Two Championships for Estonia at the Baltic Sommelier Competition
Text Timo Raussi Photos Aron Urb / Estonian Sommelier Association
Keili Õispuu, Ignatij Semionov, Aleksei Pogrebnoi, Kevin Lilleleht
Estonia’s Aleksei Pogrebnoi won the Baltic Sommelier Grand Prix in Tallinn at the weekend, held for the 20th time, becoming the Baltic countries’ best sommelier for the second time. Last year’s champion, Lithuania’s Ignatij Semionov, came in second, while Estonia’s Kevin Lilleleht finished third. The title of Best Young Sommelier also stayed in Estonia this year, going to Keili Õispuu.
Over two days, the competitors completed numerous written and practical tasks. Based on the points awarded, the four best of the 12 participants advanced to Saturday’s final, held in front of an international jury and an audience. In the final, the competitors were given a series of surprise tasks. Over the years, finalists have had to blind-taste and decant wines, correct factual errors hidden in wine lists, and recommend drinks to accompany lengthy tasting menus.
Pogrebnoi, who works as head sommelier at NOA Chef’s Hall, also won the competition in 2023. His recent achievements include being named Estonia’s Sommelier of the Year by the Michelin Guide jury in May, as well as last year’s titles of Estonia’s Best Sommelier and the Baltic countries’ second-best sommelier.
“It feels a little unreal to be named the Baltic’s best sommelier for the second time—not many people have achieved this,” Pogrebnoi said after his victory.
The Grand Prix has been organised since 2006 through cooperation between the sommelier associations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Each country is represented by three more experienced sommeliers, and one young sommelier who has recently entered the profession. Estonia’s other two main competitors this time were Kevin Lilleleht, representing 180 Degrees by Matthias Diether and Soo restaurants, and Federico Grasso, the sommelier and owner of Controvento restaurant. The young sommelier competition featured rising stars Keili Õispuu, who works at 180 Degrees alongside Lilleleht, Lithuania’s Karolina Žigaitė and Latvia’s Natalia Tronova, who competed as invited participants.
The competition jury was chaired by Mikk Parre, who, in Pogrebnoi’s words, has also won the Baltic championship twice, in 2022 and 2024. In the latter championship year, he also won the title of the best sommelier in the EMEA region. Parre now works as a freelance sommelier and international drinks consultant, while also serving on the five-member board of the Estonian Sommelier Association.
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