The first-ever Great Steppe Sommelier Cup was held in Aktau in late October 2019. It was organised by ASI observer member the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association in cooperation with their partners. 10 candidates were invited from six different countries along the Great Steppe stretching from Eastern Europe through to China.
Dayana Nassyrova of Kazakhstan emerged as the winner of this inaugural cup, followed by Vladimir Kosenko (Russia) and Alexandros Bouzikas (Greece). The panel of judges included a contingent from other ASI countries such as Estonia, Germany, Greece and Austria.