The sixth edition of the ASI Bootcamp welcomed 48 sommeliers from more than 20 countries to São Paulo, Brazil, for three days of intensive education, tasting, and international exchange. Co-organised by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) and the Associação Brasileira de Sommeliers, the event marked the second ASI Bootcamp dedicated to the Americas and the first edition to be hosted in Brazil.

Since its launch in 2021, the ASI Bootcamp has established itself as one of ASI's flagship educational initiatives, bringing together promising young professionals with some of the world's most respected sommeliers, educators, and hospitality experts. The programme is designed to provide participants with access to high-level knowledge, practical skills, and an international network that will support their professional development throughout their careers.

Throughout the week, participants learned from an exceptional international faculty through a combination of masterclasses, guided tastings, blind tasting workshops, and interactive discussions. The programme was led by Bootcamp Content Co-Directors Sören Polonius and Marc Almert, joined by tutors Isa Bal MS (Best Sommelier of Europe 2008), Emily Wines MS, Doug Frost MW MS, Pauline Vicard, and Nathan Keffer. Together, the tutors delivered a curriculum reflecting the breadth of today's beverage world, with sessions dedicated to wine, health and moderation, trends in the spirits world, beer fermentations, service masterclasses on sparkling wine and decanting, preparing for competitions and business of the sommelier.

The programme was further enriched by the contribution of ASI's international partners, whose commitment to education and knowledge sharing remains a cornerstone of the Bootcamp experience. Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, Graham's Port, AdVini with Domaine Laroche, Vinhos Verdes, Wines of Brazil, Stoelzle Lausitz, Perlage Water, and Underberg Brasil supported the programme through specialised masterclasses, as well as by providing wines, spirits, water, and glassware that enhanced every element of the educational journey.

Every masterclass was accompanied by a carefully curated tasting served in premium glassware, while dedicated blind tasting workshops allowed participants to refine one of the profession's most essential skills under the guidance of leading international experts.

For Bootcamp Director Piotr Kamecki, the greatest value of the initiative lies not only in the knowledge shared, but in the community it creates.

"There is a great deal of talk today about a shortage of people willing to work. The ASI Bootcamp showed the other side of that conversation: there are ambitious, talented and highly motivated people. They need the right conditions to learn, access to the best in the field and relationships that allow them to develop."

Reflecting on the experience in São Paulo, Piotr highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for knowledge exchange across borders:

"Participants from Peru, Panama or Venezuela did not come for another certificate to add to their collection, but for knowledge they could take back to their restaurants, associations, teams and local communities. After the programme ended, the conversations continued. The WhatsApp group took on a life of its own, with participants sharing contacts, recommendations and opportunities. That is one of the most practical and lasting outcomes of the ASI Bootcamp."

Beyond the classroom, the Bootcamp fostered cultural exchange and professional connections that will continue long after the final tasting. From the "Bring Your Own Bottle" evening, where participants shared wines representing their home countries and regions, to collaborative tasting sessions and informal discussions, every element of the programme reflected ASI's commitment to learning through dialogue, diversity, and shared experience.

The success of ASI Bootcamp Americas 2026 was made possible through the dedication of the ASI Bootcamp organising team, led by Bootcamp Director Piotr Kamecki, together with Sören Polonius and Marc Almert as Content Co-Directors, Kim Thygesen Danielsen overseeing logistics and volunteers, and Xeniya Volosnikova coordinating partnerships, communications, photography, and video. The ASI volunteers supporting the event also played an essential role in ensuring a seamless experience for participants, tutors, and partners.

ASI extends its sincere gratitude to the Associação Brasileira de Sommeliers for its hospitality, local expertise, and collaboration in hosting this landmark edition. Special recognition goes to Danio Braga, President of ABS, Julio Cezar Kunz, Vice President of ABS, Vivian Ribeiro from ABS-SP, and the entire ABS-SP organising team and volunteers, whose dedication and support were instrumental in bringing the ASI Bootcamp to Brazil for the first time. The partnership between ASI and ABS created a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and the celebration of Brazil’s vibrant wine and hospitality culture. The partnership between ASI and ABS brought the Bootcamp to Brazil for the first time, creating a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and the celebration of the country's vibrant wine and hospitality culture.

As the sixth edition concludes, participants return home with new knowledge, stronger international networks, and renewed inspiration to contribute to the development of sommellerie in their own countries. The ASI Bootcamp continues to demonstrate the importance of investing in education, collaboration, and the future leaders of the global hospitality profession.