Raising the Line: UKSA Members Dominate the Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommelier Edit 2026
If 2026 proves anything, it's this: the UK's top sommeliers aren't just holding the line—they're raising it.
This year's Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers list lands at a moment when pressure is high across the board. In an economic and operational climate that demands constant adaptation, the hospitality industry has faced no shortage of headwinds. And yet, at the very top, performance has never looked more assured.
Precision, confidence, and clarity of vision define a group that continues to evolve, outperform, and lead from the front. Nowhere is that leadership more evident than within the ranks of the UK Sommelier Academy (UKSA). Our members didn’t just make the list this year; they dominated it, shaping the narrative of what world-class hospitality looks like today.
The Standard-Bearers: A Clean Sweep of the Podium
At the absolute peak of the list sits a fiercely competitive top tier working with intent, building programmes with identity, and executing at a level that leaves no room for complacency. The margins are tighter, the expectations higher—and our members are delivering anyway.
1st Place: Maria Boumpa (UKSA) Claiming the number one spot feels inevitable. Fresh from a brilliant second-place finish at the Hungarian Sommelier Club competition, elected by her peers as the Sommeliers' Sommelier, and actively gearing up to represent us and the UK at the prestigious ASI Contest Best Sommelier of the World 2026 in Lisbon, Maria’s rise signals pure authority. She isn't just operating at the highest level; she's actively redefining it.
2nd Place: Klearhos Kanellakis (UKSA)
3rd Place: Marco Nardi (UKSA)
To secure the top three spots on a list of this caliber is a monumental achievement, reflecting the relentless work ethic and deep expertise running through the UKSA community.
Leading the Charge for Representation: Top Female Sommeliers
One of the most encouraging takeaways from the 2026 Edit is the continued ascent of female professionals at the highest levels. Female representation across the Top 100 has climbed to 26%—an upward shift that reflects excellence thriving at the top end of the profession, not just in the pipeline.
This excellence was crystallised in the ‘Top 5 Female Sommeliers’ special category, where four out of the five recognized are UKSA members:
Maria Boumpa
Emma Denney
Roxane Dupuy
Kristina Gladilina
These professionals are driving the industry forward, proving that the future of British sommellerie is more diverse, dynamic, and competitive than ever.
Innovation and Depth: Pushing the Boundaries of Hospitality
The true strength of the UKSA network lies in its depth. This isn't a list carried by a handful of big names; it is a testament to a collective culture of excellence.
With industry titan Brian Julyan MS winning the Legend Award, education and mentorship remain central themes for 2026. Our sommeliers are proving they can adapt, refine, and stay relevant in a climate that demands exactly that. Today's wine lists are sharper. Decision-making is smarter. There's less room for excess, and far more focus on intent.
This commitment to forward-thinking hospitality was perfectly encapsulated by Eugenio Egorov, who took home the coveted Innovation Award for his boundary-pushing approach to the craft.
The New Guard: Immediate Impact
Crucially, the next wave is already knocking on the door. The "Ones to Watch" and "Young Sommeliers" categories don't feel like a nod to future potential—their impact feels immediate. These are professionals already making decisive moves, possessing strong points of view and the confidence to back them up. They're not inheriting the industry playbook. They're rewriting it.
A massive congratulations to our rising stars:
'Top 5 to Watch'
Sean Crosby
Christopher Frayling-Cork
Carolina Seibel
Grace Shih
'Top 5 Young Sommeliers'
Gabriel Lee
Léonard Lievin
Erazem Ocvirk
Congratulations
To our podium finishers, our special category winners, and every single UKSA member who earned their place in this year's Top 100: Thank you. Your dedication elevates our entire community, inspires the next generation of hospitality professionals, and ensures the UK remains a global powerhouse of wine culture and generously pass on their knowledge and skills.
Want to view the full list? Head over to sommelieredit.com to see the complete Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommelier Edit 2026.