Sotiris Neofytidis

The Climb

Before the recognition, Sotiris Neofytidis worked as a waiter, learning service from the floor rather than the lecture room. The move from waiter to Master Sommelier points to a career assembled through repetition and control, with each step reinforcing the same discipline the trade requires.

Today

At ACANE in Limassol, Sotiris Neofytidis serves as Wine Director, a role centered on the structure around each glass as much as the pour itself. He describes sommeliers as the “chefs” of the wine world, saying they design wine lists, tasting flights, and curated experiences that give guests pleasure and discovery in the same way chefs do through dishes. The comparison is useful because it treats wine service as an act of composition: balance, selection, and hospitality working together rather than separately.

In Their Words “I see sommeliers as the “chefs” of the wine world. Just as chefs create dishes that bring joy to their guests, sommeliers design wine lists, tasting flights, and curated experiences that provide the same level of pleasure and discovery.” “Consistency is everything. Stay disciplined, never lose focus, and always listen carefully to the feedback of Master Sommeliers.”

Recognition

Sotiris's honors include 10th place in The Best Sommelier of the World, Best Sommelier of Cyprus (2022), Best Sommelier of the Balkans (2022), and Best Young Sommelier of Cyprus (2016). Taken together, these accolades map a career that has moved from early promise to wider distinction, each title reinforcing the same central qualities: discipline, focus, and an enduring commitment to the craft of wine.