Andrea Balleri, sommelier of the Contini winery in Cabras, was awarded as the best hospitality professional of the year by Solidus - a permanent forum of professional associations in the Italian hotel industry. Balleri, already the best sommelier in Italy in 2013, was awarded the prize by the Associazione Barmen Italiani, which includes a wide range of experts in the beverage sector, including barmen and sommeliers.
The award was presented to Balleri a few days ago during the awards ceremony in Abano Montegrotto Terme. Among the most prestigious awards, the title of Best Sommelier of Tuscany (2009), Best Professional of the Year AIS (2012) and the title of Best Sommelier of Italy (2013) stand out, in addition to fourth place in the WSA Best World Sommelier competition. “Receiving this recognition is an honor that fills me with pride,” commented Balleri. “I dedicate this award to my family, who supports me every day, and to the Contini 1898 team, with whom I share a common vision: to enhance the wine culture of Sardinia and spread a message of authenticity and passion throughout the world. Curiosity and the desire to learn have been the keys to my path, and I hope they can be an inspiration for new generations of professionals.”
