Announcing the Champagne Telmont Best Young Sommelier of South Africa 2022 semi-finalists

Previous Best Sommelier of South Africa 2018 and SASA education committee head, Jo Wessels, has painstakingly graded all of the applications, and the following have made it to the semi-finals (A-Z):

• Carla Lopes, FOH floor manager at Chefs Warehouse Tintswalo Atlantic
• George Young, sommelier at Oldenburg Vineyards in Stellenbosch
• George Tawanda Chikanda, sommelier at QBar Johannesburg
• Lizo Mdali, wine ambassador at The Wine Arc in Stellenbosch
• Sanelisiwe Lusanda Damawe, sommelier at Oldenburg Vineyards
• Stefan Reinmuth, head sommelier at Oldenburg Vineyards
• Tapiwa Jamu, junior sommelier at Ivory Manor Boutique Hotel in Pretoria
• Thembani Wesley Mpande, assistant sommelier at Marble Restaurant in Johannesburg
• Zintle Mkize, captain waitress and F&B supervisor at The Groves

These nine semi-finalists will compete on 4 October at the beautiful Blaauwklippen Wine Estate for the title of Champagne Telmont Best Young Sommelier of South Africa 2022.

 “In the Name of Mother Nature, Champagne Telmont has committed to create the most sustainable, organic champagne and heavily focus on preserving our land and our biodiversity. We are thrilled to support future generations, in particular by supporting SASA and the Telmont Best Young Sommelier of South Africa 2022 award” - Ludovic du Plessis, President of the House of Telmont.

Spencer Fondaumiere, Chairperson of SASA says, “I could not be more pleased. This has been a monumental year for SASA. That we have had a record number of entries is testament to all the hard work the whole team has devoted. None of this would have been achieved without our partners and we are delighted to introduce a brand new title sponsor in Champagne Telmont. We feel very aligned with their ethos of sustainability and commitment to nature and we are proud to be working with them as they enter the market!”

 Additionally, “The Stellenbosch Wine Routes recognise the importance of the role sommeliers play in connecting hospitality and wine; they are the ambassadors taking the personality and essence of wine to the table. We are proud to support Best Young Sommelier, inspiring and encouraging more people to discover and share the exciting world of wine.” said Elmarie Rabe, manager of Stellenbosch Wine Routes.

 The Best Young Sommelier 2022 panel of judges:

• Harald Bresselschmidt, famed chef and owner of Aubergine Restaurant in Cape Town
• Roxan Waldek, founder of the Aperigon Youth Development Academy
• LeRoi Van de Vyver, head sommelier at ëlgr Restaurant, and SASA Board member

Our MC for the day, Siyabonga Mbaba, is many things - a creative, an entrepreneur, project manager, host, and community activist.

 The live events starts at 13:00 and be streamed via our YouTube page.

 Run of show

• 13:00 - Finalists announced
• 13:00-15:00 - Finalists competition
• 15:00-15:45 - Star Wine List of the year South Africa Awards
• 16:00 - Winner of the Champagne Telmont Best Young Sommelier of South Africa 2022 Announcement

For more information, please contact Erica Taylor at erica@uncorkified.com.

Alcohol not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Drink responsibly. www.aware.org.za.