About Me

I was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire and have been involved in the wine business for nearly 20 years.

Currently I am the Director of Wines and Spirits for the Hotel du Vin group, a boutique, 14 hotel chain which is themed around Wine. I am also a Master Sommelier (one of only 180 in the world), previous winner of the UK Sommelier of the Year competition and twice a representative for the UK in the European Sommelier Competition. I am a regular judge for the Sommelier of the Year Competition and various tasting competitions (including the Decanter World Wine Awards) and an examiner for the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Formerly I worked for the Gordon Ramsay group as Executive Head Sommelier for 8 years, mainly in the 3 Michelin star Royal Hospital Road plus created the wine lists and trained wine service teams for Claridge’s, the Connaught, the Savoy, Boxwood Café, Maze and several overseas operations including Dubai, Tokyo and New York.

Other previous employers include Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Pied à Terre, wine merchant OW Loeb and the Greenhouse Restaurant (which has the UK’s largest wines list of 3,400 bins)

When not drinking wine I attempt to run marathons or can be found deep diving shipwrecks from the south coast of England.

See Ronans CV

See Media Blog

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Please contact me for details.

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Ronan's Testimonials...

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Ronan Sayburn was one of the first true Sommeliers who welcomed me into Sommellerie over 10 years ago, opening his door to share his knowledge and assist in developing my sommelier skills whilst working in Michelin starred establishments. He has been a direct influence in my professional development and wine studies including national and international sommelier competitions. His willingness to assist and support anyone with a true desire to further themselves in the hospitality industry is effortless, and one which echoes across the UK and abroad through world-wide recognition and respect amongst his peers and leading industry figures.

Matt Wilkin M.S., UK Sales and Marketing Director, H2Vin Ltd.

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