel Baur au Lac, including the 2* Michelin restaurant Pavillon.
Inspired by his discovery of wines, Marc began training seriously and participating in various competitions. He admits to being naturally competitive, with a goal to excelling in everything he undertakes. He is an active member of Somm360° and the German-based Sommelier College, where the best German sommeliers meet colleagues and mentors, as excellent preparation for the Master Sommelier (MS) exams.
He passed his Advanced Sommelier Exam by the Court of Master Sommeliers. In 2015 he got awarded as best Sommelier, Concours National des Jeunes Sommeliers, organised by Chaine des Rotisseurs Germany In 2016 he won the WOSA Sommelier Cup 2016 in Cape Town and the Gaggenau International Sommelier Award in Vienna. In 2017 he was awarded as Best Sommelier of Germany.
In March 2019 Marc won the ASI – Best Sommelier of the World in Antwerp, Belgium. He is the 16th winner of the world’s best sommelier competition since the event was founded in 1969. He is also one of the youngest to take the prize, at just 27 years old. Marc was nominated as the German Candidate to participate at this world-class Sommelier Competition and he competed against 66 candidates from 63 countries.
>>2013: Will predhomme [canada]
Will Predhomme has been the Senior Sommelier for Oliver & Bonacini's flagship Canoe Restaurant & Bar in Toronto Ontario since 2008. Will began his wine career at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta in 2002, moving on to become Ontario's youngest LCBO Product Consultant in 2005, followed by a contract as sommelier for Harrah's Casinos International in 2007. Predhomme currently holds the Advanced Sommelier certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently scheduled to sit the Master Sommelier examination in October 2013. Will represented Canada in March 2013 for the ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition held in Tokyo. Awards include the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s Top 30 Under 30, has won the Best Ontario Sommelier competition in 2010 through the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, & most recently voted the 2012 GE Monogram Terroir Award for Excellence in Hospitality by his peers.
>> 2010: christ0pher bates [usa]
Christopher Bates, MS, has spent over 15 years in all aspects of the hospitality industry, lending him a well-rounded perspective of all facets. Currently as General Manager & Executive Chef of Hotel Fauchère, Relais & Chateaux he over sees the 16 room hotel and 4 restaurants. Prior to his time at the Hotel Fauchère he spent four years at the Inn at Dos Brisas, Relais & Chateaux where under his direction as General Manager and Sommelier they won numerous honors such as Mobil/Forbes 5 Stars, Relais & Chateaux, Relais Grands Chefs and were named one of the 100 most exciting wine programs in the US from Wine Enthusiast, an award that he won again at the Hotel Fauchère in 2013.
In 2012 Christopher was named Best Young Sommelier in the world after winning Best Young Sommelier in America previously in the year. He went on to win TopSomm 2013, Americas most important sommelier competition, before passing his Master Sommelier Exam, making him the 199th person in the world to do so, and the first to ever pass as a working Executive Chef. Additionally Christopher and his wife Isabel run Element Winery, a small winery in the Finger Lakes of New York producing tiny quantities of highly sought after Riesling, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Christopher teaches about wine, writes for numerous publications and brews beer as well. Currently they are working on their newest project, Finger Lakes Social Element, a relaxed casual fine dining destination in the Finger Lakes, as well as a new Micro Distillery project. Christopher writes and teaches about food and beverages of all sorts for Sommelier Journal, Winophelia, ICC, American Sommelier Association and others.
>> 2016 Final participants
Cheron Cowan
- USA
Erik Grödahl
- Sweden
Erik Simonics
- UK
Geoffrey Kariuki
- Kenya
Joe Yang
- MACAU
Marc Almert
- Germany
Marijn Smit
- The Netherlands
Nathan Morrell
- Canada