The New Zealand Sommeliers & Wine Professionals Association has announced that Auckland-based sommelier Andrea Martinisi will represent New Zealand at the 2026 ASI Best Sommelier of the World Competition in Lisbon, Portugal.
Originally from Italy, Martinisi has competed internationally since 2019 and represented New Zealand in Japan, Belgium and France.
He is also the winner of New Zealand Sommelier of the Year in 2021 and 2022, and has worked as Group Beverage Director for The Grove and Baduzzi.
Martinisi is now Head Sommelier at Normanby Fine Wines & Spirits in Auckland and says being selected to represent New Zealand is both an honour and a responsibility.
“It’s a chance to test myself at the highest international level of sommellerie and really see what I can achieve and where I rank,” he says.
“My preparation will be rigorous. Studying wine regions from around world, regular blind tastings of international wines, developing my own personal set of wine world flashcards and working on my practical service performance under pressure.
“I also must keep up to date with what is happening globally in wine as this also forms part of the overall assessment. My personal goal is to arrive in Portugal well-prepared and to give it my best shot!’
The competition is set to take place from 12-17 October 2026 and will include sommeliers from 65 member countries.
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