2026 Sommlympics logo with red wine splash design in the background.

January 11th at the forth hotel

2026 Team Registration is Open

A woman in a pink blazer pours water into glasses on a table during a social gathering, with multiple guests seated around, some watching and others engaged, in a room decorated with a Christmas tree and holiday decorations.

How Sommlympics Works

12 teams. 3 events. 1 team named Sommlympics champions.

Sommlympics is a high-energy, one-day competition where teams of three wine professionals face off across three core events: Blind Tasting, Theory, and Service. But here’s the twist—only one team member competes in each event.

Strategy counts just as much as skill.

The Gameplay

Three Events:
Each team sends one representative into each event. Once assigned, roles can’t be switched—so choose your strongest player for each challenge.

  • Blind Tasting – One teammate evaluates 5 wines blind, calling variety, region, vintage, and more. Scored on accuracy and logical structure.

  • Theory – Another teammate steps up for a Jeopardy-style battle, buzzing in on questions covering everything from obscure grape varieties to global wine law. High risk, high reward.

  • Service – The third teammate handles a live service scenario. The format changes every year (and we’re keeping it secret for now), but expect elegance, pressure, and surprises.

Group of five people celebrating, holding a large check for $1,000 with the words 'Fernet About It!' written on it, and wearing medals. Two men and one woman are dressed in white baseball-style jerseys, while the other two men are dressed in casual clothing. They are in an indoor setting with maps on the wall and pendant lights hanging from the ceiling.

Scoring & Strategy

  • Each event is scored independently by a panel of judges. Each event is weighted equally upon finishing placement.

  • Teams earn cumulative points based on individual performances across all three events.

  • Bonus points may be awarded for handling our notorious curveballs with finesse.

How Winners Are Determined

When the events wrap, all points are tallied. The team with the highest combined score is crowned the Sommlympics 2026 Champions.

Additional awards may include:

  • Best in Tasting

  • Best in Theory

  • Best in Service

  • “Star du Spectacle”

2026 Prizes

    • Sommlympics Gold Medal

    • Magnum of wine presented by UVA Imports

    • 1-Year Membership to Wine Scholar Guild

    • Chance to compete for an all-inclusive trip to Argentina presented by Wines of Argentina

      • Trip includes an educational 5 days spanning multiple wine regions, airfare & transfers, accomodations, ground transportation, and meals

      • Must be used in 2026

    • Sommlympics Gold Medal

    • Magnum of wine presented by UVA Imports

    • 1-Year Membership to Wine Scholar Guild

    • Chance to compete for an all-inclusive trip to Argentina presented by Wines of Argentina

      • Trip includes 5 days spanning multiple wine regions, airfare & transfers, lodging, ground transportation, and meals

      • Must be used in 2026

    • Sommlympics Gold Medal

    • Magnum of wine presented by UVA Imports

    • 1-Year Membership to Wine Scholar Guild

    • Chance to compete for an all-inclusive trip to Argentina presented by Wines of Argentina

      • Trip includes 5 days spanning multiple wine regions, airfare & transfers, lodging, ground transportation, and meals

      • Must be used in 2026

  • The Star du Spectacle award honors the competitor who most fully embodies the spirit of Sommlympics. More than technical skill, this recognition celebrates hospitality, grace under pressure, generosity of spirit, and the ability to uplift those around them.

    Finalists are chosen by a secret committee, with the ultimate winner selected by a vote of their peers, judges, and referees.

    The Star du Spectacle will be awarded:

    • Champagne Master Level Scholarship from Wine Scholar Guild

    • All-inclusive trip to Champagne presented by Bureau du Champagne, USA

      • Trip includes an educational 4 days / 5 nights in Champagne. Airfare, ground transportation, and accomadations are included.

2024 Winners

  • Group of four people at an award ceremony, two women and two men, smiling and holding awards and medals. They are in a room with framed maps and hanging lights.

    2024 Sommlympics Champions "Fernet About It"

  • Three people wearing black T-shirts and dark jackets at an indoor event with medals around their necks, posing with smiles. The person on the right is raising two fingers in a victory sign.

    2024 2nd Place Team "Terroir Titans"

  • Three smiling people celebrating with drinks at a party, two women in red blazers and a man in black with a gold chain, in front of a bar with alcohol bottles and maps on the wall.

    2024 3rd Place Team "Run DRC"

  • Three women at an award ceremony standing near a bar, with one woman holding a bottle of wine and a certificate, smiling, while the other two women look on.

    2024 Best in Blinds - Janeen Jason

  • Three women and a man dressed in a giraffe costume holding a bottle of champagne and a certificate at an awards event.

    2024 Best in Service - Eric Palmer

  • A man with glasses wearing a baseball jersey with 'Fernet Branca' and a medal around his neck is holding a bottle and a certificate, standing between two women, all smiling at a celebration or award event.

    2024 Best in Theory - Max Goldberg

  • Three people smiling and talking at a social event, with one woman holding a glass of white wine.

    2024 Star du Spectacle - Marvella Castaneda