Best sommelier in the Baltics is Estonia’s Aleksei Pogrebnoi

Late on Saturday, 19 September, Estonia’s Aleksei Pogrebnoi was named the best sommelier in the Baltics. At this year’s Vana Tallinn Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix, held for the twentieth time, Lithuania’s Ignatij Semionov took second place, with Estonia’s Kevin Lilleleht finishing third after a closely fought contest. The title of best young sommelier went to Estonia’s Keili Õispuu.

“It feels a little unreal to be named the best sommelier in the Baltics for a second time – not many people have achieved that. I previously worked as a chef in restaurants and found my way into the sommelier profession on the recommendation of others. Now it feels fantastic! Don’t be afraid to try something new!” said Aleksei Pogrebnoi, the best sommelier in the Baltics, who also won the title in 2023.

“It is quite remarkable that we have had a competition of such high calibre here in the Baltics for 20 years. It matters not only to the competitors and winners but to our entire sommelier community. Several world-class sommeliers have emerged from this competition, and this year’s Vana Tallinn Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix once again reflected that high standard. The competition was exciting, demanding and a fitting way to mark the anniversary,” said jury chair Mikk Parre, European champion and himself a two-time winner of the Vana Tallinn Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix.

“A sommelier’s work, when done well, can be an almost invisible art to restaurant guests, but in competition that art takes centre stage. Here, the audience could see just how much professional knowledge and skill a sommelier needs to choose the right drink to accompany a dish and serve it in a way that creates a memorable experience for the guest,” said jury member and Liviko sommelier Urvo Ugandi.

“We are delighted that the Vana Tallinn Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix title has come home to Estonia in the competition’s twentieth anniversary year. The Estonian Sommelier Association is proud to organise the competition with Liviko and our Baltic colleagues, helping to develop our sommeliers’ skills and promote food and drink culture,” said Kristjan Markii, President of the Estonian Sommelier Association.

Liviko has provided a prize of €1,500 for the winner to put towards further professional training.

The jury had representatives from all three participating countries. This year’s judges included previous Vana Tallinn Grand Prix winners as well as the presidents of the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian sommelier associations.

Representing Estonia were Aleksei Pogrebnoi (second place last year and winner in 2023) of NOA Chef’s Hall, Kevin Lilleleht (third place last year and best young sommelier in 2021), head sommelier at 180 Degrees by Matthias Diether and Soo, and Federico Grasso, owner and sommelier of Controvento.

Competing for Latvia were Madara Kapzema (fourth place last year), head sommelier at John Chef’s Hall, Juris Semjonovs, sommelier at Pavāru Māja Līgatnē, and Pēteris Vaskis (best young sommelier in 2022).

Lithuania’s contenders were defending champion Ignatij Semionov (first place in 2025), Ugnė Mažutaitytė, a wine consultant at Gaston wine house, and Saimonas Roicevičius.

As is tradition, one young sommelier from each Baltic country is invited to compete, giving emerging professionals an opportunity to gain international experience. Competing for the title of best young sommelier this year were Keili Õispuu of Estonia (180 Degrees by Matthias Diether), Karolina Žigaitė of Lithuania (Saint Malo) and Natalia Tronova of Latvia (Noble Wine).

The Vana Tallinn Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix is a two-day professional competition that tests both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The first day consists of a written test and practical tasks. The top four contestants advance to the final on the second day, where they face a variety of surprise challenges before the jury and a live audience. Over the years, finalists have been tested on their knowledge and practical skills in situations ranging from blind tastings and decanting to correcting wine lists and recommending drinks to accompany a multi-course dinner.

The Vana Tallinn Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix has been held since 2006. The competition was established to promote a responsible drinking culture, in which sommeliers play an important role. It takes its name from Vana Tallinn, Estonia’s most popular liqueur, and is organised by Liviko in cooperation with the sommelier associations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.