Australia’s Finest Wine Professionals Revealed in Inaugural Top 100 Sommeliers Australia 2026
The first-ever Champagne Louis Roederer Top 100 Sommeliers Australia celebrates the talent, passion and expertise shaping the nation’s dynamic wine and hospitality landscape.
Sydney, Australia, 2026 – A landmark moment for Australian hospitality has arrived with the unveiling of the inaugural Champagne Louis Roederer Top 100 Sommeliers Australia, the country’s first comprehensive ranking dedicated to recognising the nation’s leading wine professionals.
Bringing together exceptional talent from across Australia, the inaugural ranking celebrates the sommeliers, beverage directors, wine buyers, educators and hospitality leaders whose passion, knowledge and commitment to excellence continue to elevate wine service standards nationwide.
From world-renowned fine dining establishments and luxury hotels to neighbourhood wine bars and independent hospitality venues, Australia’s sommeliers play a vital role in shaping memorable guest experiences. They are educators, storytellers, mentors and ambassadors who bridge the gap between producers and consumers, helping guests discover the stories, people and places behind every bottle.
The launch of Top 100 Sommeliers Australia marks an important milestone for the profession, providing long-overdue recognition for the individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing wine culture and hospitality excellence.
Champagne Louis Roederer Top 100 Sommeliers 2026 Australia
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Australia’s Number One Sommelier for 2026
This year’s number one-ranked sommelier is Paolo Saccone MS, Head of Beverage at Lucas Restaurants.
Recognised for outstanding achievement, leadership and commitment to excellence, Saccone has secured the highest position in the inaugural Top 100 Sommeliers Australia ranking. As one of Australia’s most respected wine professionals and a Master Sommelier, his influence extends across the hospitality industry through his dedication to wine education, mentorship and world-class beverage programmes.
His achievement reflects not only his individual success but also the extraordinary depth of talent that exists within Australia’s wine and hospitality community.
A New Era of Recognition
Chair Judge Amanda Yallop said the launch of the national ranking marks a significant moment for the sommelier profession.
“Australia is home to some of the most talented wine professionals in the world, working across an incredibly diverse and dynamic hospitality landscape. This inaugural Top 100 is about recognising the people whose commitment to excellence elevates the guest experience every day.”
Yallop added that the quality of nominations received during the inaugural year exceeded expectations.
“The calibre of nominations was exceptional and reflects the depth of talent across Australia. This ranking shines a spotlight on those individuals helping shape the future of wine culture while inspiring the next generation of sommeliers.”
The Champagne Louis Roederer Top 100 Sommeliers Australia has been developed to celebrate excellence through a transparent and independent assessment process. Nominations were invited from hospitality professionals, employers, colleagues and industry peers from across the country.
The resulting ranking reflects the diversity, professionalism and expertise of Australia’s sommelier community while recognising those individuals who consistently perform at the highest level of the profession.
Special Awards
Beyond the ranking, this year’s top award winners underline who’s truly shifting the dial.
These are figures whose influence extends well beyond their own lists and work environments, setting direction, challenging norms, and pushing the profession forward.
INSPIRATION AWARD
The 2026 Inspiration Award has been presented to Leanne Altmann, one of Australia’s most respected sommeliers, educators and hospitality leaders.
As Beverage Director of Melbourne’s acclaimed Trader House group, Altmann has earned widespread recognition for her contribution to wine service and education. A Len Evans Scholar and Gourmet Traveller Sommelier of the Year, she is admired throughout the industry for her commitment to mentoring emerging talent, promoting hospitality excellence and championing the sommelier profession. Her passion, generosity and leadership continue to inspire wine professionals across Australia.
LEGEND AWARD
The 2026 Legend Award has been presented to Patrick Walsh, a pioneering Australian sommelier, wine importer and educator whose influence on the Australian wine landscape spans more than three decades.
A former President of the Australian Sommeliers Association and founder of CellarHand, Walsh has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s appreciation of fine wine, introducing generations of hospitality professionals and consumers to many of the world’s greatest producers. Through his commitment to wine education, mentorship and excellence, he has helped build a lasting legacy within the Australian wine community.
Top 100 Sommeliers Australia 2026
- Paolo Saccone MS Head of Beverage NSW, Lucas Collective
- Christian Baeppler Head Sommelier, Rockpool Bar & Grill
- Addy Lam Head Sommelier, Woodcut
- Mirco Tarducci Beverage Director, The Heritage Wine Bar & Restaurant
- Roberto Lombardo Head Sommelier, Maison Batard
- Chris Ryan Senior Wine Buyer, Trader House Restaurants
- Daniel McEvoy Group Sommelier, Palmer Hospitality Group
- Andrew Lam Head Sommelier, Yamagen at QT Melbourne
- Nina Throsby Group Sommelier, Kailis Hospitality Group
- Steven Pietersma Head Sommelier, Bennelong
- Jacqueline Doucette Head Sommelier, Mimi’s
- Wes Morgan Group Beverage Manager, China Doll Restaurant
- Gianantonio Battaglia Sommelier, Ammos
- Gianmattia Giordano Group Sommelier, Hunter Street Hospitality
- Antoine Heurtier Group Sommelier, Morrison’s
- Zoe Brunton Head Sommelier, Olympus
- Luigi Celiento Head Sommelier, Grill Americano
- Houston Barakat Wine Director, Saint Peter
- Bridget Raffal Sommelier, Where’s Nick & Claret Club
- Ishan Kaplish Group Head Sommelier, Goodies Group
- Tim Stow Property Sommelier, Star Gold Coast
- Lisa Guenther-Strauss Beverage Director, The Art Syndicate
- Thomas Groeneveld Venue Manager, Bistro Penny
- Iain Wood Group Beverage Manager, SRG Hospitality
- Benoit Jackman Assistant Manager / Head Sommelier, Gildas
- Eduardo Fritis-Lamora Head Sommelier, Shell House
- Danny Huang Head Sommelier, Restaurant Hubert
- Maxime Martin Head Sommelier, Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant
- Léo Imbert Head Sommelier, Bessie’s & Alma’s
- Corrado Ferla Precinct Head Sommelier, The Cut Bar & Grill (Hunter Street Hospitality)
- Daniele Campo Venue Manager, BTWN Restaurant
- Alexander Jacques Head of Wine Operations, 67 Pall Mall Sydney
- Charlie Richards Head Sommelier, Agnes
- Clotilde Candusso Head Sommelier, Freyja Restaurant
- Jacqueline Turner Head Sommelier, The International
- Christina Paterno Director/Sommelier, Little Betty’s
- Camila Luzzi Head Sommelier, 6 Head
- Mario Montecuollo Group Sommelier, Porteno
- Kobi Watson Head of Beverage and Service, Ten Minutes by Tractor
- Astrid Desrosiers Head Sommelier, Antica Dining
- Johnny Murphy Restaurant Manger and Sommelier, Yamagen Japanese
- Florian Rupp Head Sommelier & Beverage Manager, Marmelo
- Kyle Reno Senior Sommelier, Aria
- Hanna Brugnolli Head Sommelier, Argyle Stores Precinct
- Georgie Davidson-Brown Head Sommelier, Akti Sydney, SRG Hospitality
- Giulia Ceruzzi Head Sommellier, Herritage Room, Rovollo
- Polly Mackarel Precinct Sommelier, Infinity by Mark Best – Sydney Tower Restaurants
- Samantha Belt Head Sommelier, Felix
- Jack Harris Sommelier, Aria
- Miroslava Mrazikova Sommelier, Aria Sydney
2026 Judges’ Special Categories
Top 5 Female Sommeliers
ZOE BRUNTON
Head Sommelier, Olympus
JACQUELINE DOUCETTE
Head Sommelier Mimi’s
LISA GUENTHER-STRAUSS
Beverage Director The Art Syndicate
BRIDGET RAFFAL
Sommelier, Where’s Nick & Cabaret Club
NINA THROSBY
Group Sommelier, Kailis Hospitality Group
Top 5 Ones-to-Watch
CAMILO MEDINA
Sommelier, Bennelong
MIROSLAVA MRAZIKOVA
Sommelier, Aria
VICTORIA PERKINS
Sommelier, Ten Minutes by Tractor
MARIA RUBIANO
Assistant Sommelier, National Wine Centre of Australia
LU BELLA WANG
Sommelier, Rockpool Bar and Grill
SPONSORED BY
Top 5 Young Sommeliers
KIRSTEN BOESEN
Sommelier, Restaurant Aptos
CLOTILDE CANDUSSO
Head Sommelier, Freyja Restaurant
CHARLIE RICHARDS
Head Sommelier, Agnes
MARZIA VERNILLO
Senior Sommelier BTWN at W
KOBI WATSON
Head of Beverage and Service, Ten Minutes by Tractor
SPONSORED BY
Top 51 to 100
in alphabetical order
- Fernando Kentaro Alves Miyazaki Sommelier, National Wine Centre of Australia / Wined bar/ Taikunthi
- Jake Atkinson Sommelier, Mojos kitchen bar and bottle shop
- Giovanni Barcelona Assistant Sommelier, O bar and dining
- Melinda Beswick Sommelier, MUSE
- Kirsten Boesen Sommelier, Restaurant Aptos
- Bruce Buckland Restaurant Sommelier, Jacksons restaurant
- Nick Caraturo Sommelier, Buon ricordo
- Rina Ju-Han Cheng Sommelier, Society
- Lucas Chiche Sommelier, Yugen Dining
- Aaron Clark Group Beverage Director, Ghanem group
- Callie Crumpler Assistant Head Sommelier, Felix
- Talia Cullis Sommelier & Restaurant Manager, Les Bistronomes
- Tomaso Cummings Sommelier, Olymous
- Patrick De Jonghe Assistant Head Sommelier, Elysium Noosa
- Christopher Entwistle Senior Sommelier, Ghanem group
- Eralde Felix Head Sommelier, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne
- Gabby Fury Sommelier & Assistant Restaurant Manager, Raes On Wategos
- Max Groh Assistant Sommelier, Chophouse
- Chris Hoy Assistant Head Sommelier, Aria
- Insu Jang Sommelier, Fred’s
- Edrenalyn Jarilla Sommelier, Aria Restaurant
- Alexey Kuzmenko Somelier, Shiraz
- Sean Lam Assistant Venue Manager, Flower Drum
- Grace Lau Assistant Head Sommelier, Restaurant Hubert
- George Mclachrie Assistant Head Sommelier, Grill Americano
- Camilo Medina Sommelier, Bennelong
- Adam Mink Sommelier, Beach Byron Bay
- Loren Mitchell-Moore Sommelier, Joy Restaurant
- Bao Ngo Sommelier, The Gidley
- Alison O’Brien Sommelier, Bennelong Restaurant
- Iain Parkinson Head Sommelier, Bathers pavilion restaurant
- Victoria Perkins Sommelier, Ten Minutes by Tractor
- Pauline Perotto Head Sommelier, Catalina
- Seth Piszczuk Head Sommelier, The Crafers Hotel
- Isaac Pockney Sommelier, Bennelong
- Ace Puri Sommelier, Gladstones Wine Bar
- Waldeck Ray Head Sommelier, Armorica
- Aynsley Ring Head Sommelier, The James/Langham Hotel
- Maria Rubiano Assistant Sommelier, National Wine Centre of Australia
- Patrick Salord Head Sommelier, Frasers Restaurant Group
- Andrew Shanahan Sommeliers, Nomad Sydney
- Tom Subileau General Manager / Head Sommelier, Kuro Bar & Dining
- Kate Tieu Junior Sommelier, Sixpenny
- Sam Tolley Sommelier, Builders Arms Hotel
- Keenan Turner Head Sommelier, Le Foote Swillhouse
- Yuji Uesugi Sommelier, Group Rengaya
- Marzia Vernillo Senior Sommelier, BTWN at W Sydney
- Valentina Vidal Sanchez Hospitality Assistant, Adelaide oval
- Lu Bella Wang Sommelier, Rockpool Bar and Grill Sydney
- Luke Willis Beverage Director, Anyday Hospitality Group
Congratulations to every sommelier recognised in this year’s ranking. Together, they represent the very best of Australian hospitality and the bright future of wine service across the nation.
Gallery of images from Sydney event, Monday 24 August 2026 available to download shortly…
2026 Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers United Kingdom
