Court of Master Sommeliers: A Digital Transformation Rooted in Heritage
Old Court of Master Sommeliers Website
When the Court of Master Sommeliers approached UKFizz, they needed more than just a website refresh.
With a decades-deep archive of over 18,000 images, countless bespoke content fields, and a highly customised WordPress framework built around Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), the Court’s digital home was tethered to a legacy hosting environment that was no longer sustainable.
The risk? Potential downtime and disruption for an international community of sommeliers who rely on the site for course bookings, learning resources, and member engagement.
UKFizz was brought in to take control of the transition.
The Challenge: Precision Under Pressure
Migrating the site was no simple lift-and-shift. With years of course content, event galleries, and user data intricately woven into the CMS, we had to ensure a meticulous, error-free transfer to a new hosting platform. Every image, every link, and every ACF-powered field had to map perfectly to its new home — without breaking the design or functionality.
Working closely with the client, we built a strategy to replicate, test, and verify the entire system before switching over — minimising downtime while protecting the integrity of the site’s content and user experience.
The Result: A New Era for an Iconic Institution
Once the transition was complete and the system stabilised, we began phase two: a modern design refresh that would bring the site’s appearance in line with the prestige of the Court itself.
Clean, elegant UI with enhanced UX
Hero video integration for immersive storytelling
Improved mobile responsiveness
Simplified navigation and content hierarchy
The result is a sleek, modern platform that reflects the Court’s reputation for excellence, while offering improved performance and usability for candidates, members, and educators alike.
Before
After
Court of Master Sommeliers Website - Refresh
What We Delivered
Full website migration to new hosting infrastructure
Safeguarding of over 18,000 media assets
Preservation and re-integration of complex ACF custom fields
Performance optimisation and quality assurance across devices
Modern UI/UX design refresh with video backgrounds
Ongoing support and advisory for future development
More Than a Website — A Legacy Preserved
At UKFizz, we don’t just build websites — we help preserve stories, serve communities, and support brands in doing what they do best. The work with the Court of Master Sommeliers was as much about honouring a legacy as it was about delivering digital excellence.
Looking for a development partner who can handle high-stakes digital transitions and breathe new life into complex platforms?