Sommeliers Academy

Come and train with us!
Armand Ridgard,Best Sommelier of South Africa 2025 is preparing for the ASI Best Sommelier of the Word.
Jean-Vincent Ridon, Best Sommelier of South Africa 2023 is preparing for the M*F Meilleur Ouvrier de France.
Both will represent SASA at these international competitions in October 2026.
Our next session will be on Monday 17th of August at Sommeliers Academy Capetown.
If you consider competiting for the SASA Team in the future, for the next Ubuntu Trophy, the ASI Best Sommelier of Africa and Middle East, or the best Sommelier of South Africa 2027, join us to polish your skills.
However you need to join us with questions, tasks, beverages so we all benefit from your input too.
This is strictly on approved booking since it is a very limited group.
Note that you need to be a SASA member with a valid membership to join these sommelier contest training days.
Contact us on [email protected]

Armand Ridgard
Jean Vincent RIDON
SA Sommeliers Association



PS: Fabulous Judy from wine.co.za: Virtual Home of South African Wine will not compete but we are all greatful for her permanent support!

Today one of the most experienced sommeliers in South Africa was lecturing Wellington Wine Route tasting room ambassadors the art of optimising sales and client's experience.
Higgo Jacobs presented the Wine Advisor Certificate course, dedicated to winery tasting room staff and wine shop advisors.
Sommeliers Academy is not only training your team about wine, but how to turn client interaction into sales.
This is the sommelier's role.

More details on our WhatsApp 082 6232400

Our partnership with CUT Bloemfontein goes a long way, offering the future leaders of our industry the skills they will need in Tourism and Hospitality.
Congratulations to all the graduates in Tourism & Event Management

Boost your career in the very competitive hospitality industry.
The Wine Steward Certificate is the building block towards becoming a professional sommelier.
This intense one day course, followed by an exam, prepares students to have foundational knowledge in wine and service, including tasting methodology and food pairing.
This course prepares for the SASA exams for those looking for a double certification.
Register today on /sommeliers.academy or contact us by WhatsApp on 082 6232400
Ask your HR manager to invest in your training, this is their benefits.


SA Sommeliers Association

South African Wine Steward Certificate – Sommeliers Academy South African Wine Steward CertificateR2,990.00 SOUTH AFRICAN WINE STEWARD CERTIFICATE 2026 Take your hospitality career to the next level! Course information If you’re excited about starting a career in the hospitality industry and aspire to be part of wine service, the Wine Steward Certificate i...

Classic education makes great sommeliers able to work all around the world.
You want an international career?
Register today for SA Sommeliers Association, Zimsomms and Association de la Sommellerie Internationale 🌍 certification.

Because our team could not travel to Beirut due to the war still raging in South Lebanon, this week we are distant teaching members of the ASLIB, the Association of Lebanese Sommeliers, in partnership with Joseph Mounayer, the dynamic president of ASLIB.
If you need your team to be trained at distance, you can always contact us for a solution.

ASLIB

Congratulations to our new Certified Wine Stewards, showing talent on the floors of Cape Town best restaurants.

Boost your career, register on www.sommeliers.academy and become a Certified Wine Steward too.

Congratulations to Joe Beziek for winning the SASA Best Young Sommelier 2026 contest.
It was a beautiful competition organised by South African Sommeliers Association

The Wine Steward Certificate became the gold standard in the South African hospitality industry.
Register today to boost your career, limited number of seats available.

Apply on www.sommeliers.academy

South African Wine Steward Certificate – Sommeliers Academy South African Wine Steward CertificateR2,990.00 SOUTH AFRICAN WINE STEWARD CERTIFICATE 2026 Take your hospitality career to the next level! Course information If you’re excited about starting a career in the hospitality industry and aspire to be part of wine service, the Wine Steward Certificate i...