Our Trainers
Meet your intrepid Sommeliers who will be delighted to guide you on your wine education journey.
Wine Academy Manager
Stephen Towler, Master Sommelier
After having caught the wine bug in South Africa over twenty years ago, Stephen returned to the UK to embark on a career as a Sommelier. This calling carried him from his native Cornwall UK, via France and the Maldives to eventually land in Dubai in 2006. Stephen initially started with MMI in 2014, he is a Certified Educator and level 4 Diploma holder with WSET and achieved the prestigious title of Master Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2025.
Wine Trainer
Antoaneta Rangelova
Antoaneta has called Dubai home since 2019, where she has developed her career as a Sommelier across a range of hospitality establishments. Over the past few years, she has discovered a strong passion for wine education and now specializes in guiding students through WSET Level 1 and Level 2 in Wine. Currently preparing for her WSET Diploma qualification, Antoaneta continues to expand her expertise while sharing her enthusiasm for wine with aspiring students and professionals alike
Abhishek Sharma
Hanu Restaurant
“I had an excellent learning experience while preparing for my WSET Level 3 with The MMI Wine Academy. Steve’s structured teaching approach, guidance, and constant support helped me build strong theory and tasting knowledge. His weekly Monday mentoring sessions were especially valuable, and he has a great ability to simplify complex topics, making them easy to understand. His mentorship played a key role in helping me achieve a Distinction, which would not have been possible without his support. I highly recommend The MMI Wine Academy to anyone serious about WSET studies."
Gustavo Klaebisch
Moët Hennessy
"Studying at the MMI Wine Academy made the WSET Level 3 course make sense. It was very well structured from the start, contacting us two months in advance with clear guidance, study tools, and useful external platforms to begin preparing before the live sessions.
The tasting preparation was especially extensive and clear, and Stephen was always patient, open to questions, and available even outside the sessions to clarify doubts. The course was extremely valuable and well delivered."
Bohdan Krevsun
The Artisan Il Ristorante
“I recently completed the WSET Level 3 wine course at MMI Wine Academy. The lectures were perfectly organized, and the material was logically structured. The instructor was exceptionally knowledgeable and professional. I am especially grateful for the mentoring sessions and the valuable tips provided on wine tasting techniques.”
Agassi Serobyan
Vaga Dubai
“Having completed both WSET Level 2 and Level 3 with the MMI Wine Academy, I greatly value the clarity, structure, and depth of its teaching. The trainer's ability to explain complex topics thoroughly while addressing all questions in detail ensured a strong alignment with WSET Level 3 assessment standards. MMI's mentoring has significantly enhanced my practical ability to assess wines, draw structured conclusions, and make informed recommendations. I commend their dedication and professionalism."
Sachin Shrestha
Four Seasons
"I had a great experience completing my WSET Level 2 Award in Wines with MMI. The course was well-organized, engaging, and very informative. It significantly improved my wine knowledge and confidence.I gained valuable knowledge about different wine regions, grape varieties, and tasting techniques, which has really boosted my confidence in the industry.I’m happy to have passed and would definitely recommend MMI to anyone interested in building a strong foundation in wines."
Kamran Ibrahimov
La Petite Maison
"The WSET Level 3 course was intense, but the way the material was taught by Stephen made it click.Tasting sessions were structured and practical. I walked into the exam confident and passed with merit."
Cedric Dallemagne
“My wife and I have always shared a deep passion for wine. With a French background, a sommelier uncle, and a mother-in-law who owned a wine bar, we’ve been lucky enough to taste exceptional wines from around the world. Yet, despite our exposure, selecting wines often felt overwhelming, and our knowledge was limited.
This led us to pursue our WSET certifications, and choosing MMI Wine Academy was one of the best decisions we made. The closeness and personalized attention from the professors were exceptional—they weren’t just extremely knowledgeable, but their passion for everything related to wine was truly inspiring.
The weekly tutorials made a huge difference in our journey. Developing a palate isn’t just about talent; it requires education and consistent training. The weekly sommelier tutorials were critical to our success. They didn’t just test our knowledge deeply but also instilled the discipline needed to excel in this fun yet challenging professional certification.
Earning our wine certification with Steve and his team has been a major highlight of the past two years. It’s been an incredible experience, and the only regret is that the diploma isn’t yet available at the Wine Academy. We’re already looking forward to the next chapter!"
Gainwille Dean
“Taking on the WSET Level 3 was a big challenge for me, especially as someone still growing in the wine industry. Thankfully, my experience with MMI Wine Academy made the journey much easier and more enjoyable.
A special thank you to Stephen for his patience, knowledge, and great teaching style. He made even the more complex topics easier to understand and helped me gain more confidence in both theory and blind tasting. To Antoaneta, for her guidance on our mock exams and blind tasting.
I’m grateful to the whole MMI team for helping me achieve this milestone. I highly recommend MMI Wine Academy to anyone looking to learn more about wine and take their knowledge to the next level."
Lilla Faragó
Gabb Family Wines
“Looking back at where I started and where I am today, I can confidently say that a huge part of my growth and my knowledge in the world of wine is thanks to The MMI Wine Academy and Stephen, who has been my teacher throughout both my WSET Level 2 and Level 3 journey.
Living in Dubai, and having the opportunity to study in such a fantastic establishment, with excellent mentorship, and an impressive selection of wines for tasting preparation, makes the whole learning experience so much smoother.
I particularly appreciated the course’s openness, great atmosphere while continuously deepening my understanding of different grape varieties, wine regions, the history of wine and the art of winemaking. Connecting with people who share the same passion, and together celebrating new milestones along the way, while Stephen was always there providing the right guidance to succeed in the exams. I genuinely had a great time during this journey, the academy and the courses are not just something valuable but also truly enjoyable.”
Mangesh Patade
Trèsind Dubai
“I’m thankful to MMI Wine Academy, Stephen Towler, and Antoaneta Rangelova for their guidance and support during my WSET Level 3 and CMS Certified Sommelier journey.
Before my WSET Level 3 exam, Stephen conducted weekly classes for around one and a half months. The tasting classes every Monday and blind-tasting sessions every Friday helped me improve my tasting skills and build confidence.
I truly appreciate their support and teaching, which made a real difference in my journey as a sommelier. Thank you for being part of my growth!"