Sommelier Extraordinaire Aleksandr Nakonechnyi Joins the Niyama Dream Team

Aleksandr Nakonechnyi, a highly regarded sommelier, has joined the Niyama Private Islands Maldives team.

Career Journey
- Started as a bartender at Kempinski Grand Hotel Gelendzhik (Black Sea).
- Moved to St. Petersburg, then to the Maldives at Soneva Jani.
- In 2021, became Wine Guru at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, overseeing the world’s first underwater wine cellar (SEA).
- Led the Dom Pérignon underwater ageing project, submerging bottles in the reef for unique seaweed and mineral notes.

Role at Niyama
- Now Head Sommelier at Niyama, bringing passion and bold vision.
- Curates wine and champagne pairings across Niyama’s signature venues:
- Edge (overwater restaurant): refined champagne pairings reflecting the horizon.
- Subsix (underwater venue): Nikkei-inspired tasting menus with champagne & sake pairings.
- Tribal (jungle setting): bold wines paired with dry-aged meats.
- Nest (treetop dining): delicate wines & sake harmonizing with avant-garde Asian flavors.

Impact
- General Manager Hafidh Al Busaidy calls him “a rare find” whose enthusiasm will elevate Niyama’s wining and dining experiences.
- His arrival strengthens Niyama’s reputation as an award-winning luxury playground, offering guests immersive culinary journeys across land, sea, and sky.

This appointment reflects how luxury resorts are increasingly investing in specialist talent to create distinctive, memorable guest experiences.