Joakim Hansi Blackadder

Joakim was born in Sweden and received his foundational sommelier training in his home country in 2005-2006.

Joakim was born in the middle of Sweden and received his foundational hospitality training at Leksand’s Gymnasium, a programme focused on tourism. In 2005, Joakim enrolled on Restaurangakademien’s sommelier programme and received his diploma in 2006. He then progressed to take over the sommelier coordinator role for the institute and gained valuable experience in Michelin stared restaurants before re-locating to South Africa at the end of 2008.

In South Africa, Joakim started off by working as sommelier for the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl, after which he moved to the Roundhouse and Rumbullion Restaurants in Cape Town. He worked with them for two and a half years as their sommelier and general manager and won the first Bollinger Wine Service Award in 2011. The journey then continued to Rust en Vrede restaurant where he spent two years and received the first annual Wine Service Award from Eat Out Magazine along with the award for the Best Wine List in Africa and the Middle East by The World of Fine Wine Magazine. During the time at Rust en Vrede he completed his WSET Diploma, joined the Commanderie de Bordeaux en Afrique du Sud as Commandeur and became inducted as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne.

The restaurants that Joakim worked for has received the annual Service Excellence Award from Eat Out Magazine for three years in a row between 2011-2013. He then joined the South African importer and distributor Solo Vino to re-launch the company into the current Vinovation. He managed the portfolio, sourcing and supply chain for the company from 2014 before joining the Hoghouse team as their Group Sommelier in June 2015.

Joakim was 2nd runner-up in the inaugural Best Sommelier of South Africa competition in 2016 and is currently one of the Managing Partners for Somm Hospitality Enterprises in Stellenbosch.

Joakim was also crowned the winner at the May 218 Gaggenau SA Sommelier competition.