Originally from Würzburg.

A  career change in late 1980s was a starting point to over 30-years' experience as sommelier and restaurateur.

Some of the most important stages of my career include work as head sommelier and restaurant manager at 2 and 3 stars Michelin restaurants such as "Weinbar Rutz", Restaurant "Dieter Müller" and Restaurant "Schweizer Stuben".

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I started teaching and training back in 1997.

In 1999 I completed the WSET Level 3 and then in 2003 the WSET Diploma Wines and Spirits qualification in London and have been delivering WSET programmes since 2004.

In addition to WSET qualifications I specialise in, spirits, beer, viticulture, winemaking and sensory analysis.

I've been teaching for a number of wine schools in Germany and abroad as well as acting as an accredited examiner for the IHK sommelier examination and the for the sommelier master IHK.

For many years now, I have been working as a speaker for the German Wine Institute worldwide.

Over time I have frequently visited many of the world's wine-growing regions and I am always keen to further expand my knowledge.

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Those familiar with Berlin wine scene may know me from "Hammers Weinkostbar", a specialist shop with own seminar program, which I founded in 2007; or from my columns at "Berliner Morgenpost" and "Esspress".

 

Since 2022 I have been working as lecturer at Berlin Wine School with focus on WSET Level 3 in Wines.