For Raimonds wine is the most exciting beverage ever made by man. Over the last 20 years, he had the great opportunity to visit numerous vineyards and wineries, learn from passionate winemakers and wine personalities, compete along with other great sommeliers of the world, and experience all the amazing and positive emotions wine delivers.
In 1999, due to a coincidence, Raimonds ended up in the famous Vincents restaurant in Riga and started working as a waiter’s assistant, under the guidance of a very passionate chef – Mārtiņš Rītiņš. Besides being an excellent chef, he was also an incredibly brilliant personality. He taught Raimonds so many aspects of hospitality and life. Discipline, attitude, work ethics, respect for your colleagues and humbleness to your guests, perfection,and no shortcuts in everything you do. Mārtiņš always liked to repeat: “There is no second best”.
Being very close to him he shaped Raimonds as a personality, strengthening his characteristics such as perseverance and determination, which helped him to achieve his ambitions. Thanks to him Raimonds had a chance to visit some of the world’s top restaurants like El Bulli, Osteria Francescana, and Noma providing perspective and a broader view of his goals. Raimond’s professional destiny became crystal clear and so was his great love and passion for fine cuisine, hospitality, and, gradually, wine.
This profession requires constant learning, curiosity, and improvement of skills; therefore, Raimonds always has been taking part in different sommelier competitions around the world to advance his professional development and to remain ambitious and goal-oriented.
Raimonds is being recognized as The Best Sommelier of the World 2023 and Best Sommelier of Europe 2017 by the world’s leading wine organisation – A.S.I. (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale).
In 2016 he expanded his knowledge at the famous Austrian Wine Academy in Rust where he passed the acknowledged WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits.
Latvian Sommelier Association was established in 2002. As a non-profit organisation, it gathers wine professionals and enthusiasts with a common goal to develop wine culture in Latvia. Latvian Sommelier Association is also an official member of the world’s leading wine organisation – A.S.I. (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale). Being part of this organisation and its mission is essential and since 2016 Raimonds has been a Member of the Board.
Wine tasting competitions are very important platforms in promoting and selling wine helping winemakers shine and be recognised. Therefore, Raimonds is privileged to be a wine judge at the prestigious Decanter Wine World Awards and a jury member for the “Latvia’s Wine of the Year” contest. Being part of these competitions, you have the possibility to taste several hundreds of wines expanding your horizons in the world of wine, and staying up to date with the newest trends.
Great restaurants and wine bars are true and passionate wine ambassadors, and they play an instrumental role for the whole wine industry. Raimonds is very thankful and happy to be a jury member and ambassador for Star Wine Lists which recognizes and celebrates great wine lists of the world and the passionate people behind them.
Barents Wine Collectors is a fine wine import and distribution company based in Riga with an exquisite collection of fine & rare wines. Being a wine director together with the passionate and professional team of the company Raimonds is curating and developing their wine portfolio. Through Barents Wine Collectors Raimonds also has a great opportunityto introduce to the Baltic region excellent and sought-after winemakers and their wines which helps to develop the wine culture.
Being an adventurous and open-minded sommelier means that you must be passionate and educated not only about wines but also other exciting and traditional high-quality beverages. This gives Raimonds the opportunity to learn and explore new horizons and enlarge his expertise and knowledge. This is a mutually beneficial situation where both parties can add value, distinction, and recognition to their brands.
Currently, Raimonds can pride himself as a Friend of the house of G.H.Mumm champagne, brand ambassador of the Craft Irish Whiskey company as well as the Global brand ambassador of Mosphera – a unique off-road e-vehicle for the wine industry.
Raimond’s way of collaboration is based on loyalty, and respecting his partners’ goals and values. This in turn creates sustainable long-term relationships and dignity to each other. The rest are negotiable technical details. These are the values of Ltd. Raimonds Tomsons Wine Consulting, and this type of collaboration will add value, distinction, and global recognition to our current and future partners.
