Sommlympics is back—and bolder than ever.
This high-stakes showdown pushes wine professionals to their limits, testing sharp minds, steady hands, and finely tuned palates across three equally demanding arenas: theory, service, and blind tasting. Teams of three industry experts—whether they work the floor, the cellar, or the classroom—will battle it out under pressure, all in a thrilling new venue with revamped rules and game-changing prizes. This isn’t just a competition. It’s a celebration of mastery, nerve, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in wine.
Presented by The Oenophile Institute & A Cork in the Road
Hosted at The FORTH Hotel
Teams
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Sommlympics is open to teams of three seasoned wine professionals from any corner of the industry—whether you're behind the bar, in the cellar, in sales, or teaching the next generation. Each team must be registered by a designated Team Captain using the button below.
All teams must be finalized—and all individual competitors registered for their respective challenges (theory, blinds, service)—no later than October 1st. Incomplete registrations by this deadline may result in forfeiture of your team’s spot.
Only 12 teams will compete. When the spots are gone, they’re gone.
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Your team’s registration secures your place among the 12 competing trios in the 2026 Sommlympics. Here’s what’s included:
Guaranteed entry for a team of three upon registration completion.
All wines, tools, and service materials provided by The Oenophile Institute—just bring your skills
Lunch and all-day grazing snacks courtesy of The Forth Hotel to keep you fuelled and focused
Access to a preferred room block at The Forth Hotel at a reduced rate, opening for booking after October 1st.
An optional welcome meet-up for competitors on the evening of January 10th—a chance to break the ice before the pressure's on
Swag - cause duh.
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Past competitors spoke—we listened. For our third Sommlympics, we’ve gone all in to make this the most competitive, most exciting, and most fair edition yet.
Scoring has been overhauled: All individual competition placements now carry equal weight toward the team’s final score (e.g., 1st = 80 pts, 2nd = 75 pts, etc.), leveling the playing field across theory, service, and blind tasting.
More expert judges: Each event now features specialists to ensure focused, knowledgeable, and consistent assessment.
Game play is changing—drastically: New formats. New challenges. But you’ll have to register to find out more.
Bigger venue, smarter flow: We’re moving into a larger space, allowing events to run concurrently—no more 12-hour marathon day.
Fuel and hydration, sorted: Expect food and water readily available throughout the day for both competitors and spectators, no scavenger hunt required.
This isn’t just a refresh—it’s a full evolution.
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Announcing in Fall of 2025