May 15, 2026 (Nashville, TN) — Nashville Wine Auction is now accepting applications for the 3rd Annual Somm Showdown, an exciting live competition showcasing skilled and passionate Tennessee sommeliers. Contestants will face off on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at GEODIS Park.
The Somm Showdown engages sommeliers, chefs and guests in a celebration of wine knowledge, skill, and service. In front of a live audience of over 100 wine lovers, contestants will pair wines with a dish created by an assigned local chef, test their knowledge under pressure, and demonstrate blind tasting skills, all for a chance to win up to $2,000 toward continued wine education.
“The Somm Showdown is our most engaging event — providing an opportunity for talented sommeliers to show their knowledge and wine-loving guests to play along, while local chefs share their culinary skills,” Nashville Wine Auction President and CEO Loren Chumley says. “It’s exciting to bring back the Somm Showdown this year.”
Celebrating the growing talent and community of local sommeliers, the Somm Showdown challenges six contestants to go head-to-head in a three-part, judged event:
- Round 1: A wine and food pairing contest – 6 contestants will participate; the 4 contestants with the most points for best pairing will move to the second component.
- Round 2: A wine theory and knowledge test that will be conducted in a Jeopardy style format – The top 4 contestants from round one will participate. The 2 contestants with the most points after the event will move on to the final component.
- Round 3: A blind tasting of two to three dry wines – the contestants must analyze, describe and identify the wine by grape, country, region and vintage.
Applications are open now to sommeliers and wine professionals who are 21 or older, live in Tennessee, and have at least three years of experience in the wine or hospitality industry. Full eligibility details and the application form can be found at: nashvillewineauction.com.
“What a way to spend a Sunday! Connecting with the Nashville wine community and challenging yourself to grow as a sommelier all in support of cancer research—it’s a great chance to bring awareness all around,” LeeAnne Arnold, CMS Certified Sommelier, General Manager of Harvest Wine Market and winner of the 2nd Annual Somm Showdown, says.
Last year, Arnold received a $2,000 cash prize to go toward continuing her wine education. She used the funds to support examination fees for the Court of Master Sommeliers-Advanced Theory Exam in early 2026, as well as a brief trip to Europe in February to visit the Douro Valley in Portugal and attend WineParis.
“For those who are hesitant to apply, don’t be! It’s fun, even if it is nerve wracking. Make sure you taste your dish with the wines and connect with your chef,” Arnold says. “Getting through the first round is the hardest part…once you’re through round one, you’re back in control with your theory knowledge and blind tasting. You can do this.”
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges from the wine, food, and hospitality world — including returning 2025 champion LeeAnne Arnold — in tandem with audience votes from guests tasting along with the competition.
Limited tickets for the Somm Showdown will be available through the 47th Annual l’Eté du Vin Auction, Nashville Wine Auction’s signature fundraiser supporting organizations whose missions directly impact the fight against cancer. Tickets go on sale when the l’Eté du Vin Silent Auction goes live on Tuesday, July 28. Register for the 47th Annual l’Eté du Vin here to bid online or call the office to reserve your seat.
In addition to recruiting contestants, sponsorship opportunities are now available. Local businesses can support wine education and fund the fight against cancer while enjoying premium brand visibility. To learn more about sponsorships, visit: nashvillewineauction.com.
ABOUT THE NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION
Nashville Wine Auction’s mission is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. In 2026, Nashville Wine Auction will celebrate Pairings: Nashville’s Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend on February 26 – 28 and the 47th Annual l’Eté du Vin on July 30 – August 1 at JW Marriott. Established in 1980, the Nashville Wine Auction has raised more than $44 million for organizations whose purpose is directly related to cutting-edge research, innovative treatment, and family/patient/caregiver support. www.NashvilleWineAuction.com
NASHVILLE WINE AUCTION BENEFICIARIES
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, Blood Cancer United, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, The Heimerdinger Foundation, HopeKids, Inc.
Nashville General Hospital Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Middle Tennessee, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Survivor Fitness Foundation, Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition, and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
