Luis Baselga of Smoked Room receives rare Michelin Special Sommelier Award for exceptional wine service
Luis Baselga, sommelier at Madrid’s two-starred Smoked Room, has been awarded the Michelin Special Sommelier Award, announced at the 2025 Michelin Gala held in Málaga last week. The accolade, which recognises exceptional contributions to wine service and pairing, has previously only been granted to two other figures in Spain’s culinary scene: Josep Roca of El Celler de Can Roca and José Luis Paniagua of Atrio.
The award highlights Baselga’s role in shaping the experience at Smoked Room, a 14-seat restaurant led by chef Dani García. Since it opened in 2021, Baselga has overseen its wine programme, creating what Michelin calls “one of the most distinctive wine programs in the country”. His work includes curating three separate pairing menus, each designed to complement the restaurant’s fire-focused cuisine by exploring variations in texture, temperature and terroir.
Smoked Room (part of the Dani García Group, which operates several establishments in Spain and abroad) has gained recognition for its intimate setting and emphasis on smoke and embers in its cooking techniques. Baselga’s contribution is considered central to the restaurant’s identity, with his selections designed to enhance and reinterpret the flavours of each dish. While García’s culinary vision sets the tone for the kitchen, the wine pairings – described by the Guide as “curious and never formulaic” – are seen as a vital element in the venue’s success .
The Michelin Guide has increasingly acknowledged the role of sommeliers in recent years, with the Special Sommelier Award intended to spotlight individuals who bring innovation and excellence to wine service. The prize is not presented annually, and its rare bestowal reflects the high standard of Baselga’s work. He joins a small group of professionals recognised for their influence on modern fine dining in Spain.
Food Desk
For further information about Luis Baselga, visit his Instagram here.
To book a table at Smoked Room at Hotel Hyatt Regency Hesperia, Paseo de la Castellana 57, 28046 Madrid, visit their website here.
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