Four SASA members passed the ASI Certificate 1 exam

The South African Sommeliers Association (SASA) is happy to share that on 19 December 2022, four students out of eight across South Africa passed the ASI Certificate 1 exam. The exam was held on 21 November 2022 at Culture Wine Bar's The Wine Library in Cape Town. 

Spencer Fondaumiere, SASA chairperson, said: “Congratulations to our members on furthering their qualifications. This was the inaugural ASI Certificate 1 exam that SASA hosted, and we are proud and pleased with how well we have done.”

Congratulations to these four students that have passed the exam (A-Z):

• Erica Taylor, head of operations for SASA
• Jaco Meyer, founder of Wine Not
• Luke Erickson, tasting room manager at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate
• Thembani Wesley Mpande, sommelier at Marble Restaurant, Johannesburg

The ASI Certificate 1 exam is the first step into the ASI exam program. The ASI Certification 1 is suitable for any candidate looking to validate their competencies and obtain an international validation of their sommelier skills. This Certification is the first step into the ASI exam program and compliments the SASA Junior sommelier certification with a greater focus on international wines.

The next ASI exam will take place in May 2023. Details of the event are TBC.

For more information, please reach out to info@sommeliers.org.za 

To find out more about the ASI Certification 1 exam, please click HERE.

Check the list of competencies HERE.