An Austrian national, Tobias has been Sommelier at Hotel Kronenschlösschen at Eltville since October 2022. He is also studying for a degree in International Wine Business at the Hochschule Geisenheim University. Germany's “best wine lists” organised by Star Wine Lists saw Tobias’ establishment jointly win the Best California Wine List with the accolade “A rare wine list with a great depth in back vintages and some amazing producers available at a fair price.”

Assistant Head Sommelier at Rockpool Bar and Grill Sydney where he has been since April 2021. Rockpool has one of the country’s finest wine vaults. Working at the esteemed Sydney steakhouse is the “Holy Grail” for many Sommeliers. To be promoted within its Sommelier ranks is a wine-lover’s dream. Rockpool encourages team members to undertake professional development and supports these endeavours. Italian-born Gianmattia said, “I want to develop my Sommelier career at Rockpool. I work with a very strong and talented team and I have the opportunity to work with one of the best wine lists in the world. One of the things Gianmattia enjoys most about working at Rockpool is “being able to learn every day something different about this vast world of wine. I enjoy taking care of our guests and guiding them with their wine choice. When your guest is happy about what they have been recommended, especially after long research, it is the best reward.”

Eric Palmer grew up near Philadelphia and got his first job when he was 14 at McDonalds. He worked a variety of jobs, but after “falling in love with wine” he decided to take the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Course followed by studying Beverage Management at The University of Massachusetts and an internship at Blantyre, a small Relais & Chateaux resort in New England. It was here he realized the possibility of wine as a career. In 2020 Eric moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to help open The Chastain restaurant. Under the mentorship of Beverage Manager Juan Cortes, Eric rose to the position of Assistant Sommelier and helped develop a programme that won a Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence”. In 2022 Eric joined Perrine’s Wine, an independent retail shop with two locations. An active member of Atlanta’s vibrant wine community, Eric participates in multiple tasting groups, works wine dinners and events throughout the city, and mentors those studying for the competitions and exams.