Rakesh Awaghade
WIA Ambassador
India
Rakesh was born and raised in Mumbai and graduated from a university in London. He is a certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and currently pursuing his advanced Sommelier with the intent to teach, and perhaps becoming a Master Sommelier Designation.
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Professionally, Rakesh has been involved in all aspects of wine management from training to tasting. He has created full wine and beverage programs, worked as a Sommelier, taught wine education, as well as helped build many wine bars and restaurants. Rakesh has worked for Oberoi Hotels, India, one Michelin star Launceston Place, Cinnamon Club & Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill in London.
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Rakesh flourishes when he is connecting with people, and drinking local wines. Rakesh was voted as Best Sommelier in Delhi NCR in 2019. He is the only ambassador for the Champagne Krug Ambassador program in India, a part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and also one of the brand ambassadors for Bergner Europe, Cook & Chef Institute who promotes technological innovation in kitchenware.
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Rakesh hosted ‘The Fine Wine Affair’, a 3-day extravaganza event featuring renowned wines with a series of wine tasting experiences, educational inputs & curated master classes. He was a tutor of WSET Level 2 at Oberoi School of Learning & Development (OCLD) for academic excellence. He has participated in articles on wines for specialist magazines like Sommelier India, Brews & Spirits, Delhi wine club and etc.
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Wine Influencer: @rakesh.ae
Rakesh was one of the 10 mentor’s for the Vinica AgriDiversity program in British Columbia, Canada; helping aspiring BIPOC professionals launch careers in the wine industry.
His philosophy remains that palate calibration is individually based and wine is better judged without a context. It is a completely human experience, not this intangible thing and should be fun every single day.
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Social Media:
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Rakesh‘s Wine Certification/s
Sommelier Certificate
Court of Master Sommeliers
The Court of Master Sommeliers sets the global standard of excellence for beverage service within the hospitality industry with integrity, exemplary knowledge, and humility.
WIA AMBASSADOR
From vineyard to glass. Each wine is a unique experience, and it needs an ambassador to share it with the world. A journey that begins with wine and continues with people.
Leveraging relationships and contributing to creating a great wine community. WIA Ambassadors experience and share a deep understanding and excitement of wine. Bringing wines and vineyards to life in the form of great wines, events, courses, interviews, tasting, photos, videos and more.
Making local wineries global & bringing the wine community around the world to enjoy a life of wine, passion & prosperity.
