The Court of Master SommeliersSommelier · StudyBetaThe Court has trained and examined sommeliers since 1977 — around 1,400 of them every year, in 27 cities. A small number of companies stand beside that work. Their names are below, and there is room for yours.
Thirteen companies stand behind the Court’s education today: Champagne houses, wine estates, a glassmaker, a wine technology company and wine merchants. The last space is yours.
Tomorrow’s decision-makers, tastemakers, and ambassadors for the wines and brands they believe in.
The Court certifies around 1,400 sommeliers every year. In the words of its Chief Executive, partnering with the Court means being seen by thousands of ambitious sommeliers and hospitality professionals who are shaping the future of dining globally — leaders who elevate standards across restaurants, hotels and wine programmes internationally.
Every candidate arrives with at least twelve months of practical hospitality experience, and works through four levels, each of which must be passed before the next. Only Master Sommeliers teach and examine, and only 305 people hold the Master Sommelier Diploma.
Courses run across Europe, Africa, Oceania and Asia.
Your brand, showcased directly to the global sommelier community through logo visibility. These are the places.
Your logo hereA sponsor’s logo is placed prominently on the tasting mat used by every student throughout the course — around 1,400 a year. As each wine is poured and discussed, the logo remains in full view.
Your logo hereDuring the opening presentation of a course, a dedicated sponsors’ page shows the logos of the brands supporting the programme. It reinforces to students that these partners are directly contributing to their educational journey and future careers.
59.4K followers from around the globe
The Court’s Instagram acts as a live news feed, sharing updates on courses and results as they happen in real time.
Students follow to see which of their colleagues have passed, and to browse photographs from past and present courses — a dynamic record of the Court’s global community in action.
The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in the UK in 1977 to encourage the best standard of wine service; only 305 people hold the MS Diploma.
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The Court’s website lists all its courses in Europe and internationally, with dates and venues, and connects students to all of the Court’s learning resources.
The annual prospectus is the Court’s introduction to the wider world: the four levels, the places around the world where the courses run, and a concise history of the Court. It is often the first point of contact for potential students and educational partners.
Every level includes use of its own supporter medal on your own marketing material.
Platinum, Gold and Silver put your logo in the same places. What changes is the size of your logo and the number of brand-related Instagram posts. Each comes in a global form, or for UK courses alone — approximately six or seven a year.
How would you like to support the Court?
Answer the questions above and your suggestion appears here.
| Every course, worldwide | PlatinumExclusive, top-tier visibility worldwide. | GoldPremium positioning at every course. | SilverPremium positioning at every course. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tasting mats | Every course | Every course | Every course |
| Sponsors’ slide | Every opening presentation | Every opening presentation | Every opening presentation |
| Court homepage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Annual prospectus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instagram a year | Three posts | Two posts | One post |
| Supporter medal | Global Platinum | Global Gold | Global Silver |
| Ask about Platinum | Ask about Gold | Ask about Silver |
There are no prices on this page. Tell us which level interests you.
Bronze support can be given as a yearly fee or as goods and services in kind. It includes a small logo on the Court’s homepage and in the annual prospectus, and use of the Bronze Supporter medal on your own marketing material.
Three of the companies already on that wall, on why they are.
As an independent family house, we take a multi-generational view and we partner with organisations that encourage future generations to aspire to excellence. And of course these partnerships give us the opportunity to share Laurent-Perrier champagnes with the decision makers and taste makers of the future.
Recent press, from The Buyer.
Supporters’ fees go directly towards twelve scholarships a year, for students from countries traditionally associated with lower incomes, such as South Africa and India — at the most critical stage of their journey, so that money does not stand in the way of ability and ambition.
Together, we can ensure that passion and talent are never limited by opportunity.
Never has it been more important to attain qualifications that are globally recognised.
By becoming a sponsor, you help keep education accessible to the next generation of Sommeliers from every corner of the world. Many of these young professionals come from modest beginnings, but with the right training they become leaders who elevate standards across restaurants, hotels, and wine programmes internationally.
Partnering with us gives your brand a unique alignment with excellence. You will be seen by thousands of ambitious sommeliers and hospitality professionals who are shaping the future of dining globally. These are tomorrow’s decision-makers, tastemakers, and ambassadors for the wines and brands they believe in.
Together, we can ensure that passion and talent are never limited by opportunity.
Four steps, from the first message to your brand going out.
The form below goes to Ronan Sayburn MS, the Court’s Chief Executive.
The Court discusses partnership by email, by phone or over Zoom.
Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze; every course in the world, or the UK courses alone; money, or goods and services in kind.
Onto the tasting mats and the sponsors’ slide, onto the Court’s homepage and into the annual prospectus, onto Instagram — with use of your supporter medal on your own marketing material.
Nine short questions. It goes to Ronan Sayburn MS, the Court’s Chief Executive, to discuss by email, phone or Zoom.
Or write to him directly: rsayburn@courtofmastersommeliers.org
Everything here is answered by the Court’s own supporter proposal.
The Court certifies around 1,400 sommeliers every year, in 27 cities across 20 countries. The tasting mat is used by every student throughout the course.
On the tasting mats, on the sponsors’ slide in every opening presentation, on the Court’s website homepage and in its annual prospectus — and your brand is mentioned on the Court’s Instagram, once, twice or three times a year depending on your level.
Yes. Platinum, Gold and Silver each come in a global form and a UK form. UK support covers the Court’s UK courses, approximately six or seven a year.
Yes. Bronze support can be given as a yearly fee or as goods or services in kind.
Supporters’ fees go directly towards twelve global scholarships a year, awarded to students from countries traditionally associated with lower incomes, such as South Africa and India.
Every level of support is set by the year.
Only Master Sommeliers teach and examine on the Court’s courses. Only 305 people hold the Master Sommelier Diploma.
Your enquiry goes to Ronan Sayburn MS, the Court’s Chief Executive, to discuss by email, phone or Zoom.
