January 11th at the forth hotel

2026 Team Registration is Closed

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:

2nd Place Team
Gold Medalists in each event
“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
- 1 Night Stay at The Epicurean, Tampa
- $1000 gift certificate for team to dine at Bern’s Steakhouse presented by MS Walker
- $300 per competitor for airfare presented by Klet Brda
- 1-Year Membership to Wine Scholar Guild
- A 5-day trip to visit TWO regions in Portugal!
  - Start with an exploration of Porto and the Douro Valley presented by Kopke – the world’s oldest Port wine house still in operation
    Arrival in Porto – Vila Nova de Gaia
    Visit to the Kopke Cellars with a special tasting
    Dinner at 1638 by Nacho Manzano
    Accommodation at 5-star Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel (including breakfast)
    Travel to the Douro Valley
    Visit to Quinta de São Luíz in Tabuaço
    Picnic in the vineyard
    Accommodation at The Vine House (including breakfast)
  - Then get picked up by Cultivamos and drive to Esporão in the Alentejo region
    Arrive at the hotel and head to lunch at a wine bar
    Walking tour followed by a wine tasting
    Then a day of tasting olive oil, other activities in the winery, and dinner that night
    Drive back to Lisbon
- 3 round trip main class airfare tickets sponsored by Monogram Styling
- 1-Year Membership to Wine Scholar Guild
- Sommlympics 2026 Champion Trophy
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.