Sommelier extraordinaire Aleksandr Nakonechnyi joins the Niyama Dream Team | News
Passionate sommelier Aleksandr Nakonechnyi joins the F&B team at Niyama Private Islands Maldives for an exciting new chapter, reimagining the entire resort experience and making the food and drinks more enticing than ever.
An award-winning luxury playground, Niyama Private Islands are two lush islands that offer you an abundance of choices to relax or play. Sommelier Aleksandr Nakonechnyi joins the team that brings dreams to life, passionate and knowledgeable about his profession.
Aleksandr started his catering career as a bartender at the Kempinski Grand Hotel Gelendzhik on the Black Sea. His wanderlust then took him to the enchanting beauty of St Petersburg and then across the seas to the luxurious barefoot Sonevi Jani in the Maldives.
In 2021, Aleksandr joined the Minor Hotels family as Wine Guru at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, where he oversaw the extensive collection at the world’s first underwater wine cellar, SEA. It was also here that he led the resort’s Dom Perignon underwater aging project, sinking valuable bottles into the reef for over a year to infuse the champagnes with distinct notes of seaweed and minerals, then hosting tastings for guests surrounded by the allure of the ocean itself.
Now part of the team at sister resort Niyama, Aleksandr brings passion and a bold vision. At Edge, the signature overwater restaurant and multi-year recipient of the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, surrounded by nothing but open water, he reintroduces diners to sophisticated wine and champagne pairings that reflect the horizon – bright and clear. Beneath the waves at Subsix, the resort’s iconic underwater location, the Nikkei-inspired tasting menu is complemented by its champagne and sake pairings that elevate each course to a multi-sensory journey. In the Tribal jungle, bold, structured wines complement the dry-aged meat – each combination crafted to enhance depth, smokiness and character. Finally, high above in the treetops at Nest, lighter expressions take center stage, with delicate wines and sake selections that effortlessly harmonize with avant-garde Asian flavors.
“Aleksandr is a rare find, and we are so pleased that he is joining us to charm our guests with his passion and infectious enthusiasm,” said Hafidh Al Busaidy, General Manager of Niyama Private Islands Maldives. “As Niyama continues to develop, he will play an invaluable role in creating even more intriguing food and dining experiences.”
For more information or reservations, please call or email +960 676 22 22 [email protected]
