18 Jun Nashville Wine Auction Opens Applications for Second Annual Somm Showdown
NASHVILLE, TN (June 18, 2025) – Nashville Wine Auction is excited to announce the return of its Somm Showdown, an exhilarating live competition showcasing Middle Tennessee’s most skilled and passionate sommeliers. Now in its second year, the event will take place on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at GEODIS Park, and applications are officially open for those who wish to compete.
The Somm Showdown celebrates wine knowledge, skill, and service with a fun and engaging format, including food and wine pairing, wine theory, and blind tasting, all performed live in front of an audience of more than 100 guests.
“It is such a pleasure and honor to work with our talented Somm community and the chefs that showcase their talents as well,” President and CEO of the Nashville Wine Auction Loren Chumley says. “We are excited to host the second competition!”
Created to celebrate the growing talent and community among local sommeliers, the Somm Showdown challenges six selected contestants to go head-to-head in a three-part, judged event:
• Round 1: A wine and food pairing contest – 6 contestants will participate; the 4 contestants with the most points for best pairing will move to the second component.
• Round 2: A wine theory and knowledge test that will be conducted in a Jeopardy style format – The top 4 contestants from round one will participate. The 2 contestants with the most points after the event will move on to the final component.
• Round 3: A blind tasting of two to three dry wines – the contestants must analyze, describe and identify the wine by grape, country, region and vintage.
In front of a live audience of over 100 wine lovers, contestants will pair wines with a dish created by an assigned local chef, test their knowledge under pressure, and demonstrate tasting skills, all for a chance to win up to $2,000 toward continued wine education.
Applications are open now to sommeliers and wine professionals who are 21 or older, live in Tennessee, and have at least three years of experience in the wine or hospitality industry. Full eligibility details and the application form can be found at: nashvillewineauction.com.
“The Somm Showdown was such a unique experience; it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way,” said Alex Burch, Wine Director at Bad Idea and 2024 Somm Showdown Champion. “The crowd was incredibly supportive, and it was inspiring to see so many talented wine professionals and chefs come together. My advice to anyone thinking about applying? Just go for it. Taste, study, and taste some more!”
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges from the wine, food, and hospitality world — including returning 2024 champion Alex Burch — in tandem with audience votes from guests tasting along with the competition.
Limited tickets for the Somm Showdown will be available through the 46th Annual l’Eté du Vin Auction, Nashville Wine Auction’s flagship fundraiser supporting organizations whose missions directly impact the fight against cancer. Tickets go on sale when the l’Eté du Vin Silent Auction goes live on Tuesday, July 22. Register for the 46th Annual l’Eté du Vin HERE to bid online or call the office to reserve your seat.
In addition to recruiting contestants, sponsorship opportunities are now available. Local businesses can support wine education and fund the fight against cancer while enjoying premium brand visibility. To learn more about sponsorships, visit: nashvillewineauction.com.
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ABOUT THE NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION
Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. In 2025, Nashville Wine Auction will celebrate Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend on February 20-22 and the 46th Annual l’Eté du Vin on July 24-26 at JW Marriott. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $41 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cutting-edge research, innovative treatment, and family/patient/caregiver support. www.NashvilleWineAuction.com
NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION BENEFICIARIES
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, The Heimerdinger Foundation, HopeKids, Inc., Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville General Hospital Foundation, Survivor Fitness Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.