Courtesy of A Cork in the Road, LLC

Returning to Atlanta, GA this December, Sommlympics is a multi-event challenge of knowledge and skills capturing the competitive interest of wine professionals from coast to coast.

As with every sporting competition that aims for a championship, the second annual “Sommlympics” is set to be the premier test for wine connoisseurs. This esteemed, high-stakes competition is tailored to honor the craftsmanship of wine and the expertise of sommeliers, featuring numerous unexpected challenges that have already piqued the interest of wine professionals nationwide. This innovative multi-stage competition brings together teams of three competitors from the wine industry who face a series of demanding tasks that cover wine theory, service, and blind tasting. Attendees can buy tickets to observe the exhilarating competition, savor fine wines, and gain valuable insights from the various challenges.

Courtesy of A Cork In The Road, LLC

The first Sommlympics in 2023 was an electrifying event, filled with excitement and a sense of community. It created unforgettable memories for everyone present. Following the success of the previous year, the competition is set to expand in scope this December in Georgia. Attendees can choose to purchase tickets for individual events or opt for a full-day pass that includes access to all events and an awards ceremony where winners will be celebrated and prizes awarded. This year’s event will also feature a special bonus prize – the “Star de Spectacle” or Star of the Show, which will be presented to one of the participants at the end of the day. These prize packages have been made possible through the generous contributions of sponsors both locally and internationally, who support wine education and the joy of wine exploration within the community.

From Concept to Competition: The Sommlympics Origin Story

The idea behind Sommlympics came from Chelsea Young, a self-proclaimed cork dork who transitioned into an industry professional. As the Founder & Lead Educator of The Oenophile Institute, she aimed to create an accessible platform for wine education. After facing challenges in finding convenient learning spaces on her own journey, Young partnered with Anthony Alvarez, the owner of The Vineyard Wine Market in Smyrna, GA, to establish the Institute. Through its programs, she aspires to make wine and beverage education readily available to all interested parties. “When I first opened the Institute, I envisioned the ‘The Sommelier Games’ as a fun field day for wine enthusiasts,” Young reminisces. “However, I learned from friends competing in national and international contests that there weren’t enough opportunities available. Thus, I aimed to create something challenging yet more transparent and fair.” The Sommlympics was designed for teams of three, allowing sommeliers to showcase their talents while remaining accessible to those who study wine. “Most importantly, I wanted to retain the fun,” Young explains about her thought process, “so I incorporated twists, strategic team gameplay, and interactive elements for the audience.” Young has enlisted fellow wine industry friends to volunteer for this successful event and even arranged for a surprise guest judge this year to assist with scoring. “Above all,” she expresses regarding this year’s competitors, “I hope they enjoy themselves and forge new friendships. But as an educator, I also hope everyone walks away having learned something!”

Photo by Kristin Estadt

Since its inception, the Sommlympics has seen a remarkable expansion in its pool of participants, with the upcoming 2024 competition set to showcase a diverse range of professionals. Competitors this year include a Master Sommelier, candidates training to become Master Sommeliers, WSET Diploma students, sommeliers from Michelin-starred establishments, retail experts, and representatives from distribution. Ultimately, the championship will honor three exemplary wine professionals at the pinnacle of their careers. Registrations for the 2024 competition have already come in from various locations across the U.S., including New York, Florida, California, and Georgia. Janeen Jason, a Certified Sommelier and Buyer for VinoTeca Wine Store in Atlanta, GA, participated in the inaugural event and is returning in 2024 with the same team. She emphasizes that the Sommlympics highlights the many aspects of advanced wine education within her community. “As a black queer woman, representation is crucial for me. Atlanta stands as a hub for diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in our wine community,” Jason states. Serving once again as her team’s representative for the blind tasting event, she incorporates her experiences from the retail shop into her weekly practice sessions. Additionally, she is meticulously documenting the wines selected for her blind tasting kits, which she curates as mentorship offerings for aspiring sommeliers looking to enhance their tasting skills. “To spectators, Sommlympics can spark a passion for diving deeper into wine,” Jason adds, “and witnessing professionals in their element sets the standards expected on restaurant floors and highlights vital elements of certification.” Jade Palmer, a WSET Diploma Candidate and Wine Buyer for Hop City Beer & Wine at Krog Street Market in Atlanta, GA, was part of the 2023 championship team, and she concurs that the Sommlympics provides an enjoyable, low-pressure arena to engage with some of the industry’s most brilliant minds. “I’m always studying,” she shares, “so regardless of anything that may arise in the theoretical segment, I’ve either encountered it, am currently tackling it, or will soon.” Palmer and her team named “Grand Crew: Carignan My Wayward Son” are gearing up to return and defend their title at the 2024 competition.

The innovative framework of this competition not only attracts a spectrum of wine professionals but also provides a platform for celebrating how wine acts as a communal bond. Advanced Sommelier Elizabeth Dames, Cofounder and Wine Director of The Perlant, shared that serving as her team’s representative during the theory segment afforded her the opportunity to test her limits alongside some of the finest talent in the wine industry. “It’s the ideal blend of serious competition and a celebration of all the facets of wine that I adore,” Dames remarks, “and competing with dear friends as part of an encouraging community serves as a significant source of motivation. The camaraderie found within the wine sector is unique, and the Sommlympics truly highlights that.” Last year, as she prepared for the Master Sommelier theory examination, Dames maintained a rigorous study schedule, remaining intensely focused. However, this year she plans to adjust her tactics by prioritizing a calm demeanor under pressure, which she aims to integrate into her Master Sommelier studies as well. “I’ve also been learning alongside new sommelier friends to keep the experience vibrant and gain various insights,” she notes, “which continues the enjoyable learning from last year!” While exam preparations may often feel like solitary, rigorous academic endeavors, the Sommlympics engage wine professionals in real-time scenarios that challenge their quick-thinking abilities and capacity for managing high-pressure service situations. Dames recollects how the presence of an audience heightens the experience, where knowing people are observing every action adds an additional layer of intensity. “Participating in this competition is excellent practice for examinations and real-world situations I may encounter in restaurants, enhancing my professional skills overall. It’s fast-paced, unpredictable, and honestly, immensely fun — far more dynamic than poring over a study guide!”

Thanks to A Cork in the Road, LLC

This year, each event of the Sommlympics is designed to offer spectators a distinctive experience, ensuring an engaging view of the unfolding action. Every team, comprising three members, will designate one participant to take part in the following three events:

Medals and prizes will be presented to the highest-scoring Sommlympian at the conclusion of each individual event. However, the final point totals and the Grand Prize team will be disclosed during the grand Awards Ceremony at the end of the day’s celebrations.

From Champagne to Culinary Getaways: The Prizes for Sommlympics 2024 Increase the Stakes

In the previous year, the victorious team enjoyed their $1,000 cash award by dining at Bern’s Steakhouse, complete with accommodations across the street at the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, FL. This year, with an impressive group of elite competitors participating, the caliber and volume of prizes have significantly improved. At each of the three individual events, gold medalists will receive enrollment in a Master Level Course from Wine Scholar Guild, in addition to a bottle of Champagne from one of three prestigious wine retailers in Atlanta, GA – Press Shop, Elemental Spirits, and VinoTeca. The three members of the Grand Prize winning team will once again receive a complimentary one-night stay at the Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, FL, along with a $1,000 gift card for Bern’s Steakhouse. Moreover, they will also take home a personalized bottle of 100-Year-Old Para Tawny from Seppeltsfield in Barossa, Australia. A new bonus prize has been introduced for the 2024 competition, destined to grab the attention of participants: one Sommlympian will be honored as the “Star du Spectacle” and awarded a trip to Champagne, courtesy of Comite Champagne. Such high-caliber prizes offered by generous sponsors are bound to heighten the excitement throughout the day for both the Sommlympians and the audience.

Joe Herrig, the Director of Education for Georgia Crown Distributing Co. and a graduate of the WSET Diploma program, was part of the championship team in 2023. He remarked, “what’s not to love?” when asked about his favorite aspects of the previous year’s Sommlympics. “This event is all about geeking out, pulling some corks, and challenging each other to improve,” Herrig explains. “Competitions like this inspire every participating wine professional to refine their skills, ultimately enhancing wine sales, service, and hospitality in the host city.” As he returns to defend his title this year, Herrig recognizes the heightened competition and is planning to enter with an open mind, relying on the expertise of his teammates. “I genuinely don’t know what challenges await us this year, so we’ll just show up, enjoy ourselves, and see where the day takes us,” he adds. Herrig and his fellow returning Sommlympians agree that the community within the wine industry is exceptional, making it the perfect occasion to celebrate with some fine Champagne and toast together at the celebration’s end. “I’m an enormous supporter of every participant and those who cheer us on from the crowd, so I want to share that joy with them,” Herrig states. “Bringing people together is what wonderful wine is truly about, isn’t it?”

To learn more about the Sommlympics, visit this link and keep an eye out for the team of wine experts that will seize the championship title in 2024!

Photo credit: Kristin Estadt