Elevate Your Hospitality
Championship wine programmes, training, and private experiences for New Zealand's finest venues.
Two-Time Best Sommelier of New Zealand · ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide · First Nepali ASI Sommelier
Credentials
Two-Time Champion
Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2024 & 2025
Global Recognition
ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide
Inspiration Award
Top 100 Sommeliers Edit NZ 2025
Star Wine List
International Bronze Star 2025-26
Premium Wine Solutions
Comprehensive sommelier services designed to elevate your venue's wine offering and guest experience.
Wine Programme Design
Curated wine lists that drive revenue and delight guests.
- Strategic list architecture
- Supplier negotiations
- Cost optimisation
- Seasonal updates
Staff Training
Transform your team into confident wine ambassadors.
- Interactive workshops
- Service excellence
- Tasting techniques
- Sales skills
Guest Experiences
Unforgettable wine events for your clientele.
- Wine dinners
- Masterclasses
- Private tastings
- Producer collaborations
Experience & Standing
Bridging Eastern cuisine with Western wine traditions, bringing a globally informed perspective to New Zealand's hospitality industry.
Luxury Hotel Sommelier
Hotel Sommelier, Park Hyatt Auckland
Asia Pacific Stage
NZ Representative, ASI Best Sommelier of Asia Pacific 2025
World Stage
Volunteer, Contest Team, ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026, Lisbon
As Featured In
Ready to Transform Your Wine Programme?
Let's discuss how championship-level wine expertise can elevate your venue.
Request a ProposalServices
Championship-Level Wine Programmes for New Zealand's Finest Venues
As a Two-Time Best Sommelier of New Zealand and one of the ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide, I partner with luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, and discerning private clients to transform their wine experiences. My programmes are built to deliver measurable outcomes: increased wine revenue, elevated guest satisfaction, and staff who recommend with genuine confidence.
Every engagement is bespoke. Investment is shared via tailored proposal following our discovery call.
Available for International Consulting Partnerships
Open to international consulting partnerships, bringing championship-level wine expertise to luxury hotels and resorts across South Asia and Southeast Asia, while continuing to work with New Zealand's finest venues. Particularly interested in masterclasses, brand collaborations, project-based consulting, and speaking engagements.
Wine Programme Partnership
Minimum 6-month commitment | Championship-level expertise
Ongoing championship-level wine curation and staff development for multi-outlet venues.
What You Get:
- Quarterly Wine List Refresh: Seasonal updates across all outlets with current vintages, market trends, and profit optimisation
- Monthly Staff Training: Structured sessions covering service techniques, wine knowledge, upselling strategies, and blind tasting practice
- Unlimited Consultation Access: Email and phone support for menu pairings, supplier questions, and special requests
- VIP Guest Service: Personal sommelier service for your most important guests
- Rare Wine Access: First allocation rights to limited releases and sought-after bottles through a global supplier network
- Quarterly Performance Analysis: Sales data review, staff progress tracking, and strategic recommendations
Expected Results:
A well-structured wine programme can drive meaningful gains in wine revenue, alongside improvements in guest satisfaction and staff confidence. Actual results vary by venue.
Best For:
- → Luxury hotels with multiple F&B outlets
- → Established fine dining restaurants
- → Venues committed to wine programme excellence
- → Properties seeking championship-level expertise without full-time sommelier costs
Private Sommelier Services
Bespoke quotation based on event scale and complexity
Championship sommelier service for luxury corporate events, private dinners, and VIP entertaining.
What's Included:
- Pre-Event Consultation: Discovery call to understand your guests, preferences, budget, and event goals
- Custom Wine Selection: Curated wine list tailored to your menu, guest profiles, and occasion
- Wine Procurement: Sourcing, ordering, and coordinated delivery through trusted supplier networks
- On-Site Service: Professional wine service, guest education, and pairing explanations
- Presentation Materials: Custom pairing notes, wine menu cards, or tasting sheets (if requested)
- Post-Event Follow-Up: Recommendations for future events and access to purchase featured wines
Why Clients Choose This:
Your guests remember experiences, not just food. A championship sommelier elevates your event from "nice dinner" to "unforgettable evening." Perfect for impressing clients, celebrating milestones, or creating genuine wow moments.
Ideal For:
- → Corporate entertaining & client hospitality
- → Luxury private dinners (8 to 40 guests)
- → Product launches & brand experiences
- → Yacht charters & superyacht events
- → Anniversary celebrations & milestone events
Booking: Minimum 3 weeks notice preferred for optimal wine sourcing
Request Event ProposalWine List Transformation
Two-phase engagement | Transformation followed by ongoing partnership
Complete wine programme overhaul for new openings, rebrands, or struggling wine programmes requiring expert rescue.
Phase 1: Transformation (Weeks 1 to 10)
- Complete Wine Programme Audit: Current list analysis, sales data review, cost structure assessment, competitive positioning
- Market Strategy Development: Define your wine programme's unique positioning in Auckland's competitive landscape
- New Wine List Design: Comprehensive selection across all categories with optimal pricing architecture
- Supplier Negotiations: Leverage established relationships to secure better terms, exclusive allocations, improved margins
- Profit Margin Optimisation: Strategic pricing that balances competitiveness with profitability
- Staff Training Curriculum: Intensive sessions covering every bottle on your new list
- POS System Integration: Support for updating your system with new SKUs, pricing, inventory management
- Launch Support: On-site presence during first week, troubleshooting, and staff coaching
Phase 2: Ongoing Partnership (Month 3 Onward)
After transformation, we transition into ongoing partnership covering:
- Monthly wine list optimisation and seasonal updates
- Structured monthly staff training
- Unlimited consultation access
- VIP guest service for your most important diners
- Quarterly performance reviews with data-driven recommendations
Investment Payback:
A successful transformation aims to pay for itself over time through improved margins, reduced waste, and increased wine sales. Timeframes and outcomes vary by venue.
Perfect For:
- → New restaurant or hotel openings
- → Complete rebrand or concept change
- → Underperforming wine programmes (low sales, high waste, staff confusion)
- → Ownership changes requiring fresh expertise
- → Venues ready to compete at championship level
Engagement options: Annual prepayment available with preferential terms.
Request Transformation Proposal
How We Work Together
Discovery Call
30-minute complimentary consultation to discuss your venue, current challenges, and goals. I'll assess if we're the right fit.
Custom Proposal
Within two business days, you'll receive a tailored proposal with specific deliverables, timeline, and a quotation aligned to your scope.
Onboarding
Week 1: Wine programme audit, staff interviews, current list analysis. We establish baseline metrics and success criteria.
Transformation
Ongoing: Monthly wine list updates, staff training sessions, VIP service, and continuous optimisation based on performance data.
Additional Services
Need something specific? All services available individually, pricing tailored to your scope.
Complete analysis of your current wine programme with redesigned list, pricing optimisation, and implementation roadmap, perfect for venues wanting a refresh without full transformation.
Custom pairing framework for your menu, from classical European cuisines to diverse cultural offerings. Includes staff training guide and guest-facing pairing notes (Nepali, Asian fusion, Pacific Rim, Mediterranean, and more).
Focused workshop on any wine topic. Designed around your team's level and your venue's specific needs.
Private sommelier for your event, pricing depends on guest count, complexity, and wine selection.
Comprehensive review with actionable recommendations, strategic analysis without a full redesign.
Custom wine pairings for your seasonal or special menu.
A no-obligation conversation to understand your venue, your goals, and the right solution for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is your pricing structured?
Every venue and event is different, so every proposal is tailored. After our discovery call, you'll receive a custom proposal outlining scope, deliverables, timeline, and investment. As a Two-Time Best Sommelier of New Zealand and one of the ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide, my engagements are positioned at the championship tier, reflecting world-class expertise, measurable ROI, and the level of curation expected by luxury hospitality clients.
Can you work with venues outside Auckland?
Yes, I accept projects throughout New Zealand and selectively internationally. For venues outside Auckland, we adjust the model to accommodate travel, typically with periodic on-site visits combined with remote consultation between visits. Get in touch to discuss logistics for your location.
What if we're not sure which service package fits our needs?
That's exactly what the free discovery call is for. I'll ask about your venue size, current wine programme, goals, and budget, then recommend the best fit. Most clients start with Wine Programme Partnership if they have an existing list, or Wine List Transformation if they're new or need a complete overhaul.
How quickly can you start?
I selectively take on new partnership clients to ensure championship-level attention to each engagement. Onboarding typically begins within 2 to 3 weeks of signed agreement, depending on your timeline and current commitments. For urgent projects (new openings with fixed dates), faster starts can often be accommodated.
Do you offer any guarantees?
While I can't guarantee specific revenue increases (too many variables), I do guarantee the deliverables: you'll receive every training session, wine list update, and consultation outlined in your service agreement. If you're not satisfied after 90 days, we'll discuss adjustments or part ways professionally, though this has never happened with a committed partner.
Can you help with our suppliers and margins?
Absolutely. Supplier negotiations and margin optimisation are core components of my Wine List Transformation service. I have established relationships with New Zealand's premium wine distributors and can often secure better terms, exclusive allocations, or volume pricing that significantly improves your profitability.
Ready to Elevate Your Wine Programme?
Let's discuss how championship-level wine expertise can transform your venue's guest experience and profitability.
Request a ProposalSelectively accepting new partnership clients for 2027
Education
Signature wine education for teams, venues, and private groups, designed to build confidence, service excellence, and sales performance.
Training Formats
Restaurant & Hotel Teams
Structured sessions for FOH teams, sommeliers, and managers, from fundamentals to advanced service, pairing, and upselling.
- Core wine knowledge
- Service standards & guest journey
- Pairing frameworks & menu language
- Confident recommendations & sales
Luxury Experiences & Masterclasses
Curated masterclasses for VIP clients, private groups, and corporate hospitality, engaging, story-led, and premium.
- Champagne & sparkling masterclasses
- Burgundy and classics deep-dives
- Blind tasting workshops
- Theme nights for brands & venues
One-to-One Coaching
Personal coaching for sommeliers and hospitality professionals preparing for exams, competitions, or career progression.
- Tasting grid practice
- Service role-play and timing
- Theory study plans
- Competition preparation strategy
How It Works
- Brief: You share your venue goals, team level, and timeframes.
- Plan: I design a tailored training roadmap and session outline.
- Deliver: In-person or hybrid sessions with practical tools your team can use immediately.
- Support: Optional follow-up coaching, refreshers, and wine list alignment.
Sommelier Exam Preparation & Study Resources
Professional wine education built from championship-level experience and real-world expertise.
Vinum Apex: Sommelier Flashcard System
A comprehensive, exam-focused study system covering wine regions, spirits, sake, fortified wines, and food & wine pairing. Designed by a two-time Best Sommelier of New Zealand and one of the ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide.
Built for Serious Candidates
This system reflects the same rigorous preparation used in international sommelier competitions. It’s designed for professionals who understand that excellence requires both depth of knowledge and strategic study methods.
Whether you’re preparing for certification or deepening your expertise, these resources distill years of competition experience into a focused, practical study tool.
Register your interest for early access
Be the first to know when Vinum Apex and the upcoming wine book launch. No spam, just a note when they’re ready.
About This Resource
Created by Suraj GC, two-time Best Sommelier of New Zealand (2024 & 2025), ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide, and Hotel Sommelier at Park Hyatt Auckland. This system represents the study methodology that has driven success at the highest levels of sommelier competition.
The First Nepali Wine Book
A bilingual English/Nepali guide to the world of wine, the first of its kind, planned for release in 2027-2028. Designed to make wine knowledge accessible to Nepali-speaking audiences for the first time, while offering a rich resource for global readers curious about wine through a cross-cultural lens.
About Suraj GC
From the Mountains of Pokhara to New Zealand's Finest Tables
The Journey
I'm Suraj GC, Two-Time consecutive Best Sommelier of New Zealand (2024 & 2025), one of the ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide, and the First Nepali ASI Sommelier.
My path from Pokhara, Nepal to representing New Zealand on the global wine stage has been anything but conventional. Today, I bring this perspective, bridging Eastern cuisine with Western wine traditions, to New Zealand's hospitality industry, helping venues create wine programmes that are commercially successful and genuinely memorable for guests.
The Accidental Sommelier
I arrived in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, as an international student studying computer engineering. To support myself, I took a part-time job as a waiter at Elephant Hill Winery Restaurant. I knew nothing about wine. I had never tasted most of the varieties I was being asked to pour. But something happened at that restaurant that changed everything: every bottle I opened made me want to know the story behind the label.
Over five years, I rose from busser to maître d' to restaurant manager. During that time, Elephant Hill was crowned Best Winery Restaurant in New Zealand and awarded Two Hats at the Cuisine Magazine Good Food Awards. Wine had gone from a side interest to the centre of my life. I left engineering behind and never looked back.
From Hawke's Bay to the World Stage
In 2019, I moved to Auckland to take the role of Hotel Sommelier at Park Hyatt Auckland, where I continue to work today across restaurants, events and private occasions.
On the competition stage, the journey accelerated. I won Best Sommelier of New Zealand in 2024 and successfully defended the title in 2025, the first Nepali ever to do so. I represented New Zealand at the Best Sommelier of Asia Pacific 2025 in Kuala Lumpur and at the historic 800th anniversary Battle of the Wines in Chinon, France. In 2025, I received the Inspiration Award in the inaugural Top 100 Sommeliers Edit NZ.
What I Bring to Your Venue:
- Championship Credentials: Two-Time Best Sommelier of New Zealand and ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide, the highest competition pedigree currently active in New Zealand
- Operational Track Record: Years of day-to-day experience running a luxury hotel wine programme, recognised with a Star Wine List International Bronze Star (2025-26)
- Commercial Focus: Wine programmes designed to increase revenue and profitability, not just impress critics
- Global Network: Access to rare wines and international relationships built through ASI competitions and SOMMIT delegations
- Cross-Cultural Expertise: Bridging European wine tradition with Asian, Pacific, and South Asian cuisine, a perspective increasingly valuable in New Zealand's diverse hospitality landscape
- Team Development: Passion for educating and empowering front-line staff to serve with confidence
Achievements & Recognition
Competition & Awards
- Best Sommelier of New Zealand, 2024 & 2025 (back-to-back champion)
- ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide, 2024
- Top 100 Sommeliers Edit NZ 2025, Inspiration Award
- NZ Representative, ASI Best Sommelier of Asia Pacific 2025 (Kuala Lumpur)
- NZ Representative, Battle of the Wines 2024, Chinon, France (800th anniversary edition)
- Volunteer, Contest Team, ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026, Lisbon (part of Team NZ volunteers)
- SOMMIT 2025, New Zealand's exclusive delegate (NZ Winegrowers, Gisborne)
- ASI Sommelier Bootcamp 2022, Malaysia (training under Master Sommeliers and World Champions)
- Star Wine List International Bronze Star, 2025-26
Professional Development
- Advanced Sommelier Candidate, Court of Master Sommeliers
- ASI Diploma Candidate
Industry Standing
- Hotel Sommelier, Park Hyatt Auckland
- Founder, The Mountain Sommelier
- Creator, Vinum Apex (sommelier exam preparation)
- First Nepali ASI Sommelier
The Mountain Sommelier, A Bridge Between Worlds
Under The Mountain Sommelier, I have built a platform dedicated to connecting cultures through wine. I run a weekly wine education series on Instagram and LinkedIn, exploring grape varieties through a Nepali lens and making wine culture accessible to South Asian audiences for the first time.
I love pairing some of the world's finest wines with everyday Nepali and South Asian food. One memorable pairing, a rare bottle of the 007 James Bond edition 2011 Champagne Bollinger with Nepali jhol momo, captured the spirit of this work perfectly: tradition and innovation, side by side, on the same table.
I am currently working on the first-ever bilingual English/Nepali wine guide, planned for release in 2027-2028, opening the world of wine to Nepali-speaking audiences for the first time. Beyond education, I have been in conversation with renowned wineries in New Zealand and France about the potential of high-altitude winemaking in Nepal's mountain terroir, a long-term vision for the region's emerging wine future.
This story has begun to attract recognition beyond New Zealand, including consideration for emerging leadership profiles in Nepal.
What's Next
I am an Advanced Sommelier Candidate with the Court of Master Sommeliers and an ASI Diploma Candidate, two of the most demanding qualifications in the profession and the next steps toward becoming a Master Sommelier.
In October 2026 I volunteered with the Contest Team at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World competition in Lisbon, Portugal, as part of the Team NZ volunteers. It is the largest sommelier event in the world, with over 70 competing countries, and I was the only Nepali sommelier in attendance.
Alongside this, I am building The Mountain Sommelier into a scalable wine education platform for aspiring sommeliers across South Asia and the diaspora, with the long-term goal of helping establish a formal sommelier association in Nepal.
Let's Work Together
Whether you're launching a new venue, revitalising an existing programme, or building a world-class team, I'd love to hear from you.
Request a ProposalGallery
Press & Media
Recognition, Awards & Media Coverage
Recent Highlights
2026: The World Stage
- ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026, Lisbon: Volunteer, Contest Team, as part of the Team NZ volunteers
- Winetopia Auckland 2026: Presenter on the Main Stage and in the Winetopia Kitchen
- Star Wine List: International Bronze Star 2025-26
2025: Historic Back-to-Back Victory
Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2025
In 2025, I successfully defended the Best Sommelier of New Zealand title, the first Nepali ever to do so. This achievement earned the honour of representing New Zealand at the ASI Best Sommelier of Asia Pacific Championship in Kuala Lumpur, and recognition in the inaugural Top 100 Sommeliers Edit NZ with the Inspiration Award.
2024: Breakout Year
- Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2024: First victory in the national championship
- ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide: Global recognition from the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale
- SOMMIT 2025 Invitation: Selected as New Zealand's sole delegate to the world's most exclusive sommelier summit
- Battle of the Wines, Chinon, France: NZ Representative at the historic 800th anniversary edition
Featured In
Selected coverage across New Zealand and international wine and hospitality publications.
Major Publications
Industry Press
Critic Recognition & Rankings
Awards & Accolades
Competition Results
- 2026: ASI Best Sommelier of the World, Lisbon (Volunteer, Contest Team, part of Team NZ volunteers)
- 2025: Best Sommelier of New Zealand (Champion, back-to-back)
- 2025: ASI Best Sommelier of Asia Pacific (NZ Representative, Kuala Lumpur)
- 2024: Best Sommelier of New Zealand (Champion)
- 2024: Battle of the Wines, Chinon, France (NZ Representative, 800th anniversary)
Professional Recognition
- ASI Top 15 Rising Sommeliers Worldwide (2024)
- Top 100 Sommeliers Edit NZ, Inspiration Award (2025)
- SOMMIT 2025 Delegate, New Zealand's exclusive invitation
- ASI Sommelier Bootcamp 2022, Malaysia (training under Master Sommeliers)
- Star Wine List International Bronze Star, 2025-26
Media Enquiries
Available for interviews, guest articles, industry commentary, and selected brand collaborations on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Get in TouchSpeaking & Appearances
Topics regularly covered at industry events, masterclasses, and media interviews include:
- Wine programme development and profitability for luxury hospitality
- Service excellence in fine dining
- Staff training and team development
- Competition preparation for aspiring sommeliers
- Cross-cultural wine pairing, bridging Eastern cuisine with Western wine traditions
- Building diverse, internationally-minded careers in sommellerie
Interested in having me speak at your event? Let's discuss
Winetopia Auckland 2026
Presenter and ambassador, Main Stage and Winetopia Kitchen.
Photo Gallery
Let's Connect
Tell me about your venue, event, or goals. You'll receive a tailored proposal within two business days.
Contact Information
Email: suraj@themountainsommelier.com
Phone: +64 21 077 7414
Based in: Auckland, New Zealand
Available: Projects nationwide & selected international consultancy
International Engagements: Open to consulting partnerships, masterclasses, and speaking engagements across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. If you're a luxury hotel, resort, or hospitality group exploring world-class wine expertise, let's start a conversation.
Brand Collaborations: I partner with a small number of wine, spirits and hospitality brands on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook content where there is a genuine fit. Choose "Brand Collaboration" in the form, or message me on Instagram.
Privacy Policy
How I look after your information
Last updated: November 2026
The Mountain Sommelier is the independent consulting and education practice of Suraj GC, based in Auckland, New Zealand. This policy explains what personal information I collect through this website and how I handle it under the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.
What I collect
When you send a proposal request, I collect the details you choose to give me: your name, email address, phone number, venue name, role, area of interest and message. When you register interest in Vinum Apex or the wine book, I collect your name, email address and which launch you want to hear about.
This website does not use advertising or tracking cookies.
Why I collect it
I use your details only to reply to your enquiry, prepare a proposal you have asked for, or let you know when a product you registered for is available. I do not sell or rent your information, and I do not add you to any other mailing list.
Who else handles it
The forms on this site are processed by Formspree, a form service based in the United States, which passes your submission to my email inbox. My email is hosted by Microsoft 365. The site's fonts are loaded from Google Fonts, which means your browser makes a request to Google when a page loads. These providers may store or process information outside New Zealand.
How long I keep it
I keep enquiry details for as long as needed to respond and to manage any work we do together. Early-access registrations are kept until the product has launched and you have been notified, or until you ask me to remove you.
Your rights
You can ask to see the personal information I hold about you, ask me to correct it, or ask me to delete it. Email suraj@themountainsommelier.com and I will respond as soon as I reasonably can, and within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied with my response, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at privacy.org.nz.
Contact
Suraj GC, The Mountain Sommelier, Auckland, New Zealand
suraj@themountainsommelier.com