Record Number Earn Master Sommelier Diploma; Eleven Wine Professionals Awarded Master Sommelier Title

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2005--The Court of Master Sommeliers has awarded a record-setting eleven wine professionals the internationally recognized title of Master Sommelier at its 2005 examination held February 21-24 in San Francisco, CA. The examination results were announced February 24 at a Champagne Krug sponsored reception, where Master Sommeliers honored the newly inducted members: Darius Allyn, Serafin Alvarado, Randall Bertao, Shayn Bjornholm, Brian Cronin, Alan Murray, Reggie Narito, Peter Neptune, Guy Stout, Roberto Viernes and Laura Williamson.

"Members of the Court are delighted to welcome these eleven wine professionals of such high caliber to the organization. They each displayed exemplary knowledge and skill that will no doubt add to the Court's expanding future and to the service industry. Along with the exam's amazing record-setting pass rate, having the opportunity to award Shayn Bjornholm the prestigious Krug Cup was an added bonus," said Wayne Belding, Chairman of the American Chapter of the Court of Master Sommeliers. "We also applaud all of the candidates who attempted this rigorous last stage of the Master Sommelier program."

“We also applaud all of the candidates who attempted this rigorous last stage of the Master Sommelier program.”

Shayn Bjornholm, Wine Director at Canlis Restaurant in Seattle, was awarded the coveted Krug Cup, which is given to the single highest scoring candidate who passes all three portions of the Masters Exam in the first attempt. "Winning the Krug Cup is otherworldly," Bjornholm said. "When I was welcomed into the exclusive society of Master Sommeliers, I was told I would drink, learn and teach great wine while growing old with them. I look forward to the lifelong journey with the Court, and my immediate reaction to this honor is to use my new position as a springboard to fine wine service for myself, Seattle and Canlis Restaurant."

The ten other candidates who passed include: Darius Allyn, with Nevada Wine Agent in Las Vegas, NV; Serafin Alvarado, with Charlie Trotter's in Chicago, IL; Randall Bertao at Parcel 104 @ The Santa Clara Marriott Hotel, in Santa Clara, CA; Brian Cronin of Gary Danko in San Francisco, CA; Alan Murray, with Masa's in San Francisco, CA; Reggie Narito, with Southern Wine & Spirits in San Jose, CA; Peter Neptune, with the Henry Wine Group in Newport Beach, CA; Guy Stout, with Glazer's Distributors in Houston, TX; Roberto Viernes with Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii in Honolulu, HI; and Laura Williamson, with the Boulder Wine Merchant in Boulder, CO.

Forty-two candidates participated in the February 21-24 exam, which is administered in three sections: Theory, Tasting and Practical Service. Passing scores in each of the three sections are required to earn the Master Sommelier Diploma. There are now 73 professionals who hold the title Master Sommelier in North America, including the recent addition of Canadian John Szabo, who became a member of the American Chapter in January. Of the North American Master Sommeliers, 60 are men and 13 are women.

The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in England in 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage knowledge and service in hotels and restaurants. The title Master Sommelier marks the highest recognition of wine and spirits knowledge, beverage service abilities, and professionalism in the hospitality trade. Education was then, and remains today, the Court's charter. There are three stages involved in attaining the top qualifications of Master Sommelier: 1.) Introductory Sommelier Course; 2.) Advanced Sommelier Course; and 3.) Master Sommelier Diploma.

To learn more about the Court of Master Sommeliers, please call or write:

                    The Court of Master Sommeliers
                         1200 Jefferson Street
                            Napa, CA 94559
                          Phone [phone]
                           Fax: [phone]
       E-mail: [e-mail]       www.mastersommeliers.org