All the sommeliers from Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe who competed in the 2024 Ubuntu International Sommeliers Trophy competition at Lanzerac, Stellenbosch.
Held on Monday, 9 December 2024 at the prestigious Lanzerac in Stellenbosch, this year's Ubuntu International Sommeliers competition marked a milestone: it welcomed Team Mauritius for the first time, competing alongside the established teams from South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Organised by the Sommeliers Academy under the management of Jean Vincent Ridon, current Best Sommelier of South Africa and co-founder of the Sommeliers Association of Zimbabwe, the Ubuntu Trophy is Africa's only international sommelier competition. Since its inception in 2020, the event has been supported by Stellenbosch Wine Routes, solidifying Stellenbosch as a hub for wine and sommelier excellence.
The competition’s unique team format highlights collaboration and camaraderie, true to the spirit of ubuntu. This year, Team Mauritius made an unforgettable debut, taking home the championship trophy. Olivia Ravat of Mauritius earned the distinction of highest scorer, showcasing her unparalleled expertise.
A competition of the highest standards
This year’s competition featured a jury of unmatched caliber. The local judging panel included:
- Spencer Fondaumiere, SASA Chairman and ASI Diploma holder
- Andrew Shelly, DipWSET and WineLab expert
- Higgo Jacobs, Director of the ASI By-Law Committee
- Victor Okolo, Co-founder of the Sommeliers Association of Nigeria
An esteemed international jury evaluated contestants via live video broadcast, led by Michèle Chantôme, ASI vice president for Africa and Middle East, with members including:
- Yvonne Heistermann, president of Sommeliers of Germany
- Giuseppe Vaccarini, ASI Best Sommelier of the World and ASI education committee president
- Eric Zweibel, Master Sommelier
The final challenges
The thrilling final round tasked competitors with showcasing their versatility across a variety of disciplines:
- Serving aperitifs, including an SA Brandy cocktail, Darling Brewery wheat beer, and Glenelly Chardonnay while avoiding the traps.
- Decanting Kleine Zalze Cabernet Sauvignon with precision.
- A full description of a Flagstone Viognier tasted blind.
- Identifying beverages served in black Chef&Sommelier glasses, distinguishing nuances between bourbon and whisky, or between various beer styles.
- Explaining a global menu, pairing dishes with wines, cocktails, beers, and other beverages from four continents.
Results of the Ubuntu International Sommeliers Trophy 2024
Winning team: Team Mauritius
Highest scorer: Olivia Ravat (Mauritius)
Participants
Team Zimbabwe
- Tadiswa Chikwanha
- Tinashe Musora
- Takura Makadzange (Finalist)
- Mxolisi Mahatshi (Finalist)
- Henryeta Muringwa
Team South Africa
- Okuhle Sikade
- George Young (Finalist)
- Tumelo Andrew Moreo (Finalist)
- Gregory Lorimer
- Lehumo Masemola
Team Mauritius
- Olivia Ravat (Finalist)
- Jean-Desvaux Geerdarry (Finalist)
Olivia Ravat and Jean-Desvaux Geerdarry of Team Mauritius, the winning team of the Ubuntu International Sommeliers Trophy.
Uniting Africa’s sommeliers
The Ubuntu International Sommeliers Trophy, hosted annually by Stellenbosch Wine Routes, is more than a competition – it is a celebration of African excellence on the global stage. With live streaming connecting audiences across five continents, this year’s event was a resounding success, culminating in a celebratory toast with Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel.
This event was made possible through the generous support of Stellenbosch Wine Routes, Lanzerac, SA Brandy Foundation, BASA (Beer Association of South Africa), Chef&Sommelier Glassware, Fanèl, Acqua Panna, S.Pellegrino water, Sommeliers Academy, and RGBC.
This innovative format, judged by a professional jury with live video broadcasting, has cemented the Ubuntu Sommeliers Trophy as a trailblazer in the global sommelier community.
For more information, contact Jean Vincent Ridon at jv@ridon.co.za.