Maria Boumpa crowned IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year

Last night, 8^th July 2025, the IWSC UK Sommelier of the Year came to its conclusion, and Maria Boumpa, Head Sommelier at London’s Da Terra Restaurant, was named UK Sommelier of the Year 2025.

This prestigious award was the culmination of two days of rigorous assessment, which saw Maria compete against 42 other sommeliers and progress through quarter and semi finals before competing in the live final in front of an in person and remote audience.

The competitors took part in a series of live tasks, that included blind tasting, role playing interactions with restaurant guests, correcting mistakes on a wine list, a quiz, and the now famous Champagne pour, which asks competitors to pour 14 identical glasses of Champagne without returning to any, under time pressure.

This was not the first time, Maria has reached the final, having placed third in the 2024 competition. This year, Maria was joined on stage by Dion Wai (also a 2024 finalist) who placed second and Joanna Nezrantzi, this year’s newcomer.

Congratulations to all 43 of this year’s competitors.

You can relive the live final and awards ceremony that followed on our Livestream.

The IWSC thanks our partner the UK Sommelier Academy for their support and this year’s sponsors Alliance Wine/H2 Vin, Amathus, AXA Millésimes, Berkmann Wine Cellars, Bibendum, Craft Irish Whiskey, Coravin, Edmond de Rothschild, Château d’Escalans, Friarwood Wines & Spirits, Jascots Wine Merchants, Margaret River Wine and Moët Henessy.