Zareh Mesrobyan wins 2026 Ruinart Sommelier Challenge UK
The head of Wine at Estelle Manor, the private members’ club in Oxfordshire, has taken top honours at this year’s competition, which focused on rosé Champagne, ripening and winemaking.
Zareh Mesrobyan, head of wine at Estelle Manor, has been named the winner of the 2026 UK edition of the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge, held at The Dorchester in London on 8 June.
Mesrobyan was selected from a field of 29 sommeliers from across the UK by a judging panel led by Ruinart Chef de Caves Caroline Fiot, alongside 2024 winner Emma Denney, Head of Wine at Claridge’s, and Natalie Earl, France Editor at Decanter.
The annual challenge focused on the theme of Exploring rosé champagne: ripening and winemaking.
Joanna Nerantzi, Head Sommelier at Raffles London at The OWO, took second place, while Grace Shih, Head of Wine at Restaurant St. Barts, finished third.
Founded in 2010 in the United States and now held in eight countries, the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge aims to bring together talented sommeliers who share the values of excellence and wish to continue learning about wines and the winemaking process.
Blind tasting and rosé Champagne masterclass
The competition began with a blind tasting of four wines, testing candidates on their ability to describe and identify each wine, recommend food pairings and specify appropriate serving conditions.
A masterclass followed, focusing on the current and future challenges facing rosé Champagne production. Participants explored different winemaking techniques, from traditional maceration to blending.
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The session also examined how Maison Ruinart is responding to the challenges posed by global warming in order to preserve the aromatic freshness and colour of its rosé wines.
“Having been runner up in 2024, I’m delighted to have won the competition this year. I’m very much looking forward to visiting Ruinart next year in Champagne,” said Mesrobyan.
International Champagne trip awaits
Mesrobyan, who is originally from Bulgaria, is Head of Wine at Estelle Manor and is also an IWSC Panel Judge and international sommelier competitor.
As part of his prize, he will join fellow Ruinart Sommelier Challenge winners from around the world on a four-day educational trip to the Champagne region alongside Fiot and the Ruinart winemaking team. The visit will include technical tastings and an in-depth exploration of the region.
Fiot said: “It was an honour to be part of the competition this year and I was genuinely impressed by the calibre of contestants taking part. They worked really hard, and their passion and dedication was evident throughout the whole day. It was not an easy decision to choose a winner but we are thrilled to welcome Zareh to the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge international community this year and look forward to hosting him in Reims.”
Earl added: “I’m thrilled that Ruinart continues to support sommeliers in their education and development, providing vital access that enables a deeper understanding of winemaking techniques, vineyard management and terroir, which in turn elevates the experience for the consumer. This feels more important now than ever; at a time where answers are available at the touch of a button, the value of genuine human connection has never been clearer, and should be nurtured. That’s why competitions and challenges like this are so important – the ability to retain technical detail, to be precise, thoughtful and reactive, is irreplaceable.
“This year’s focus on rosé Champagne, with a blind tasting spanning still and sparkling wines, is a reminder that this is a category worth taking seriously – pushing participants to think creatively about food matching and the different scenarios in which these styles can be enjoyed at their best.”
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