From Bali to Lisbon: Our Head of Sommelier at the Best Sommelier of the World 2026

On October 12th-16th, 66 sommeliers arrived in Lisbon, each one representing their country. They had trained for years for a single title: Best Sommelier of the World.

One of them came from Bali.

Dewa Putu Satrya, our Head of Sommelier at Go Drinks and Winetobe, represented Indonesia at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026. This was the 18th edition of the contest, run by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).



What the Best Sommelier of the World Is Really Like

Forget the image of someone sniffing a glass and naming the vintage. This competition tests everything a sommelier does: theory, blind tasting, and live service, with judges watching how you look after a guest under pressure.

The field narrows fast:
• Quarterfinals: two days of tests for all 66 candidates
• Semi-final: 20 sommeliers
• Final: 3 sommeliers, on stage at Lisbon’s historic Coliseu dos Recreios in front of a live audience

Dewa took his place among the world’s elite, competing glass for glass against 65 of the finest sommeliers on the planet, each one already the champion of their own country.

The title went to Norway’s Nikolai Haram Svorte, on his first attempt. France’s Pascaline Lepeltier finished second and Japan’s Wataru Iwata third.

Why It Matters to Us

Indonesia isn’t the first country people think of when it comes to wine. That’s exactly why seeing an Indonesian sommelier compete alongside the best from France, Japan and Norway means so much.

It matters closer to home, too. The same palate that took him to Lisbon is behind the bottles you order on a random Tuesday night.

→ [Browse the wines our team picked] 

Want to Taste Like a Pro?

You don’t need to compete in Lisbon to taste like a sommelier.

Dewa also helps teach the WSET courses at Winetobe, right here in Bali. WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) is one of the most widely recognised wine qualifications in the world.

New to wine? WSET Level 1 is a [two-day] course covering the main styles of wine and how to describe what’s in your glass, with a certificate at the end.
→ [Join WSET Level 1] 

Already know the basics? WSET Level 2 goes deeper into grape varieties, regions and the styles they produce.
→ [Explore WSET Level 2] 

Thank you

To everyone who cheered Dewa on, from Bali to Lisbon: thank you.

We’re proud. And we’re already looking forward to the next one.



Browse the full selection at godrinks.com

#GoDrinks #Bali #WineDelivery #BaliLife #Sommelier


Sources:
ASI: Candidates, Best Sommelier of the World 2026 : https://www.asi.info/contests/best-sommelier-of-the-world-2026/candidates/
Decanter: Nikolai Haram Svorte crowned ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026 : https://www.decanter.com/wine/norways-nikolai-haram-svorte-crowned-asi-best-sommelier-of-the-world-2026/
Winetobe Educators : https://winetobebali.com/educator