PHILOSOPHY

Wine reveals itself gradually. Over the last twenty years, I have worked, travelled, learned, competed, met countless winemakers, experienced many outstanding wines and appreciated the subtlety of their flavor nuances and the amazing diversity of the world of wine.

Today I continue to develop my ability to pass on my passion and knowledge.

Sharing my experience with both wine enthusiasts and professionals, brings me true joy, and I hope that for each one of you I can reveal something new, something you have not experienced or sensed. Wine embodies knowledge, culture and history, pleasure and vivid emotions – things I wish to share with you.

ABOUT

I have always learned from the best. Many years of working with the legendary chef Mārtiņš Rītiņš in restaurant Vincents, the most prestigious gourmet establishment in Riga, as well as insightful stays at world class restaurants like as El Bulli, Noma and Osteria Francescana, have allowed me to thoroughly appreciate what it means to be a great sommelier.

This profession requires constant learning and improvement of skills; therefore, I always have been taking part in different sommelier competitions around the world to advance my professional development. I pride myself as being recognized as The Best Sommelier of the World 2023 and also Best Sommelier of Europe 2017 by the world's leading wine organization - A.S.I. (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale)

In 2016 I expanded my knowledge in the famous Austrian Wine academy in Rust where I passed the prestige WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits.

Currently I am the Wine director at Barents Wine Collectors, Global Brand ambassador at Mosphera, board member at the Latvian Sommelier Association, a wine judge at the prestigious Decanter Wine World Awards, a jury member of Star Wine Lists – the guide to great wine lists of the World, a jury member for the “Latvia’s Wine of the Year” contest and owner of
Ltd. Raimonds Tomsons Wine Consulting.