Following several rigorous semi-final rounds in various countries, a total of 11 finalists from around the world will compete in this prestigious event where one will be crowned as the winner in this competition. They comprise:
1. Martien Marcelissen - The Netherlands
2. Maja Hempel - Sweden
3. Samuel Ndichu - Kenya
4. Takura Makadzange - Zimbabwe
5. Adam Knoerzer - United States of America
6. Richelle van Gemert - United Kingdom
7. Andrew Forsyth - Canada
8. Taku Iguro - Japan
9. Derek Li Greater - China
10. Chek Wong - Singapore
11. Maximilian Wilm - Germany
For winning their semi-final rounds, each finalist receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the Cape Winelands to participate in the overall final from 19 to 26 September. The sommeliers will be hosted in several of the South African wine regions over the period of their stay and be able to attend masterclasses and tastings with regions and varietal organisations and they will have the opportunity to be truly immersed into South African wine, food and hospitality.
The grand finale will be judged by a selection of local and international judges.
The international judging panel includes Marc Almert (Germany), who was the overall winner of this competition in 2016, Sören Polonius (Sweden) and Ronan Sayburn (UK). The local judges who are all members of the South African Sommelier Association (SASA), are Joakim Blackadder and Spencer Fondaumiere. This year for the first time there will be the addition of an Associate Judge, Minenhle Mthombeni, who has been nominated by her peers.
On the day of the final, participants will be required to complete a number of elements, including a theory test on South African wine and the industry, in order to pass through to the final service element, where only the top three will then compete for the title in front of an audience of South African wine producers and media.
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