7 Austin wine experts compete for best sommelier in Texas

On August 8, the five-day Texas Sommelier Conference (TEXSOM) (level III) are eligible to participate. In the past eight years, four sommeliers from Austin — Devon Broglie, Mark Sayre, June Rodil and Bill Elsey — have brought home the coveted prize. This year the city has a chance to win the crown once again, as seven of the 24 competitors hail from Austin. Competitor Brian Phillips is confident in his hometown sommeliers. “I think the chances of bringing it back to Austin are very high,” says Phillips. “Our sommelier community has excellent support. There is no reason we can’t it.” Meet Austin’s participants in the Texas’ Best Sommelier Competition.