UKSA Members excel in 2025 ASI Diploma exam
We couldn’t be prouder of our new ASI Diploma Holders. The UKSA members have always performed highly in the Diploma exam and 2025’s candidates smashed it once again.
We achieved 9 medals out of the 49 awarded worldwide!
Only 14 ASI Diploma Gold medals were awarded globally and our members achieved 5 of them!!!!
Huge congratulations go to…
Maria Boumpa - Head Sommelier/Wine Buyer at Da Terra
Leonard Lieven - Sommelier at The Pass at South Lodge
Daniele Arcangeli - Head Sommelier/Wine Buyer at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Luca Bocca - Assistant Head Sommelier at Lecture Room and Library, Sketch
Grace Shih - Head of Wine at Restaurant St.Barts
Charlie Richards - Sommelier at Claridge’s
Dion Wai - Wine & Bar Manager at The OWO at Raffles
Matt Kowalczyk - Wine Business Manager for Moet Hennessy UK/Kai Mayfair
Joanna Nerantzi - Head Sommelier at 5 Hertford Street
We are absolutely thrilled for them and incredibly proud. This achievement is a true testament to the exceptional talent and professionalism within the UK sommelier community. It also reflects the supportive spirit of our members, whose encouragement and camaraderie continually elevate standards and inspire excellence across the industry.
The ASI Diploma is often seen as a benchmark for excellence in wine knowledge, tasting skill, and service. It is one of most prestigious and globally recognised qualifications in the world of professional sommellerie and is recognised worldwide by top restaurants, wine producers, hospitality institutions and the international wine trade.
“It's a very important exam... It's fundamental in gaining an understanding of the ASI standard in order to compete in competition, specifically for the UK Sommelier of the Years and the ASI European and World Contests.”
— Eric Zweibel MS, UK Sommelier of the Year 2024, UKSA’s Talent & Development Director and Platinum ASI Diploma holder
We will be presenting the Diplomas at this year’s IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year final, where we look forward to congratulating them in person.
Thanks go to the ASI Exams and Education Committee for the brilliant organisation of the process, our volunteer judges and our major sponsor the IWSC for enabling us to run the exams.
You can see a full list of worldwide ASI Diploma Holders by clicking here
To see all the UKSA ASI exam honour roll click here
We will be announcing registration for our ASI Certification 1 exam soon, so if you are ready to start your ASI exam journey, keep your eyes peeled!