Monique Seongah Kim Named UK Winner of the 2027 New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship
The UK Sommelier Academy, in partnership with New Zealand Winegrowers, is delighted to officially announce Monique Seongah Kim as the winner of the prestigious UK 2027 New Zealand Wine Sommelier Scholarship. Monique will join a select group of international scholars representing key global wine markets on this year's trip.
Monique Seongah Kim is a respected London-based general manager, sommelier, and WSET Diploma holder—notably recognised for her expertise at Lady of the Grapes in Covent Garden, where she is celebrated for her flair, deep wine list mastery, and dedication to championing organic, low-intervention wines and female winemakers.
Behind the Selection Process The UK competition drew a high volume of ambitious applicants from across the trade. Candidates submitted detailed proposals evaluating their current lists and outlining commercial opportunities for New Zealand wine.
New Zealand Winegrowers managed the initial screening, systematically shortlisting the UK entries down to ten and then to six candidates. The UKSA team was then consulted on the top six to select a final shortlist of three candidates for in-depth interviews. The interview panel evaluated candidate group dynamics, industry reach, and post-trip educational plans. While the standard across all three finalists was extraordinarily high, Monique stood out for her clear strategic vision and passion for Southern Hemisphere viticulture.
An All-Inclusive Journey to New Zealand As the UK recipient, Monique will travel to New Zealand in early 2027 to connect with international sommelier peers for a career-defining experience:
Sommit™ 2027: An exclusive, technical forum in the Waitaki Valley hosted by Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas and Master of Wine Stephen Wong.
Regional Exploration: In-depth visits and masterclasses with leading producers across key viticultural regions.
Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027: High-level access to the triennial celebration of New Zealand’s benchmark variety in Marlborough.
Upon her return, Monique will lead an exclusive tasting and presentation session for the UK trade to share her technical insights and regional discoveries.
A huge congratulations to Monique from everyone at UKSA!