January 27th – CHICAGO – WineRival, formerly Somm Madness, a competition-based wine event founded in Chicago, is pleased to announce that it will be produced as a six-show reality television series by Los Angeles-based Deviants Media, Inc. “WineRival is precisely the show the wine industry, and the world, has been waiting for.” Ivan Dudynsky – Director
Deviants Media was founded by Ivan Dudynsky of NBC’s Songland, Hollywood Game Night, Netflix Bake Squad & Best in Fashion, iHeart Radio Jingle Balls, Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner on VH+1, and is in connection with Audrey Morrisey, the Emmy Award winning producer of NBC’s The Voice. Television production is set to begin in April with an anticipated airdate slated for November 2023.
WineRival is a high-intensity bracket-style competition featuring the art of blind wine tasting. The satellite tournaments consist of 32 contestants going head-to-head with $2,500 prizes awarded to the winners. The final four finalists in each tournament gain entry to compete for the grand prize of $25,000 at the championship tournament alongside a field of 64 competitors in Chicago, slated for production in October 2023. The satellite tournaments will be held across the country in Los Angeles, Napa/Sonoma, and New York. “The energy and enthusiasm WineRival competitors bring to the screen will be like nothing you’ve ever seen.” Deviants Media
WineRival creator, Adam Sweders will host the reality series alongside Fabio Viviani of Top Chef, DLynn Proctor from the Somm movies, The Wine Show’s Ameila Singer, Food & Wine’s Somm of the Year Jon McDaniel, and wine educator and author, John Laloganes as co-hosts and competition judges.
About WineRival
WineRival, formerly Somm Madness, brings together the nation’s wine and sommelier community along with wine enthusiasts for a blind-tasting tournament unlike any other. Sixty-four individuals will go head-to-head to advance to the championship round with the ultimate hope of taking home the grand prize. For more information visit WineRival.com and follow @winerival_official on Instagram.
