Vanessa Stoltz, the head sommelier at restaurant Pine in Northumberland, has recently been ranked 45 in a list of the top UK sommeliers.

Importantly, Ms Stoltz was acknowledged as one of five sommeliers to watch and was the only representative from her region.

She discovered her ranking at a recent awards evening at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London.

The honour was bestowed by the second edition of the UK Top 100 Sommeliers.

The Top 100 Sommelier awards is an annual event applauding the skills and achievements of the best in the wine industry.

The nominees are suggested by other sommeliers, individuals within the industry, and diners from across the UK.

An esteemed panel then scrutinises the nominee's experience, academic qualifications, daily duties, and competition performances to determine the rankings.

The 2024 list saw 38 new entrants.

Commenting on the occasion, Angeline Bayly, co-founder of Top 100 Sommeliers, said: "Throughout the interviews we conducted this year, there were an impressive array of highly qualified individuals, some with extraordinary backgrounds as diverse as law, astrophysics, engineering and of course, oenology.

"Being a top sommelier today is a highly qualified, skilled career, and we have the results to prove it."

Ms Stoltz, who joined the Master Court of Sommeliers in 2023, had previously passed her introductory and certified sommelier exams.

She explained: "To be a successful sommelier, you must develop an in-depth knowledge of the subject and keep up to date with emerging trends across the industry.

"In my view, a successful sommelier requires passion, dedication, and hard work, which is something that is all too often underestimated and overlooked."

Sian Byerley, co-owner and restaurant manager at Pine, also expressed pride in Ms Stoltz's achievements: "We're proud of what Vanessa has achieved.

"Lots of hard work, avid studying, and dedication have paid off.

"Her recognition by industry peers is huge and acknowledges her real passion for wine and her expertise.

"All of us look forward to seeing her continue to share her love for the grape in all its forms with our guests as her wine journey continues to unfold."