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Elle Danille
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Elle Danille
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Elle Danille
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Elle Danille
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Elle Danille
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Elle Danille
Nashville’s wine scene had its moment in the spotlight on November 16 as six talented sommeliers went head-to-head at the Second Annual Somm Showdown, hosted by Nashville Wine Auction at Geodis Park’s Goal Post Club. After three intense rounds of pairing, tasting, and trivia, LeeAnne Arnold, CMS Certified Sommelier and General Manager of Harvest Wine Market, emerged victorious, claiming the title she narrowly missed last year.
“It was such a thrill to compete during the Second Annual Showdown and incredible to win after being runner-up last year,” Arnold shared. “What a fun way to spend a Sunday, competing against friends and supporting a great cause.”
Arnold’s journey to the top began with a food-and-wine pairing challenge alongside Chef Anthony Pell of The Iberian Pig. The duo wowed judges with Coca Con Pato, duck confit layered with labneh, pomegranate, apricot, pickled red onion, herbs, and flatbread, paired with Arnold’s bold choice: Testalonga El Bandito ‘Monkey Gone To Heaven’ 2021. From there, she breezed through a wine knowledge quiz before facing off against runner-up Phillip Patti in a nail-biting blind tasting finale.
Arnold walked away with a $2,000 prize, earmarked for advancing her wine education. Her plans? Tackling the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Theory Exam in early 2026 and a European wine adventure in February, including Portugal’s Douro Valley and WineParis. “There is nothing quite like the experiential learning that takes place by being in the vineyards and speaking with winemakers on their turf,” she says.
Patti, a DipWSET and owner of Southeastern Beverage Education, earned the $1,000 runner-up prize and intends to use it for study trips to Europe and South America. “This competition is ideal because, no matter the outcome, one feels great about the reality that the money raised is going towards a noble cause,” he notes.
Beyond the thrill of competition, Somm Showdown serves a greater purpose: supporting Nashville Wine Auction’s mission to fund the fight against cancer. Since its founding in 1980, the organization has raised more than $43 million for research, treatment, and patient support. CEO Loren Chumley sums it up best: “We are excited to host this event which highlights the exceptional talents in our hospitality community.”
Other competitors included:
- Eric Bowers, Bastion
- Scott Herrmann, The Detroit Cowboy
- Jiby Philip, AOC Wine Distribution
- Derick Spangler, The Twelve Thirty Club