An interview with Matias Prezioso, ASI Vice-President Americas
2025 was a defining year for sommellerie across the Americas, marked bymilestones thatbroadened the region’s visibility, diversity, and ambition. From a landmark continentalchampionship in Sonoma to historic advancements in South America and the Caribbean, the yearshowcased a profession evolving beyond its traditional centres. The rise of new voices, newmember countries, and new educational pathways signalled a shift toward a more inclusive andregionally representative future. At the same time, the achievements of individual sommeliersfrom Canada and the United States toColombia, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and theDominican Republicand elsewherehighlighted the extraordinary breadth of talent shaping thebeverage landscape today. Taken together, 2025 stands as a transformative chapter, redefiningwhat excellencemeans in the Americas.
1.A Landmark Continental Contest in Sonoma
The ASI Best Sommelier of the Americas 2025 marked a historic milestone as it was held for the first time in the United States, reinforcing that country’s growing role in the global sommelier ecosystem. Joris Garcia (ASI Gold Diploma) of Canada narrowly edged out Mark Guilladeu (ASI Gold Diploma, Master Sommelier) to take home the title. The contest held in Sonoma, also produced another defining regional moment when Nicolás Reines of Colombia reached the podium, finishing in third place. For Colombia, a country without a deep-rooted domestic wine production culture, this achievement signalled a remarkable rise. Reines’ performance not only showcased the technical excellence emerging from non-traditional wine nations but also sent a powerful message to younger sommeliers across Latin America: excellence is possible regardless of geography or local industry limitations.
2. Argentina’s Valeria Mortara Recognised as a Leading Voice in Hospitality
Valeria Mortara, Head Sommelier at Buenos Aires’ celebrated Anchoita, was honoured with the “Guiding Spirit for Wine in Hospitality” award. Her work represents the best of modern Latin American sommellerie as the award recognises her combination of deep knowledge, service-driven attitude, and relentless commitment to guest experience. Mortara’s recognition also underscores a broader shift in sommelier excellence in the Americas that bridges wine knowledge with leadership, mentorship, and service culture.
3. Venezuela Hosts the ASI EEC Meeting and Beverage Masterclasses
In an important moment for northern South America, Venezuela hosted the 2025 annual meeting of the ASI Examinations & Education Committee (EEC). The gathering was accompanied by a series of masterclasses celebrating Venezuelan cacao, rum, cocuy, and coffee; a showcase of the country’s distinctive terroirs and craft traditions. This event highlighted the expanding educational presence of ASI in the Americas and reinforced the idea that sommeliers must master not only wine but the full beverage landscape, especially culturally significant regional products. This integration was highlighted by three Venezuelan sommeliers achieving the rank of ASI Diploma recipients in 2025.
4. Colombia Becomes an ASI Active Member
A pivotal step for Latin American representation came when Colombia was formally admitted as an Active Member of ASI at the 2025 General Assembly in Cape Town. This milestone cements Colombia’s place within the global sommelier network, giving its professionals full voting rights, deeper access to ASI certification pathways, and increased visibility on the international stage. Combined with Reines’ podium finish in Sonoma, Colombia’s presence in the Americas’ sommelier community has never been stronger.
5. Growth of Education & Inclusivity Across North America
Beyond competitions, 2025 also saw a notable rise in education, access, and inclusivity initiatives across the United States and Canada. Programmes such as Wine Unify, SommFoundation scholarships, CAPS led competitions and training modules, and CMS-Americas’ expanded SKA (Sommelier Knowledge Assessment) contributed to broader professional development.
These initiatives are reshaping who can become a sommelier in the Americas. By supporting BIPOC professionals, early-career sommeliers, and those from non-traditional backgrounds, they represent a structural evolution. One that strengthens the profession’s long-term diversity, regional reach, and global competitiveness.
6. Rise of Caribbean Sommeliers: The Caribbean continues to see a rise in sommellerie, led by the Dominican Republic which hosted their inaugural “Best Italian Wine Sommelier Competition” in 2025, notably won by Andrés Meschisi. The competition strengthened Italian wine culture in the Dominican Republic and showcased the growing competitiveness of wine professionals in the country. The Dominican Republic also had outstanding representation at ASI 1 and 2 examinations, with Federico Díaz becoming the first from the Dominican Republic to obtaine ASI 2 certification. Showing the broad strength of the country, sommelier Rafael Alexander Sánchez represented the Dominican Republic at the ASI Best Sommelier of the Americas competition, performing a high-level job and carrying it out with dignity and professionalism.
7. Brazil Enriches Its Global Links – The Associação Brasileira de Sommeliers, for the first time, proctored ASI Certification 1 and 2 examinations. Participating in these exams was an extremely significant milestone for the sommelier association as it supports international recognition for sommeliers working in South America’s most populous country. The Association also hosted Sommelier Week (“La Semana del Sommelier”) , created to celebrate National Sommelier Day on August 29. During the week, all the regional associations came together for an intensive program of technical tastings, masterclasses, and conferences. This initiative not only paid tribute to the profession but also celebrated the passion that drives sommellerie in the country, promoting integration, knowledge, and recognition of the field.
7 Sommeliers Making Waves in the Americas
