ASI Bootcamp Americas 2026: Summary

As the UK-affiliated ASI member, the UK Sommelier Academy (UKSA) was proud to send Maria Boumpa—2025 UK Sommelier of the Year and our candidate for the upcoming 2026 ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition—to represent our nation at the sixth edition of the ASI Bootcamp.

Hosted in São Paulo, Brazil, in co-organisation with the Associação Brasileira de Sommeliers (ABS), this landmark event brought together 48 exceptional sommeliers from over 20 countries. Over three intensive days, participants engaged in high-level educational sessions, rigorous blind tastings, and invaluable international exchange designed to nurture the next generation of global hospitality leaders.

Key Highlights & Global Connections

• Fostering Future Talent: Under the leadership of Bootcamp Director Piotr Kamecki and Content Co-Directors Sören Polonius and Marc Almert, the event showcased the immense drive and motivation of top young sommeliers worldwide, dispelling industry concerns about hospitality talent shortages.

• Practical Knowledge & Lasting Networks: The Bootcamp focused on actionable insights that delegates can take back to their local associations, teams, and dining rooms. Beyond formal training, the event established vibrant ongoing professional networks across borders.

• Cultural & Peer Exchange: From interactive discussions to the popular "Bring Your Own Bottle" evening—where candidates shared benchmark bottles from their home regions—the Bootcamp highlighted ASI's commitment to learning through diversity and shared passion.

• Valued International Support: The intensive curriculum was made possible through the generous support of global partners, including Graham's Port, AdVini (Domaine Laroche), Vinhos Verdes, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, Wines of Brazil, Stoelzle Lausitz, Perlage Water, and Underberg Brasil.

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A WORD FROM MARIA

“The ASI Bootcamp in São Paulo was a powerful reminder of just how global the world of sommellerie has become. Over three intensive days, we moved between blind tasting, service and competition preparation, but also explored everything from Brazilian wine and sake to spirits, beer, coffee and water. What made the experience particularly valuable, however, were the people involved. Having the opportunity to learn from some of the most respected figures in our profession, while exchanging ideas and experiences with sommeliers from different countries and backgrounds, creates a kind of learning that simply cannot be replicated from books alone.

Travelling to Brazil added another dimension to that experience. Being immersed in a different wine culture, discovering the country’s wines and hospitality firsthand, and meeting the people shaping sommellerie there reinforced something I find increasingly important: to be a great sommelier today, you need to look far beyond the traditional wine regions. Wine is an international language, shaped by culture, place and people, and opportunities like the ASI Bootcamp allow us to experience that in a very real way. I came back to the UK with a lot of new knowledge, new perspectives and a renewed inspiration for the journey ahead.''

Images courtesy of ASI

Program

• Blind Tasting theory and practical sessions

• Service Masterclasses (Food & Wine, decanting…

• Sommelier Business theory class

• Wine in Moderation theory class

• Spirits of the World theory class

• Beer Fermentation theory class

• Preparing for Exams and Competitions

• Masterclasses:

  • Wines of Brazil

  • Graham’s Port: Port vs Tawny Port

  • Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association: Sake Unveiled

  • Domaine Laroche, Advini: Ode to Chardonnay

  • Vinhos Verdes: A deep dive into Diversity and Excellence

  • Perlage Water: How Fine Water Became Part of the Gastronomic experience

  • Brasilberg: Coffee and Herbs: The New Trend in International Mixology

• Wines of Brazil Dinner and Gala Dinner

Tutors

• SÖREN POLONIUS (ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2019, ASI Bootcamp Content Co-Director)

• MARC ALMERT (ASI Exam & Education Committee Co-Director, ASI Bootcamp Content Co-Director)

• DOUG FROST (Areni Global, Brewer, Beer Judge)

• PAULINE VICARD (Master of Wine, Master Sommelier)

• EMILY WINES (Master Sommelier

• ISA BAL (Master Sommelier, ASI Best Sommelier of Europe 2008)

UKSA extends its gratitude to ASI, ABS, the organising team, and the international faculty for delivering an exceptional platform of education and inspiration as Maria prepares to represent the UK on the world stage later this year.