Do You Have the Best Palate in South Australia? The Search for the SAWOL 2026 Champion Begins

Septimus is proud to introduce the South Australian Wine Options League for the 2026 season. We are incredibly pleased to welcome Negociants Australia as our headline sponsor for this inaugural year. Their legacy of representing the finest world wines aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate technical tasting standards across the state. As one of the recognized Great Wine Capitals of the world Adelaide sits at the heart of a global industry and we believe our local professionals deserve a competitive platform that matches that international prestige. This league has been built from the ground up to support the professional development of our city wine industry professionals including Sommeliers WSET candidates CMS students and Masters of Wine. It provides a rare high stakes arena where you can test your deductive reasoning and palate accuracy alongside your most respected peers.

A Professional Standard for Technical Excellence

The competition format is meticulously structured to challenge even the most experienced palates through a three bracket system consisting of five masked wines. Each monthly round presents two white wines followed by two red wines and concludes with a specialty selection such as a sparkling wine or a rose or a fortified option. This varied flight ensures that competitors must maintain a broad technical knowledge base across all categories of viticulture. Scoring is weighted toward precision with 5 points awarded for the correct Variety and 3 points for the Region and 2 points for the Vintage. To ensure the absolute integrity of the test we maintain a strict policy where participants rely solely on their internal knowledge. This means that maps and electronic devices and reference guides are strictly prohibited on the floor during active rounds. Collaboration is also forbidden as the league is designed as a solitary test of the individual. Participants are expected to maintain professional decorum at all times while evaluating the flight and the use of professional terminology is mandatory.

The Value of the 24 Competitor Limit

We have intentionally implemented a strict upper limit of 24 competitors for each round to ensure the highest level of technical integrity and intimacy. This capacity is specifically calculated to allow for standardized professional 60ml pours from exactly two bottles of each wine selection. This ensures that every taster in the room experiences the exact same profile from the same bottle sequence without the variance that occurs in larger volume events. This small group format fosters a focused environment where the pressure of competition is palpable yet the setting remains refined. By limiting the field we ensure that the Options Master can provide detailed technical feedback and engage in deep discussion with each participant once the wines are unmasked. This intimacy is vital for meaningful education and peer review as it allows for a nuanced exploration of why certain deductive paths were taken and where technical errors occurred.

Bridging the Gap to the World Stage

The value this league brings to the Australian wine industry and formal education cannot be overstated. For those pursuing WSET Level 4 Diploma or CMS Advanced and Master titles the ability to taste in a high pressure competitive environment is the most effective way to sharpen the palate for formal examinations. SAWOL bridges the gap between casual tasting groups and the clinical nature of international exams by providing a professional arena that demands accuracy. This initiative supports the broader industry by raising the baseline of technical proficiency among Adelaide wine professionals which in turn enhances the quality of service and expertise found throughout our venues. By fostering a culture of technical accuracy and blind integrity locally we are preparing our community to compete at the same world class level seen in prestigious global finals such as the World Tasting Championship.

Registration for all 11 months is now open on our events page and we highly encourage you to secure your spot for the full season early to maintain your eligibility for the annual trophy. Join us at Septimus for a 2026 season defined by precision and the pursuit of viticultural excellence as we crown a champion this December.