Vanessa Stoltz, head sommelier at Pine in Northumberland, features at number nine in the Harper’s sommelier list for 2025 – moving up from 20th in 2024.
The list showcases the rich talent within the UK’s sommelier community and recognises excellence in the sector. The judging process spanned two days and evaluated various factors, including innovation and creativity in wine lists as well as a wide range of skills and activities that enhance the overall drinks offering.
Each nominee was put forward by Harper’s readers and assessed by their peers and contemporaries in the drinks trade. The judges considered nominees’ education and experience, communication skills, innovation, leadership and vision. These criteria played a crucial role in determining the placement of each candidate in the list, which is designed to celebrate the quality and diversity of sommeliers in the UK, rather than simply serving as a ranking system.
Harper’s top 50 acknowledgement remarks: “Being Alsace-born with a father in the industry, it was perhaps inevitable that Stoltz would follow a path of hospitality training, then swapping out her native France for a sommelier role at the Forest Side in the Lake District. Joining friends to open Restaurant Pine in Northumberland allowed Stoltz to fully flourish, creating a list that at once blends clarity, creativity, the eclectic and sustainability, all delivered with friendly illustrations to draw the diner in. Whether teetotal tipples, fine wines or off-piste finds are the order of the day, all sections are given equal consideration and prominence, with a superb by-the-glass selection also encouraging much exploration. The buying ethos here centres on finding wines that will please as many palates as possible, and it shows.”
Vanessa said: “I’m overwhelmed and still struggling to take it in that I’ve been placed at number nine in the Harper’s list. To be recognised on not just one, but two prestigious sommelier lists is truly surreal. I’m absolutely thrilled, and honestly, a little lost for words.”
Sian Byerley, co-owner of Pine, added: “We couldn’t be prouder of Vanessa. Her passion and knowledge shine through in every aspect of her wine service, and her enthusiasm is genuinely infectious. This recognition from her industry peers is a testament to her ongoing journey, and we’re excited to see her go even further in the years ahead.”
