Rudd Round Table 2025
DATE: March 2 - 3, 2025
LOCATION: Napa Valley, California
SPONSOR: The Rudd Estate & Rudd Foundation
DEADLINE: Decembter 1st, 2024 at 11:00 pm PST
We invite you to apply for the Rudd Round Table taking place March 2nd-3rd, 2025, SommFoundation’s most prestigious annual event.
The Rudd Round Table was founded in 2009, through a collaboration with Leslie Rudd, the Rudd Foundation, and SommFoundation. The event is a two-day educational and mentorship program for twelve of the top aspiring Master Sommeliers in the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, during which attendees will experience an intensive and intimate learning environment guided by Master Sommeliers in panels, group discussions, and one-on-one formats.
Each calendar year, the top scorers of the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Exams are named the Rudd Scholars for that year and attend the Rudd Round Table the following March. In addition to the Rudd Scholars, nine students will be selected to participate. We invite all eligible students to apply. All applicants are required to provide two letters of recommendation. Our SommFoundation team will select the final participants through a rigorous vetting process. Being chosen to attend this event is a recognition of both significant accomplishment and remarkable potential.
Event Details:
This event begins Sunday afternoon and runs through the late evening on Monday. The event kicks off with a private tour of Rudd Estate, followed by a blind tasting of benchmark wines (to be revealed later). Sunday reception and dinner will be hosted by Samantha Rudd at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena, featuring wines from Rudd Estate. Monday is a full-day intensive series of working sessions focused on theory, tasting and service, and the business of wine, including one-on-one Master Sommelier coaching sessions. Monday night, SommFoundation will host a formal dinner and awards ceremony, where the Leslie Rudd Award will be presented to the top Advanced Sommelier Exam scorer among the Rudd Scholars. Airfare, on the ground transportation, lodging, and meals are included.
Eligibility:
Must work and reside in the United States, Canada, or Mexico
Prior completion of the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Sommelier Exam (this will be verified with CMS)
Intention to sit for the Court of Master Sommeliers Master Sommelier Diploma
Availability and commitment to attend the entire event. Students will arrive in Napa no later than 3pm, March 2nd, attend all day on the 3rd, returning home on the 4th.
All students will also be required to sign the following standard forms: Code of Conduct, Publicity Consent, Waiver of Liability.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: DECEMBER 1st, 2024 at 11:00 pm PST
