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The beginnings of a national passion
The Dominican Association of Sommeliers
Wine culture in the Dominican Republic has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent decades, going from being a luxury reserved for the few to becoming a growing expression of gastronomic sophistication and professionalism. In this context, the Dominican Association of Sommeliers (ADS), a pioneering organization dedicated to bringing together, training, and representing wine professionals in the country.
Foundation and purpose
The ADS was founded on August 12, 2003 by the teacher Pablo Díaz, a visionary and key trainer in the development of sommelierie in the country. Its creation responded to the need to establish a formal institution that would promote the professionalization of sommeliers in the Dominican Republic, strengthen wine education, and foster a more robust and accessible wine culture.
Since its inception, the ADS has focused on three fundamental pillars:
- Continuing education through courses, tastings and seminars.
- Participation in competitionnational and international.
- Collaboration with related institutions to promote global standards of the trade.
Our Institutional Essence
The pillars that guide every step of the Dominican Sommelier Association.
Mission
Promote Sommelier excellence in the Dominican Republic through education, professionalization, and the dissemination of wine culture.
Vision
To be a national and international benchmark in sommelier studies, distinguished by its commitment to education, ethics, and the promotion of wine as an art and culture.
Values
Passion for wine and service | Commitment to ongoing training | Integrity and professionalism | Collaboration with strategic partners | Pride in the Dominican Sommelier identity.
Leadership and evolution: Presidents of the ADS
From 2003 to 2020–present
Alexis Familia (2003–2007): The founding stage
As founding president, Alexis Familia He faced the most basic challenges of the ADS: low membership, scarce resources, and poor organization. Despite these limitations, he managed to lay the foundations of the institution, organizing the first Educational tastings with winery representatives and creating the official ADS logo, designed by Laura. Her leadership marked the beginning of the Sommelier movement in the country.
Luis Henry Rosado (2007–2012): National and international expansion
During his presidency, Henry Rosado worked hard to consolidate the structure of the association and the vocational training of the Dominican Sommeliers. He was key in the establishment of relations with the Pan-American Sommeliers Alliance (APAS) and, later, with the SO. In 2009, organized the First Sommelier Competition in the Dominican Republic in collaboration with El Catador, opening a stage of competition and professional excellence.
Darío Rosario (2012–2014): Academic drive and legal structure
With Dario Rosario At the helm, the ADS reached new levels of formalization. During his tenure, he secured sponsorships from major wine importers such as The Taster, MGC, Álvarez & Sánchez and Wines SAThese supports allowed, among other things, to organize the First Wine Tour to France (2014)Rosario also managed the RNC of the association, opened bank accounts institutional and established membership protocol.
Riquermis Santana (2014–2020): International consolidation
The leadership of Riquermis Santana marked a period of great international projection. Under his leadership, the Dominican Republic participated for the first time in the Best Sommelier of the Americas Competition (2015) and in the World's Best Sommelier Competition (2016). In 2017, achieved the official integration of the ADS to APAS and SO, and in 2018, organized the First National Sommelier Competition endorsed by both entities. In subsequent years, the ADS continued to participate in continental and world competitions, positioning the country on the global map of sommeliers.
Carlos Espino (2020–present): Resilience and modern projection
The current president, Carlos Espino, took over at a challenging time: the pandemic COVID-19Despite the restrictions, Espino managed to maintain institutional activity, organizing the National Sommelier Competition 2020In the following years, he strengthened the national and international projection of the ADS with events such as the Best Sommelier of Spanish Wines Competition (2022), he National Tasting Competition (2023) and the National Sommelier Competition (2024). His focus has been the excellence, continuing education and strengthening the prestige of the profession.
COMITE EJECUTIVO
Carlos Espino
ADS President
Pablo Díaz
President ad vitam
Kelyn Rubio
Vice President ADS
Federico Díaz
Director of ADS Training
Henry Rosado
ADS Treasurer & ADS Subsidiary Executive Director
Mystosis Serum
General Secretariat of the ADS
Alexander Sánchez
Public relations
Ramón Difo
ADS Branch Secretary
Dario Rosario
ADS Disciplinary Committee
Hipólito Díaz
ADS Disciplinary Committee
Andy López de los Santos
ADS Disciplinary Committee
Andrés Meschisi
ADS Disciplinary Committee
José Silverio
ADS Disciplinary Committee
Reynaldo Santana
ADS Disciplinary Committee
Carlos Manuel Pérez
ADS Communication
A path of growth and international recognition
Since its inception, the ADS has been an active player in the local and international wine scene. One of the most significant milestones in its history occurred in 2017, when the institution was officially integrated into the Association of Sommellerie Internationale (ASI), an organization that brings together sommelier associations from more than 70 countries. This step consolidated the ADS's commitment to the highest international standards and opened up new professional development opportunities for its members.
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