Raised in Pokhara Nepal, Suraj GC first came to New Zealand as an international student studying computer engineering in Hawke’s Bay. He gained part time work as a waiter at Elephant Hill Winery Restaurant. Suraj GC has won New Zealand Sommelier of the Year 2024.

Over these 5 years he progressed to maitre d’ and then restaurant manager. During this time Elephant Hill was awarded Best Winery Restaurant in New Zealand and 2 hats from the prestigious Cuisine Awards. Wine became an integral part of his life and he started to study WSET and gained Court of Master Sommeliers certification.

Suraj gained permanent residency in 2016 and moved permanently to Auckland in 2019 taking the role of Head Sommelier at the Park Hyatt Hotel.

In 2022, Suraj was awarded a scholarship to attend the Association of Sommeliers International (ASI) Sommelier Bootcamp in Malaysia. This provided a unique setting to train under the best sommeliers in the world.

“I am very grateful to the New Zealand Sommelier Association for providing such incredible opportunities and hosting amazing competitions to an international standard. It has been such an mind-blowing feeling to win the Best Sommelier of New Zealand 2024, after being the runner up in 2023.”
Suraj GC

Working through a full day of assessments to challenge and showcase sommelier skills, 14 candidates, including two guest sommeliers from Japan and one from Australia, challenged for the top rankings. Suraj GC convincingly demonstrated, over the series of tasks, that he is the best sommelier in New Zealand.

“I feel truly blessed to be able to also represent my home country Nepal, where the wine industry has just begun. I hope someday to inspire more Nepalese people to work in this beautiful world of wine and experience this magical journey.“
Suraj GC

Article: https://www.sommelier.co.nz/article/suraj-gc-wins-new-zealand-sommelier-of-the-year-2024

More about the competition: https://www.sommelier.co.nz/article/new-zealand-sommelier-of-the-year-2024