Last month more than 200 sommeliers, producers, educators and wine professionals gathered in San Miguel de Allende as the Asociación de Sommeliers Mexicanos (ASM) celebrated International Sommelier Day 2026 with a full programme dedicated to learning, competition and the recognition of excellence within the profession.
Led by Georgina Estrada, President of ASM and Deputy General Director of Vinícola El Cielo, the celebration showcased the strength and continued evolution of Mexican sommellerie through masterclasses, competitions, panel discussions, tastings and awards recognizing some of the country’s most influential wine professionals. The event also highlighted San Miguel de Allende’s growing reputation as one of Mexico’s leading wine and gastronomic destinations.
Manuel Negrete Named Sommelier of the Year 2026
One of the most emotional moments of the celebration came with the presentation of the Sommelier of the Year 2026 award to Manuel Negrete, recognizing his outstanding career, leadership and longstanding contribution to the Mexican sommellerie community.
Accepting the honour, Negrete reflected on the responsibility that accompanies such recognition.
“Receiving this award is a privilege and a great responsibility. I am deeply moved to be here. I am very grateful for the affection and expressions of support, as well as to my family and all the people who have been great mentors throughout my career. Let us continue building community responsibly and working for the good of this industry.”
The award celebrated not only his professional achievements but also his enduring commitment to mentoring future generations of sommeliers and strengthening the profession throughout Mexico.
Exploring the Wines of Guanajuato
The academic programme opened with a masterclass on the wines of Guanajuato, presented by Ramón Vélez, President of Uva y Vino Guanajuato.
The session explored the identity, diversity and rapid evolution of one of Mexico’s most dynamic wine-producing regions while highlighting San Miguel de Allende’s increasing importance as a destination for wine tourism.
José Miguel Jáuregui Wins Title of Best Sommelier of Mexico 2026
The country’s premier competition saw José Miguel Jáuregui earn the title of Best Sommelier of Mexico 2026, securing the opportunity to represent Mexico at the ASI Best Sommelier of the World Contest 2026 in Lisbon.
As part of his preparation for the world championship, Jáuregui will undertake an intensive training programme in Bordeaux, France.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Wine Consumption
A roundtable discussion brought together industry leaders Salomón Abedrop, Luis Valdez, Horacio Núñez, Luis Morones, Sandra Fernández and Carlos Borboa to examine the future of wine consumption around the world.
The panel explored changing consumer behaviour, the evolution of sales channels and the increasingly important role sommeliers play in connecting consumers with wine in an evolving marketplace.
The discussion formed part of Guanajuato Wine Week 2026, which attracted more than 2,660 participants across a programme celebrating wine, gastronomy, culture and tourism.
Celebrating Excellence
Several of Mexico’s leading wine professionals and producers were also honoured during the awards ceremony.
Lourdes Martínez Ojeda, of Bruma in Baja California, received the Winemaker of the Year 2026 award in recognition of her distinguished career and contribution to Mexican wine.
Viñedo San Miguel, located in Comonfort, Guanajuato, was named Winery of the Year 2026, acknowledging its commitment to quality and its role in promoting the wines of Guanajuato.
Discovering Mexican Wine
Throughout the day, guests participated in a walk-around tasting featuring wines from Guanajuato alongside imported labels.
The tasting encouraged direct interaction between producers, sommeliers and consumers, allowing participants to compare styles, discover new wineries and gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and quality of Mexican wines.
Wine Casino Brings the Community Together
The celebration concluded with Wine Casino, an interactive experience combining blind tasting, aroma recognition and wine identification challenges.
Designed to encourage networking and shared learning, the activity reinforced the spirit of collaboration that continues to define the Mexican sommellerie community.
Beyond Wine: Celebrating Mexican Hospitality
Guests also enjoyed an exclusive tasting at Casa Dragones, where Sommelier Sandra Fernández and Chef Donnie Masterton guided participants through pairings featuring Casa Dragones Joven, Reposado and Añejo.
The programme continued with a visit to Viñedo San Miguel, where attendees toured the vineyards and cellar before enjoying dinner among the vines, celebrating Guanajuato’s wines, hospitality and growing international profile.
The International Sommelier Day celebrations concluded with a closing lunch at Hotel Amatte, providing one final opportunity for sommeliers, producers and partners to strengthen friendships and celebrate the community that continues to drive the development of Mexican wine culture.
Through education, competition and recognition, ASM once again demonstrated that International Sommelier Day is not only a celebration of the profession, but also of the people whose passion and dedication continue to elevate sommellerie in Mexico and beyond.
