Scottish Restaurateur Named Among UK’s Top Sommeliers

Killiecrankie House co-owner Matilda Tsappis rises to number 20 in prestigious national rankings

Perthshire restaurateur and sommelier Matilda Tsappis, co-owner of Killiecrankie House, has secured a place among the UK’s leading wine professionals after being ranked 20th in the 2026 Taylor’s Port UK Top 100 Sommeliers List. Read all about our visit here

The rankings were announced during a prestigious awards ceremony held at The Dorchester in London on 22 June, recognising the most talented and influential sommeliers working across the UK hospitality industry.

Matilda’s latest achievement marks a remarkable rise through the rankings. Having first entered the Top 100 in 2024 at number 48, she climbed to number 36 in 2025 before making another significant leap this year to break into the Top 20.

The annual Taylor’s Port UK Top 100 Sommeliers List celebrates excellence in wine service, highlighting professionals who demonstrate outstanding knowledge, hospitality and dedication to their craft. Candidates are nominated by industry peers, fellow sommeliers and diners before being assessed by an expert judging panel.

Judges evaluate a range of criteria including career achievements, qualifications, professional experience, competition performance and day-to-day responsibilities, with each sommelier benchmarked against rigorous industry standards.

This year’s rankings also reflected the growing influence of women within the profession. Organisers noted that the UK’s highest-ranked sommelier is female, while women accounted for almost half of the Top 50 places, highlighting continued progress within a field traditionally dominated by men.

Speaking about the accolade, Matilda Tsappis said:

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the progress I’ve made over the past three years and to be recognised alongside so many talented sommeliers from across the UK.

“This profession demands constant curiosity and a commitment to learning, not only about wine but also about the wider world of drinks and hospitality. To be ranked in the Top 20 is a real honour, and I’m especially proud to represent Scotland on a national stage while helping showcase the exceptional food, drink and hospitality experiences we have here.”

Killiecrankie House has built a reputation for its exceptional food, warm hospitality and carefully curated wine programme, with Matilda’s expertise playing a key role in creating memorable dining experiences for guests visiting the Perthshire destination.

For more information and the latest news from Killiecrankie House, visit https://killiecrankiehouse.com.