The Best Sommelier of the Great Steppe
An international competition for the title of Best Sommelier of the Great Steppe
The CAWU educational platform brings together leading professionals, international brands, and the professional community. We are shaping a new wine culture of the Great Steppe - structured, competitive, and global.
The CAWU educational platform brings together leading professionals, international brands, and the professional community. We are shaping a new wine culture of the Great Steppe - structured, competitive, and global.
More Than a Competition
The Steppe is not a border, but a space where cultures meet.
The Great Steppe is an international educational and cultural platform — a space where knowledge becomes culture, and the sommelier profession becomes part of the region’s identity.
The project brings together professionals from Central Asia and neighboring countries, creating an international professional horizon.
The project brings together professionals from Central Asia and neighboring countries, creating an international professional horizon.
Our mission
To develop the sommelier profession and the beverage culture of the region by connecting East and West, the local and the global, tradition and modernity.
Main objectives of the project:
Main objectives of the project:
-
To establish an international competition in accordance with global standards. - To strengthen professional connections between the countries of the region.
- To establish a sustainable educational ecosystem within CAWU.
- To make Central Asia and neighboring countries recognized as a wine region.
- To elevate the quality of service and gastronomy.
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT INCLUDE?
The Great Steppe is not just a competition. It is a journey where knowledge becomes culture, and the profession becomes part of the region’s identity.
- -1-Boot
campAn educational intensive program with both theoretical and practical training prior to the competition and evaluation by the judging panel. - -2-Sommelier CompetitionThe best professionals of the industry compete for the title of “The Best Sommelier of the Great Steppe.”
The stages take place in key cities across the region. - -3-WINE
SALONAn open part of the competition where guests, industry professionals, and wine enthusiasts can explore a wide selection of wines from different countries and regions.
How the Competition Takes Place
- 1. Qualifying RoundTheoretical test and blind tasting.
Knowledge, analytical skills, and professional wine evaluation are assessed. - 2. Semi-FinalPractical tasks in service, sales, and food pairing.
Only the best participants advance to the next stage. - 3. FinalA public performance before the audience (working in an improvised restaurant setting), demonstrating the sommelier’s knowledge, taste, and professional skills.
- 4. Wine SalonThe Wine Salon is the open part of the competition, where guests, industry professionals, and wine enthusiasts can discover a wide selection of wines from different countries and regions.
| BOOT CAMP 2026 Starting in 2026, we are expanding the educational component. Online block: The theoretical training is provided in a recorded format. Participants can study at their own pace and prepare in advance. Offline stage is dedicated to practical training: • Service and blind tasting • Approaches to wine description • Working with experts • Partner seminars from international brands Participation fee: 50 EUR |
Wine Salon — the key media highlight of each stage.
WINE SALON is promoted as a standalone cultural event open to a wide audience. It brings together professionals, enthusiasts, and partners, while the layout of the space reflects the philosophy of the competition itself:
— “Global Wines” zone — wines of the world and international brands;
— “Central Asia” zone — local producers, national beverages, and regional gastronomy;
— “Partner Focus” zone — the season’s general partner and its brands.
— “Global Wines” zone — wines of the world and international brands;
— “Central Asia” zone — local producers, national beverages, and regional gastronomy;
— “Partner Focus” zone — the season’s general partner and its brands.
Partnership Presence at a New Level
CAWU offers flexible opportunities for brand integration:
• Online seminars on the CAWU platform
• Content production in collaboration with instructors
• Integration into the Boot Camp program
• Presence in the Wine Salon
• Educational collaborations
• Branding across the competition stages
• For more detailed information, please contact us
Become a Partner • Online seminars on the CAWU platform
• Content production in collaboration with instructors
• Integration into the Boot Camp program
• Presence in the Wine Salon
• Educational collaborations
• Branding across the competition stages
• For more detailed information, please contact us
Competition Schedule 2026
April 29-30, 2026
April 29-30, 2026
Kazakhstan, Astana
May 5-6, 2026
May 5-6, 2026
Mongolia, Ulaan-Bator
June 3-4, 2026
June 3-4, 2026
Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
September 15-16,
2026
September 15-16,
2026
Serbia, Belgrade
September 22-23, 2026
September 22-23, 2026
Croatia, Zagreb
November 4-5,
2026
November 4-5,
2026
Azerbaijan, Baku
November 24-25, 2026
November 24-25, 2026
Uzbekistan, Tashkent
GRAND FINAL
November 26, 2026
GRAND FINAL
November 26, 2026
Uzbekistan, Tashkent
Why you should participate
Participation in The Great Steppe is:
- International Standard of Evaluation
- Public Professional Recognition
- Practical Training through the Boot Camp
- Collaboration with Leading Experts of the Region
- Expanding Your Professional Network
- Access to Brands and Partners
- Professional Development of Wine Specialists
- This is an opportunity to move from the local level to the international stage.
Register Now The Great Steppe
You may register either as a competition partner or as a participant in one of the qualifying stages
Partners of the Astana Stage, Kazakhstan
