NZer named UK Sommelier of the Year

New Zealander Emma Denney has been named UK Sommelier of the Year 2026, securing the UK's most prestigious professional title for sommeliers.

Currently Director of Wine at Claridge’s in London’s Mayfair, Denney is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, currently working towards the Master Sommelier diploma.

Originally from Auckland’s North Shore, Denney says her interest in wine began when she was put through the in-house wine training programmes while working at Dida’s Wine Bar for Glengarry/Hancocks and then going on to Auckland restaurants SPQR and Ebisu before moving to London.

This was her fourth year entering the UK competition, having placed fifth in 2025. In addition to taking the overall title, Denney was also awarded Best Performer in the Service Task, and the Blind Tasting Task.

UK Sommelier of the Year winner Emma Denney (centre) with Wilem Powell and Dolly Chao. (image courtesy UK Sommelier Academy)

The 2026 event attracted a record 68 applications with two days of intense competition. The finalists were tested across every aspect of modern sommellerie, including technical wine knowledge, blind tasting, food and wine pairing, spirits, fault identification and high-pressure service.

Dolly Chao of LaBombe by Trivet placed second, while Wilem Powell of BiBi was third.

The examination was designed and delivered by the UK Sommelier Academy and assessed by an independent judging panel comprising 18 former UK Sommelier of the Year winners and finalists, reinforcing the competition’s reputation as the UK’s most rigorous professional benchmark.

Christelle Guibert, owner of UK Sommelier of the Year, said: “Emma delivered an exceptional performance throughout the competition. What distinguished her was not only her technical knowledge, but her composure, judgement and consistency under pressure.”