Sommelier Showdown: New York City
Celebrate the art of food & wine pairing, through the lens of some of the industries finest wine professionals.
THE EVENT: Two leading Sommeliers compete to pair the perfect wine with each course at a decadent 4-course dinner. You vote to pick the winner, who proceeds to the final showdown.
WHERE: Leonetta Restaurant, on the corner of 31st and Lexington Avenue.
THE DINNER: Reception with amuse bouche, 4-course dinner, and 9 beautiful wines.
WHEN: Round 1 March 18th, Round 2 April 7th, The Final Showdown April 28th, 2026
$250 USD per person plus tax and gratuity
THE SHOWDOWN
The sommelier’s mission is to pair the perfect wine with each of the 4 courses designed by Leonetta Culinary Director Ed Cotton. Your mission is to be the judge. Using your smartphone you will vote for whichever wine you felt paired best with the dish. The votes will be tallied, culminating in a winner. The winning Sommelier from each of the first two dinners will proceed to the showdown on April 28, 2026, where the final winner will be crowned.
THE DINNER
At 6 pm we begin with a reception of bubbly and amuse bouche. The 4-course dinner will begin at 6.30 p.m. with introductions to each Sommelier and the Chef. Leonetta is one of the finest restaurants in New York City with oustanding mediterrenean food and an elegant yet comfortable vibe. Come and meet other food and wine lovers at this exceptional celebration of food and wine.
New York City Dates
NEW YORK CITY
March 18, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
NEW YORK CITY
April 7, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
Tickets available soon
NEW YORK CITY
April 28, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
Tickets available soon
ABOUT SOMMELIER SHOWDOWN
The Venue
Leonetta
Sourcing the best seasonal ingredients, pairing them with traditional methods, and adding a modern twist, combined with an elegant yet cozy setting right in the heart of downtown Manhattan. It is located on 181 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10016.
The Food
The night begins with a pre-dinner reception, with sparkling wine and amuse bouche. A 4-course dinner is then served showcasing the Chef’s talents. We cannot accommodate allergies because everyone needs to taste the exact same food and wine for the votes to be fair.
The Wine
You will enjoy 9 different wines during the evening. There are two different wines served blind with each course, wine A and B. You pick and vote for your favourite. The wines are revealed after each course and the Sommelier who picked the winning wine explains their choice.
The Format
Doors open at 6 p.m. for a reception. Enjoy some canapés and bubbly while you mingle with other guests. At 6.30 pm you will be seated and introduced to the event and the two competing Sommeliers. With each course two wines are served blind. Simply pick the wine that paired best with the dish and vote. Then all will be revealed!
The Finale
At the final event on April 28, 2026, the winners of the first two events will compete for the crown in the grand finale of the Sommelier Showdown New York City.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All sales are final and non-refundable but you can transfer your booking to someone else for free. Just give us the new names for our reservation list. We cannot accommodate allergies as everyone needs to taste the exact same food and wine for the votes to be fair.
MEET YOUR sommeliers
Our Sommelier Showdowns feature some of the top sommeliers in New York City. The sommeliers will be announced soon.
NEW YORK CITY
March 18, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
NEW YORK CITY
April 7, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
Tickets available soon
NEW YORK CITY
April 28, 2026
$250 per person plus taxes and gratuities
Tickets available soon
