Ubuntu Sommeliers Trophy

For the 2026 Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy, we will make sure that our glassware is perfectly pristine, thanks to the advance technology of Winterhalter glasswashers.

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes competition will be bigger than ever! Stellenbosch will be the capital of the wine world on the 7th of December 2026.

Book your date.

Higgo Jacobs is one of the most respected sommeliers in South Africa, and a key stakeholder of the ASI - Association de la Sommellerie Internationale where he serves as director of the by-laws committee, and sits at the Ethic Committee.
His integrity cannot be questioned and his ability to assess candidates has been proven at international contests.
We were very happy to welcome him at the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy, making sure our candidates were assessed in the most professional way.
Thank you Higgo.

How many of these talented young sommeliers will be competing at the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy 2026?
Mark the date, Monday 7th of December, sommeliers from Africa meet at Lanzerac Hotel for the largest sommelier contest ever seen on African soil.

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy first started as a competition between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Since then it evolved into the largest sommelier contest in Africa, hopefully welcoming Sommelier Association of Kenya - SOKA, Association des Sommeliers de l' Ile Maurice and Nigeria in 2026, to challenge Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Thanks to our partners, we make the African sommellerie globally relevant.

South African Sommeliers Association
Sommeliers Association of Zimbabwe

One of the most experienced local judge for the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy 2025 is Marc Friederich, a proud Alsatian, former Best Sommelier of Switzerland, and accomplished chef. He is now one of the most talked-about well-being coach in South Africa.
He advocates that a good life is a question of balance!
His Mediterranean-inspired nutrition mentoring can coexist with great wines in moderation.
Marc was in charge of judging the food pairing skills of the candidate, and their knowledge of beers, since Beer Association South Africa was a key partner in the event.

Thank you Marc for your energy and your dedication to the sommeliers of the world.

Thanks to our partners for having made this event possible. See you in 2026.

Wayve Kolevsohn is one of the most experienced South African sommelier, managing the beverage side of the Royal Portfolio group.
She volunteered to assess the candidates of the 2025 Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Sommeliers Trophy to make sure each contestant was offered a fair chance to shine.
Thank you Wayve for your support.

The Royal Portfolio
Lanzerac Wine Estate

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy is making the international headlines!

ASI Member News: Consecutive Wins for Mauritius of Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy 🏆

Team Mauritius has once again claimed the Ubuntu International Sommelier Trophy, securing a second consecutive victory at the 2025 edition held on 8 December at the historic Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch. 👏🤩 Competing against teams from Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the continental final brought together Africa’s top sommelier talent following demanding semi-finals that tested skills across wine service, blind tasting, theory, sake and beer identification, menu explanation and pairing challenges. 💪 The final round, hosted in partnership with Stellenbosch Wine Routes, further showcased the competitors’ versatility with tasks spanning sparkling wine service, still and fortified wines, spirits, water service and beer-and-food pairing, all overseen by an international jury chaired by Giuseppe Vaccarini, former ASI Best Sommelier of the World.🥂

Team Mauritius who was represented by Jaisen Pandoo and Shani Ramasawmy, both former national champions, retained the Ubuntu Trophy, while George Young (South Africa) earned the highest individual score, receiving the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Award. 🍷 Featuring eight finalists from Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the sixth edition of the Ubuntu Trophy reaffirmed its role as a vital platform for showcasing African excellence in sommellerie. The event was organised by Jean-Vincent Ridon. 👏

Our congratulations to the winners, all competitors and the organising committee - a memorable sommelier event for Africa! 🔥

The Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy is the beating heart of the African sommeliers.
Will we get more countries competing in 2026?
Congratulations to:
Sommeliers Association of Zimbabwe
Sommelier Association of Kenya - SOKA
South African Sommeliers Association
Association des Sommeliers de l' Ile Maurice

Stellenbosch Wine Routes

African sommeliers take centre stage at Ubuntu Trophy in SA – Channel Africa `; var popup = window.open('', 'radioPlayer', features); popup.document.write(popupContent); popup.document.close(); }); });

Great to see such a coverage about the Stellenbosch Wine Routes Ubuntu Trophy 2025!

Thanks to our long time partners
Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Beer Association South Africa
South African Brandy Foundation
Lanzerac Wine Estate

www.restaurants.co.za

The Stellenbosch Wine Route Ubuntu Trophy has opened the door to the world for African sommeliers.
This is now a global competition.
Congratulations to all the contestants

Stellenbosch Wine Routes
Sommeliers Association of Zimbabwe
Sommelier Association of Kenya - SOKA
Association des Sommeliers de l' Ile Maurice
South African Sommeliers Association

Southern Africa’s best sommeliers compete in historic showdown Teams from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius will vie for the 2024 Ubuntu International Sommeliers Trophy in Stellenbosch.