About

Association De La Sommellerie Internationale

The ASI was founded over 55 years ago as an umbrella organisation to raise the bar for restaurant service professionals internationally. While its historical roots are in Europe, ASI is now represented on 6 continents.

ASI’s members are not individual sommeliers, but rather national sommelier associations themselves. With 63 national associations as full members and 5 postulant countries, it is uniquely positioned to drive conversation within the industry at the international, national, and local levels.

Learn more at www.asi.info 

The South African Sommelier Association (SASA) joined the ASI in 2015, and have since played a crucial role in the development of the sommelier profession on the African continent under the ASI umbrella. 

2025 will be the first year the General Assembly will be hosted on the African continent. And in 2027 we will host the first ASI Best Sommelier of Africa and the Middle East back in South Africa.

More than 100 delegates from all over the world are expected to attend the General Assembly this year.

Founded in 2010, SASA is a driving force within South Africa’s vibrant food and wine landscape. As a non-profit organisation, SASA is dedicated to nurturing excellence in wine service across South Africa, bringing globally recognised sommelier qualifications and career-changing opportunities to hospitality professionals. Our internationally endorsed training programs not only develop world-class sommeliers, but also build pride in our local wine culture, connection local talent with the international community.

We offer recognised certifications in the major provinces on a regular basis, ranging from Introduction to Junior Sommelier and SASA certified Sommelier qualifications, and culminating in the ASI Diploma on a very senior level.

Through prestigious competitions like the Best Sommelier of SA and Best Young Sommelier of SA, SASA highlights our best talent, and prepare winning candidates to compete in global (ASI) contests. We also host regular masterclasses and training workshops.

Learn more at www.sommeliers.org.za