ws_results([{"judgeID":13,"fn":"Amy","ln":"Albert","title":"Freelance Writer","location":"Washington, DC.","photo":"13.jpg","bio":"Amy Albert has been a food and wine journalist for over 20 years. She has written, edited, and photographed stories on myriad aspects of wine, harvest and the winemaking process, as well as articles on artisanal food crafting and growing, ingredients, cooking technique, seasonal produce, kitchen design, and travel. She spent years as a senior editor at Bon Appétit and before that, at Fine Cooking. Currently, Amy works as a freelance food and wine writer. She’s also editor of Custom Home magazine and design editor of Builder magazine, having made a recent jump from edibles to edifices.  \r\n\r\nAmy served as a press liaison at SOPEXA/Food \u0026 Wines From France and is certified as a Level One Master Sommelier. She started her food and wine career in top restaurants with a focus on staff training to make wine easier to describe and to pair with food. \r\n\r\nIn addition to The Dallas Morning News, Amy has judged the Los Angeles International Wine \u0026 Spirits Competition, Los Angeles International Olive Oil Competition, Central Coast Wine Competition, and the American Cheesemaker Awards. \r\n\r\nAmy graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with honors in art history. Off the clock, she loves to cook, read, walk, sing, play guitar, practice yoga, and surf. \r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":96,"fn":"Paul","ln":"Botamer","title":"Wine Director, Fearings at the Ritz Carlton","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"96.jpg","bio":"Every wine has a story, and Paul Botamer is an expert storyteller. For more than 25 years, he has been talking about wine, from its history to its complex flavors. He has also shared this knowledge in some of the nation’s top restaurants, including Fearing’s, where he currently serves as director of wine.\r\n\r\nBotamer is recognized as an Advanced Sommelier by Court of Master Sommeliers and is a member of the Society of Wine Educators. He has been recognized as one of the Best Sommeliers in DFW by CBS DFW, and he has been featured in several renowned publications including Wine Enthusiast, D Magazine and Wine Spectator.\r\n\r\nAs Director of Wine for Fearing’s Restaurant, Botamer oversees the restaurant’s beverage program featuring an extensive wine and spirits menu which is served in all seven of the restaurant’s distinct atmospheres, including the private 6,000-bottle Wine Cellar. Botamer is responsible for the creation and execution of unique special event beverage menus, including wine dinners with some of the nation’s top wine makers; past participants include Kevin Buckler of Adobe Road and Randy Lewis of Lewis Cellars.\r\n\r\nFearing’s receipt of accolades from notable local, regional, national and international publications is in large part thanks to Botamer’s efforts. He joined the Fearing’s opening team in 2007 from The Mansion on Turtle Creek. He also has brought his talents to Mary Elaine’s at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Throughout his career, Paul Botamer has been a member of teams which have been recognized with the Wine Spectator Grand Award, AAA Five-Diamond Award, nomination for the James Beard Foundation’s award for Best Wine Service in the Country in 2001, 2003 and 2004, and a No. 1 Hotel Dining ranking for Fearing’s by the prestigious Zagat Survey.\r\n\r\nAn avid reader and history buff, Botamer enjoys traveling to vineyards across the world to continue sharpening his education in the field.","website":"www.fearingsrestaurant.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":134,"fn":"Shelli","ln":"Brinson Shepherd","title":"Central Regional Manager, King Estate Winery ","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"134.jpg","bio":"A life-long penchant for food and wine appreciation began with Shelli Brinson-Shepherd at the family dinner table. “My palate was awakened at about eight years of age, when my father allowed me a taste of wine at dinner. I was fascinated with the synergy of food and wine from that moment onward.” \r\n\r\nHer development continued through college at the University of Oklahoma and eventually led her to a life as a wine professional with distributors in Oklahoma, where she excelled in both sales and management. Ms. Brinson-Shepherd then moved into District Management positions for Kendall-Jackson in Dallas and then New Orleans, and she eventually became Area Manager for Artisans and Estates in Houston. Shelli came to her present position as Southwest Regional Manager for King Estate from a highly successful tenure as Executive Vice President of Sales \u0026 Marketing with Hirst Imports. \r\n\r\nShelli \u0027s husband,  Andrew, has a wine and food degree from his native New Zealand but by day is a Chiropractor \u0026 Nutritionist. Together, they share the love of food and wine and especially enjoy the bright flavors of pacific Rim cuisine which highlights the fresh character of Pacific Northwest wines, an area of special interest for Shelli. \r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":60,"fn":"Gregory","ln":"Bruni","title":"Vice President of Winemaking,  Llano Estacado Winery","location":"Lubbock, TX","photo":"60.jpg","bio":"Greg Bruni became the Vice President of Winemaking at Llano Estacado Winery in 1993. \" They wanted me for my winemaking knowledge -- and were happy to spare me the running of the business and just leave me to be as creative as possible. That allowed me to be, for the first time in my career, focused exclusively on what I loved: the artistic side of winemaking.\"\r\n \r\nGreg represents the third generation of his family to work in the wine industry. His family founded the famed San Martin Winery. Though he had no plans to enter the family business,  the onset of the premium wine boom in California changed his mind. He went to U.C. Davis where he obtained a B.S. degree in enology. \r\n \r\nGreg immediately returned to San Martin Winery as Assistant Winemaker under Ed Friedrich. He then worked as Winemaker under the wing of Terrance Clancy, who was reviving Bandiera Winery in Sonoma County. In 1984, Greg took the post of Winemaker/General Manager at Aciero Winery in Paso Robles, where he managed all winemaking operations. In 1989, Greg joined Byington Winery in Santa Cruz, California where he was responsible for designing an entirely new state-or-the-art facility.\r\n \r\nWhile not in the cellar or surveying the vineyards on the Texas High Plains, Greg enjoys growing vegetables in his home garden where all the ingredients are grown for his culinary specialty: authentic Italian cuisine. He lives in Lubbock with his wife Sharendale. \r\n \r\n","website":"www.llanowine.com/","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":98,"fn":"Terri","ln":"Burney","title":"Owner, Winetastic","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"98.jpg","bio":"Terri Burney began her career in wine in Chicago, IL. With a career spent in the financial services industry, (which was a spring-board for her own business), Terri and her husband opened their Wine Tasting Room in Dallas, TX  3 years ago. It all began for the love of wine. Terri started holding private wine tastings at her home in Chicago, IL every time she came back from a wine country trip to introduce her friends to the new wines she brought back. \"We kept going back to wine country several times a year to learn as much as we could about wine.\" It was obvious that wine had become our new passion and with Terri a Six-Sigma Certified Black Belt and Don an IT expert, we knew we had the business knowledge from our past careers to open a Wine Tasting Room. After a corporate transfer to Dallas, TX the plans began to form. The concept was simple. People had no place to go to taste wine like you could in wine country. \"We wanted to create a place where people could taste wine in a warm, non pretentious atmosphere.\" Today, Grand Tastings is a boutique wine store where you can \"Taste Before you Buy\". Terri is the one of the owners and the wine buyer, buying wines from all over the world. She travels endlessly, meeting with winemakers to find new boutique wines and re-visit old favorites to bring to her customers. \"I love to see our customers face light up when they try a new wine or that perfect match of food and wine occurs!\" Wine and food pairing and wine education are both part of Terri\u0027s expertise. She has completed the ISG (International Sommelier Guild) Certification I and II and has passed the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Sommelier Examination. The next step in her education is to enroll and complete the Master of Wine program. ","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":152,"fn":"Rebecca","ln":"Chapa","title":"Wine Consultant, Tannin Management/Wine by the Class","location":"San Francisco, CA","photo":"152.jpg","bio":"Rebecca Chapa, is a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier and holds the Diploma Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust in London.  Chapa is Chairman of the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition.  Chapa is Beverage Manager for SF Chefs www.sfchefs.com and has taught wine classes for consumers with her own company, Wine by the Class since 2001.  Chapa is an adjunct instructor at the Culinary Institute of America teaching Tasting Terroir, Oregon and Washington Intensive and the Fortified and Dessert Wine Intensive.  She also teaches WSET classes.  Chapa’s blog www.rebeccachapa.com explores wine, spirits, travel and culture.  \r\nChapa launched Tannin ManagementSM in 1999, a San Francisco-based wine consulting firm whose clients include Wines of Chile, National Pork Board, Napa Valley Vintners. Previous clients have included Pacific Catch, Ribera del Duero, Constellation, Outpatient Surgery Magazine, Canyon Road Winery, Geyser Peak Winery, Heck Estates, Credit Suisse, Wines from Spain, Iluna Basque, Twenty-Four Restaurant, Cetrella, XYZ Restaurant at the W Hotel, Belon, Westin St. Francis Hotel, and Auberge Del Mar.  Rebecca has written freelance for Santé and wrote chapters on California wine regions for The Global Encyclopedia of Wine and on the California Wine Business for Greenwood Publishing\u0027s The Business of Wine.  \r\nShe hones her palate tasting as an international judge for competitions such as the Concurso Internacional de Vinhos Cidade de Porto (Portugal), the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition (formerly called the Los Angeles County Fair), San Francisco International Wine Competition, Dallas Morning News, National Women’s Wine Competition and San Diego International Wine Competition.  \r\nShe served as a member of the Board of Directors of theSociety of Wine Educators and was Co-Program Chair of their 2000 conference in San Jose.  Chapa judged Santé Magazine’s Restaurant Wine and Spirits Hospitality Awards in 2000 and 2009, and is a frequent judge for Sunset’s Wine Awards.  She has been a featured speaker for National Pork Board, Wagner College, New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, Restaurant Business\u0027 Menus 2001 Conference, Motto Kryla \u0026 Fisher\u0027s Wine Trends 2001 Luxury Seminar, World Wine Market, the Pacific Rim Wine Education Center, Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and the Wine Institute of California’s Wine by the Glass Program in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. \r\nChapa has been featured on television on View from the Bay, in a satellite media tour for Canyon Road Winery, a pilot for Wine Country Living, as a guest reporter for Latin Eyes and Epicurious.com.  (see media clips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtk3LBG1xes) As former ambassador for Rubicon Estate she travelled the United States fostering relationships with the top sommeliers in the country and gaining sales experience.\r\n","website":"www.rebeccachapa.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":131,"fn":"Patrick","ln":"Comiskey","title":"Senior Correspondent, Wine \u0026 Spirits","location":"Los Angeles, CA ","photo":"131.jpg","bio":"Patrick Comiskey is a Senior Contributor for Wine \u0026 Spirits Magazine, where he serves as chief critic for all domestic wines not from California, and regularly contributes articles devoted to California, Oregon and Washington wine, winegrowing, and wine culture.\r\n \r\nHe has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. wine regions, as well as France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Australia, and tastes more than 4000 wines a year. He has taught classes and moderated panels on viticulture and wine tasting, and the world’s wine regions, and has written educational materials for restaurants as well as internet web sites. \r\n\r\nComiskey is a regular columnist with Wine Review Online, and is also a regular contributor to the Food Section of the Los Angeles Times, has contributed to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine section, and appears regularly in Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and the Robb Report. He lives in Los Angeles.\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":95,"fn":"Brian","ln":"Cronin, MS","title":"Western Region Manager, Spire Collection","location":"San Francisco, CA","photo":"95.jpg","bio":"Master Sommelier Brian Cronin began his wine career in Raleigh, North Carolina. After studying biology in college, Brian realized that he wanted to make wine. However, it was his exposure in restaurants to wines from all over the world and his growing passion for wine that made him want to learn everything that he possibly could. Brian then went to work as  sommelier in some of the top restaurants in the country. In Chicago he worked for Charlie Trotter as the assistant sommelier, under Master Sommelier Joe Spellman, and then worked his way up to head Sommelier.  Since then, he has worked as an Educator for Southern Wine \u0026 Spirits in Hawaii, as well as the Sommelier at Gary Danko Restaurant in San Francisco. Finally realizing that a sommelier’s assistance should not just be available to people in restaurants, Brian’s philosophy has moved into the belief that wine should be a grocery item, not just a special occasion item. He has since spent time working for the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, in San Francisco, as well teaching classes for the public on how to buy great wine easily.  He promotes that wine should be enjoyed to its fullest and is committed to sharing his knowledge about wine to others so they can enjoy it as much as he does. Wine is Humor- we all need it!\r\n\r\n","website":"www.spirecollection.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":87,"fn":"Cole ","ln":"Danehower","title":"Co-Owner \u0026 Publisher, Northwest Palate Magazine","location":"Portland, OR","photo":"87.jpg","bio":"Cole has been writing about and professionally reviewing the wines of the Pacific Northwest since 1999. In 2004 he won a James Beard Foundation Journalism Award for his publication the Oregon Wine Report (which was also a featured SAVEUR Magazine \"Favorite 100\" culinary item). Since 2005 he has been co-owner and publisher of Northwest Palate magazine covering the food, wine, and culinary travel resources of the Pacific Northwest. \r\n\r\nIn 2010 his book Essential Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest, A Guide to the Wine Countries of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho was published by Timber Press. Also in 2010 he was given the Industry Partner Award by the Oregon Wine Board for contributions to the Oregon wine industry. \r\n\r\nCole has twice been awarded scholarships to attend the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood. Cole is a frequent wine judge, including the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Sunset Magazine Wine Competition, Oregon State Wine Competition, Portland Indie Wine Festival, and others. Cole’s freelance writing has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Wines \u0026 Vines Magazine, The Oregonian, Eugene Register Guard, and other print and online publications.\r\n","website":"essentialnorthwestwines.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":35,"fn":"Fernando","ln":"de Luna, CWE","title":"Owner, Vintages 2.0","location":"San Antonio, TX","photo":"35.jpg","bio":"Woody de Luna been in the wine business in Texas since 1978 as a wine buyer, store owner, wholesaler, educator, competition judge, and author of Wine Gazette for seventeen years through early 2011.\r\n\r\nHe tastes through a wide range of wines to select those that offer character and sheer deliciousness. His credentials for being able to taste wine are attested to by being one of the handful of Americans who have passed the tasting portion of the MW exam (1999) and having his Certified Wine Educator credential (2009) from the Society of Wine Educators.\r\n\r\nWhy is his business called Vintages 2.0? He started the first Vintages, a full-service wine and spirits store, twenty-eight years ago with business partner Vance Rose in Austin, Texas. But in September 1983 there was no internet, web-sites, PCs or iMacs, smart phones, faxes, Quick Books, much less information clouds. In 2011 because of the tech-info revolution, he felt he could open a specialty wine retail business and operate out of a small office with an adjacent storage area and, so, hence the name Vintages 2.0","website":"vintages2.com/","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":117,"fn":"Traci","ln":"Dutton","title":"Beverage Manager and Sommelier, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone","location":"St. Helena, CA","photo":"117.jpg","bio":"Traci Dutton is the  beverage manager and sommelier for The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, located in Napa Valley, CA. Ms. Dutton’s responsibilities include \r\nThe selection and purchasing of wine, inventory control, wine list development, menuing, food and wine pairings, and staff training for all components of the CIA Greystone campus, including the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, the Professional Wine Studies Program, and Special Events. \r\n\r\nTraci started her tenure with The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in 1998, as beverage manager and sommelier for the college’s Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, \r\nwhere her all-California wine lists and imaginative Flights of Fancy have won her numerous awards, the most recent being presented by the National Restaurant Association for \"America’s Best Wine Lists.\" \r\n\r\nMs. Dutton has extensive experience in the beverage industry, including a position as Bar Manager at the three-star Montrachet under the direction of Daniel Johnnes (New York City), Service Manager at The Striped Bass (Philadelphia) and Beverage Captain at 231 Ellsworth (San Francisco area). Her expertise spans a spectrum from French and Italian wines, to the wines of California and the northeastern United States, as well as the art of mixology.\r\n\r\nIn addition to her work at The Culinary Institute of America, Traci has judged the Dallas Morning News New Wine Competition and the Los Angeles Country Fair Wines of the World Competition, two of the largest wine competitions in the country. She has spoken on the marketing of wine at the University of California at Davis, Sonoma State University, and the Wine Industry Financial Symposium. Her wine and beer writing has appeared in Kitchen \u0026 Cook, Wine Country Magazine and the St. Helena Star.\r\n\r\nTraci’s special interest is in finding vintners who create “labors of love” that civilize our daily lives. \r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":18,"fn":"Nick","ln":"Goldschmidt","title":"Winemaker, Goldschmidt Vineyards","location":"Healdsburg, CA","photo":"18.jpg","bio":"Nick Goldschmidt winemaker and  consultant \r\nFirst vintages and work status\r\nNew Zealand 83 - present, Australia 85 - present, Chile 89 - present, USA 89 - present, Argentina 93 - today, Italy 95 - 99 Portugal 95 - 99, Mexico 03 - 05, Spain 03 -  present\r\n\r\nEmployers\r\nSimi 1990 – 2003 (LVMH and Constellation)\r\nAllied Domecq 2003 – 2008 (AD and Jim Beam)\r\nGoldschmidt 2008 - present\r\n\r\nPast Lead winemaking roles for \r\nSimi, Blackstone, Ravenswood, Franciscan, Estancia, Clos Du Bois, Gary Farrell, Geyser Peak, Wild Horse , Atlas Peak, Callaway, Mumm Napa Valley, Buena Vista, Callaway, Spain - Ruffino, Ysios, Tarsus, Campo Viejo, Argentina - Graffigna, Balbi, Mumm Terrazas,  New Zealand - Stoneleigh, Brancott, Cloudy Bay, Mexico - Domecq Mexico, Portugal - Roses, Australia - Green point, \r\n\r\nConsults for\r\nErrazuriz, Arboleda, Sena, Chadwick, Calitera, Atlas Peak, Argento, Ehret Family, Blue Rock, GiaDomella, Don Sebastiani and sons, Columbia, Covey Run, Mission Hill, Finca Origion \r\n\r\nMore than 100 of his wines have received 90 pts and above from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker. 20 of his wines have been included in the Wine Spectator Top 100\r\n\r\nNick Goldschmidt winemaker today\r\nGoldschmidt \r\nGoldschmidt, Forefathers, Boulder Bank, Goldschmidt daughters, \r\nFive Gold Hands\r\nRendition, Pampano, Red Bone, Embankment, Estribo\r\nGold Mark\r\nChacrus, Yardstick, Bush House Bay, Fidelity\r\nOther\r\nTrig Point, NZ One, Paua Rock, Luna Rosa, Shoreline, Farmers Market\r\n\r\nFirst vintages\r\nForefathers 1998, Goldschmidt 1999\r\n\r\nAppellations\r\nAustralia – Forefathers\r\nArgentina – Pampano, Chacras, Forefathers, Luna Rosa\r\nNew Zealand – Forefathers, Boulder Bank, Shoreline, NZ one, Farmers Market, Paua Rock, Bush House Bay\r\nUSA  \r\nAlexander Valley – Forefathers, Goldschmidt, Goldschmidt Plus, Katherine Goldschmidt, Fidelity, Embankment, Trig Point, \r\nNapa -  Goldschmidt, Plus, Hilary Goldschmidt,  Yardstick, \r\nDry Creek  - Red Bone, Chelsea Goldschmidt\r\n","website":"www.goldschmidtvineyards.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":62,"fn":"Daryl","ln":"Groom","title":"Owner and Winemaker, Groom Wines","location":"Healdsburg, CA","photo":"62.jpg","bio":"Daryl Groom is an owner and he winemaker for Groom. He resides in the USA where he was, until recently, Vice President of Winemaking \u0026 Operations for Peak Wines International. Prior to this position, he was both Senior White Winemaker and then Senior Red Winemaker for Penfolds Wines in Australia. \r\n\r\nHis love was producing Penfolds famed red wine, Grange, which he oversaw from 1984 until his move to the USA in 1990. Daryl makes regular trips back to South Australia to oversee all winemaking operations for Groom to ensure the highest quality product.\r\n\r\nDaryl’s passion for wine sees him judging and 5 international wine shows. He has been a guest speaker on the Queen Mary 2 and Seabourne cruise lines. He has also been a repeat guest on E television in the USA.\r\n\r\nQuarterly Review of Wines – Winemaker of the Year\r\nSan Francisco Chronicle – Winemaker of the Year\r\nDallas Morning News – Publishers Award, Winemaker of the Year\r\nHouston Chronicle – Winemaker of the Year\r\nLos Angeles Times – Winemaker of the Year\r\nMead on Wine – Winemaker of the Year\r\nFood \u0026 Wine – One of 11 Visionaries to Change the World of Wine\r\nDallas – TV Munson Award for International Accomplishment\r\nIWSC – International Winemaker of the Year\r\n","website":"groomwines.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":63,"fn":"Hunter ","ln":"Hammett, WSET® Advanced Certified","title":"Sommelier, Pyramid Restaurant, the Fairmont Dallas","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"63.jpg","bio":"It was the remarkable experience of traveling and studying abroad, begun while earning degrees in Art and English from the University of Dallas, which first inspired Hunter Hammett\u0027s passion for fine food and eclectic beverages.  Savoring local specialties - whether stone oven pizza margarita with Marino Bianco, or rohwurst with Hefe-Weisse Dunkel in Munich, or Mezcal with a lick of sea-salt and chili flakes in Oaxaca - sparked his continuing desire to discover diverse cultures and their hidden delicacies. \r\n\r\nDeveloping sales and service skills in the Dallas hospitality and retail industries, Hammett has achieved his Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, WSET® Advanced Certificate with Distinction in Wine \u0026 Spirits and Wine Century Club Treble credentials. \r\nBlending his knowledge of wine with fine dining service, he worked as the floor sommelier for The Mansion on Turtle Creek and Fearing\u0027s, Ritz-Carlton.  Currently, he directs the wine program for Pyramid Restaurant \u0026 Bar, The Fairmont Dallas.  There he researches and selects unique varietals, orchestrates menu pairings, and familiarizes the staff with the extensive wine cellar that he oversees.  His educational role also extends to guests as he offers an engaging and informative program entitled Grape Expressions which explores underrated varietals and growing regions from around the world.  Wine Spectator has recognized his wine program with an Award of Excellence in 2010.\r\n\r\nIn addition to his specialized wine training, Hammett completed the Certified Specialist of Spirits inaugural examination in 2008 and completed his BarSmarts Advanced Certificate in 2010.  Enlightened by the art of the cocktail and its applications, he began creating his own liqueurs which are now prominently featured on menus throughout The Fairmont Hotel.  Hammett was recognized by D Magazine editors, in the Best of Big D August 2010 issue, as a finalist for the Best Mixologist in Dallas. \r\nHammett serves as a judge for the Dallas Morning News and Grapevine International Wine Competitions.  He is a speaker for industry panels and charity functions, contributes to local newspaper articles and wine blogs, and has been featured in GQ, Esquire, and several national publications for his outstanding dedication to wine and spirits.\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":42,"fn":"Dave","ln":"Holstrom","title":"Owner, Guy du Vin","location":"Portland, OR","photo":"42.jpg","bio":"David Holstrom has his own wine consulting business, Guy du Vin, LLC and consults for restaurants in the Pacific Northwest and across the United States, including McCormick and Schmick’s Management Group, Restaurants Unlimited, Bruce Carey Restaurants and Nel Centro. He teaches wine classes in Portland, Oregon and has also created an innovative retail program focused on value-based, often esoteric wines via an email newsletter and the internet. In December of 2002, he launched www.guyduvin.com.\r\n\r\nIn 1999, 2000 and 2001 Southpark was awarded a Santé Award for Top West Coast Restaurant Bar and Wine Spectator’s top restaurant for wine lovers. The restaurant has also received accolades from Bon Appetit, Food Arts, Restaurant Hospitality, Food and Wine, and Nation’s Restaurant News for their food \u0026 wine. In April of 2002, David was awarded America’s Best Wine List Award in the fine dining category for Southpark Seafood Grill and Wine Bar from the Monterey Wine Festival. In 2004, he again captured the America\u0027s Best Wine List award, this time in the \"Under 50 Selections category\", for his work at Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen in Portland. He is 2010 Santé Restaurant Award winner for his work with Nel Centro in Portland Oregon.\r\n\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":52,"fn":"Margie Ferree","ln":"Jones Ph.D.","title":"Professor, The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona","location":"Pomona, CA","photo":"52.jpg","bio":"Margie is a Professor at the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona. She is a certified wine educator (CWE), a certified sommelier (CS) and the The WSET® Level 3 Award in Wines.  Margie has enjoyed judging at several international wine competition and is the steward to the Los Angeles International Wine Competition.  ","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":104,"fn":"James","ln":"Jordan","title":"Wine Director \u0026 General Manager, Crush Wine Shop ","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"104.jpg","bio":"A 24 year veteran of the Dallas retail wine busines specializing in procuring fine wines from all over the world  for anyone who shares the common interest of tasting, drinking and learning about well made wines.","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":111,"fn":"Rucker","ln":"Lewis","title":"Director of Market Development, Avante Beverages","location":"Plano, TX","photo":"111.jpg","bio":"","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":22,"fn":"Keith","ln":"Marton MD","title":"Owner, Marton Consulting","location":"Seattle, WA","photo":"22.jpg","bio":"Keith I. Marton, MD, is a seasoned internist and physician executive, but his friends and family know him as a wine geek. Whenever possible he has combined his love of medicine with his love of wine. In medical school his most frequent day trips were to the Napa valley wineries, where he began his education in all aspects of wine. \r\n\r\nOver the last 45 years he has done almost everything involving wine except make money. He  has been an avid winemaker and collector for 40 years, has regularly  led wine tastings  and has lectured extensively on the health effects of moderate wine consumption. He has been a leader  of several physician based  wine and health organizations and represented the US in an international organization (OIV) that develops standards for viticulture and winemaking. He has judged wine professionally for over  20 years and successfully passed the theory exam as a candidate the Master of Wine degree. ","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":149,"fn":"Sharron","ln":"McCarthy","title":"Vice President of Wine Education, Banfi Vintners","location":"Old Brookville, NY","photo":"149.jpg","bio":"Sharron McCarthy, VP of Wine Education at Banfi Vintners and Past President of the U.S. Society of Wine Educators, is a wine industry legend. Affectionately known as “America’s First Lady of Wine Ed,” Sharron has played an instrumental role in introducing Americans from all walks of life to a finer, more nuanced appreciation for the fruit of the vine.\r\n\r\nOver the past two decades, this lively, engaging, articulate woman has traveled the 50 states, sharing with others her boundless knowledge and enthusiasm for the joy of wine. From wine clubs and consumer groups, to law firms and Fortune 500 companies, to hospitality and grad students at some of America’s most prestigious centers of learning, to floor staff at wine stores and restaurants, in addition to frequent appearances on radio and TV, Sharron is in constant demand as one of the wine industry’s most popular and effective guest speakers.\r\n\r\nAt the heart of her success is a refreshingly unpretentious, progressive approach, firmly aimed at demystifying wine.\r\n\r\nBorn and raised in Long Island, NY, Sharron McCarthy’s wine business career began in 1978 when she joined the Consumer Affairs Department at Banfi Vintners, one of America’s premier names in imported fine wines. Her ability to master the intricacies of wine and communicate that knowledge to others swiftly became apparent. Within a short space of time she was promoted to Executive Director for Riunite wines, helping to create an array of innovative sales and marketing strategies that propelled Riunite into becoming America’s most popular wine.\r\n\r\nIn 1986, Sharron went on to form her own consulting agency. A partnership with the Italian Trade Commission in New York is widely credited with playing a pivotal part in advancing Italy to its current status as America’s leading source of imported wines. Sharron subsequently returned to Banfi Vintners in the mid-1990s, to pursue a new and -- in terms of the industry at the time – pioneering role focused exclusively on developing wine education.\r\n\r\nSharron served a three-year term as president of the Society of Wine Educators (SWE) from 2007-2010. With over 2,000 members, the Society is North America’s foremost source of wine education, offering workshops and seminars for industry professionals and consumers alike. SWE also confers two levels of professional credentials, the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE). Both programs entail a rigorous course of study.  Sharron was elected Director Emeritus of SWE in 2012. \r\n\r\nSharron lives in South Carolina. Though a hectic travel schedule allows for little time for extra-curricular activities, she does enjoy cooking and entertaining with friends.\r\n","website":"www.banfivintners.com/","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":100,"fn":"Roy","ln":"Mohr","title":"Beer and Wine Steward, Market Street United","location":"McKinney, TX","photo":"100.jpg","bio":"Beginning his passion for wine over 20 years ago, Roy  Mohr spent most of this time as a hobbyist, a wine enthusiast.  Only in the last 10 years has Roy turned his passion into a career.  Arriving in Dallas with the intentions of continuing as an engineer, an opportunity presented itself for Roy to begin as Wine Buyer for renowned retailer Neiman Marcus.\r\nDiscovering his calling in life, Roy has served in many facets of the industry.  Working as Cellar Master in the restaurant side, as a district sales manager for a well-respected Italian wine importer and now the Beer and Wine Steward for Market Street.\r\nWorking in the industry is not enough for Roy, he has opted to pursue the credentials as well.  He has recently joined the Court of Master Sommeliers successfully passing their Introductory Course and scheduled to take the Certified exam in May of this year. With no intentions of stopping at just the Certified level, he hopes to some day be asked to sit for the Master Sommelier exam. Roy is also taking the Certified Specialist of Wine exam this spring with the Society of Wine Educators and will continue to complete their Certified Wine Educator curriculum this summer.\r\nHaving been absent from the wine judging scene for a few years, Roy is honored to be back  with the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":23,"fn":"Sally","ln":"Mohr MS","title":"Master Sommelier","location":"Boulder, CO","photo":"23.jpg","bio":"Sally Mohr earned the title of Master Sommelier in 1995 and was the second woman in the United States to achieve that distinction.\r\n\r\nShe began her wine career as an employee at The Boulder Wine Merchant in 1983 and was a co-owner of this renowned specialty retail wine shop from 1986-2010. \r\n\r\nCurrently she is enjoying semi-retirement until the next chapter of her life unfolds.\r\n\r\nIn 2009, Sally passed the Level II Sake Specialist course conducted by John Gauntner in Japan. She became a board member of the Sake Education Council, whose mission is to spread the word of the joys of sake. Kanpai!\r\n\r\nShe continues to put her palate to the test by judging in various regional and international wine competitions. \r\n\r\nBesides wine, Sally enjoys spending time with her husband and two grown children. Her travels have taken her to many wine regions around the world and her long term goal is to feel the dirt between her toes in all of them.\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":116,"fn":"Steve","ln":"Murphey","title":"Mid-State Wine and Liquor","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"116.jpg","bio":"Steve Murphey CS, CWE\r\nborn: San Diego Calif.  8-8-56\r\ngrew up in Corpus Christi, Dayton OH, Sacramento, Richardson Batchelor Degree in European Studies  from UTD Chef in Dallas, Corvallis OR, and London ( 10 years )\r\n12 years in Retail wine and liquor sales\r\n12 years in Wholesail wine and liquor sales\r\n\r\nCS in 2007\r\nCWE in 2008\r\nCurrently employed with Mid-State Wine and Liquor calling on Dallas and Ft. Worth\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":25,"fn":"Bob","ln":"Paulinski MW","title":"Senior Vice President, Bevmo Stores ","location":"Concord, CA","photo":"25.jpg","bio":"Bob Paulinski, MW currently resides in Pleasant Hill, California. He is the Senior Vice President for Bevmo Stores which is a 150 outlets across California, Arizona and Washington. Previously, he has held a number of leadership positions across the US. Prior to accepting the Bevmo role in late 2013, he was based in Jacksonville, Florida for five years as Category Director of Wine/Spirits/Beer for Bi-Lo Holdings for 1000+ grocery stores throughout the southeastern US. Before that, he spent five years in Bentonville, Arkansas as Category Manager for Wine/Spirits/Beer for Sam’s Club US. He was an independent owner/operator of a specialty wine retail business for sixteen years in Traverse City, Michigan. In 2002, he became the ninetieth North American to pass the Master of Wine examination and in doing so, ended a four year period in which no new North American candidates had been awarded with a successful completion of the program. He remains active in the MW program, both as an instructor and as an examiner. He has also judged in several wine competitions throughout the US, Europe and South America. He has traveled extensively to the world’s wine regions, with a strong affinity to the wine regions of southern France and both Chile and Argentina. Outside of work and involvement in the MW program, Bob is an avid road cyclist, participating in race and long distance endurance events.  ","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":101,"fn":"Stone","ln":"Savage","title":"Proprietor, Stoney\u0027s Fine Wine and Market","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"101.jpg","bio":"Stone Savage has had a lifetime interest in wine. In 1997, with his wife Diana. he opened Stoney\u0027s Wine and Gifts. D Magazine named it one of the top 100 for food and drink and called it the best place for wines under 12 dollars. In 2005, again with his wife Diana he opened Stoney\u0027s Fine Wines and Market on Greenville Ave., a store featuring wine, spirits, imported beer, gifts and gourmet foods.","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":92,"fn":"Robert ","ln":"Small","title":"Professor Emeritus, Collins College, Cal Poly Pomona","location":"Pomona, CA","photo":"92.jpg","bio":"Robert Small, Ph.D. is professor emeritus and former dean (twice) of Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College of Hospitality Management where he still teaches wine courses.  He is Chairman of the Los Angeles International Wine \u0026 Spirits Competition and judges at several other international wine competitions throughout the country.  He has completed a university textbook, Beverage Basics: Understanding and Appreciating Wine, Beer, and Spirits to be released by John Wiley in spring, 2011.  \r\n\r\nBob also owns Dr. Bob’s Handcrafted IceCreams a manufacturer of premium ice cream sold at select markets, gourmet food stores, restaurants, clubs and hotels throughout California, over the internet throughout the U.S., and at the Los Angeles County Fair.  His products have been highlighted in Bon Appetite twice, Forbes Magazine, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Examiner, Sacramento Bee, Sunset Magazine and Los Angeles Weekly.\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":524,"fn":"Lance","ln":"Storer, CSW","title":"Domaine Wine Company","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"524.jpg","bio":"Lance is coming up on two decades of passionately serving wine lovers in Dallas. A true flavor craver, he tastes and studies as much as possible throughout the year in an effort to bring insight and singular perspective to each customer interaction.\r\n\r\nAs a component to his formal wine education, Lance has traveled extensively in Europe, South America and Australia, as well as California, Oregon and Washington. This has given him first hand perspective on vineyard site typicity, viticulture practices, and winemaking trends.\r\n\r\nCertifications:\r\n\r\n    Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers\r\n    Advanced Certificate with Distinction, Wine \u0026 Spirit Education Trust\r\n    Certified Specialist of Wine, Society of Wine Educators\r\n    l’Ecole du Vin, Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux\r\n    Prud’homme de Jurade de Saint-Emilion\r\n","website":"www.domainewinecompany.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":84,"fn":"Guy","ln":"Stout MS CWE","title":"Corporate Director Beverage Education, Glazer\u0027s Family of Companies","location":"Houston, TX","photo":"84.jpg","bio":"Guy is one of only 160 Master Sommelier (MS) in the world. He is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE), Certified Spirits Specialist (CSS) and on the Executive Board of Directors of the Society of Wine Educators. He is a founding Board member of the Texas Sommelier Association, specializing in education for the hospitality industry in Texas. Guy has been recognized as a Houston Icon for his contribution to the Wine and Food Industry of Texas. \r\nHe is the Corporate Director of Beverage Education for The Glazer’s Family of Companies, covering 14 states.\r\nGuy has been the guest featured “wine expert” on the PBS cooking series Cucina Amore with Damian Mandola and Johnny Carrabba, founders of the Carrabba’s Restaurant Chain. He has appeared on a number of radio and television talk shows covering wine and food. Most recently, Guy was a featured speaker at the Smithsonian Institute Folk Life Festival in Washington D.C. lecturing on the Texas wine industry’s current boom and the historical development of Texas wine.\r\nGuy is a member of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and owner, with wife Kimberly, of Stout Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country AVA, producing Syrah grapes.\r\nHe is an active wine judge for a variety of national competitions; including the L. A. County Fair, Dallas Morning News, Jefferson Cup, Texas Open and Houston Rodeo Wine Competition.\r\nHe is also a graduate of the Wine and Spirits Management Institute at the University of Houston Hilton School for Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Honorary Alumni.\r\nGuy is a member of the Houston Food and Beverage Managers Association, and an active spokesman for the adult beverage industry.\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":28,"fn":"Diane","ln":"Teitelbaum","title":"Wine Consultant, Owner, Diane Teitelbaum \u0026 Associates","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"28.jpg","bio":"Diane Teitelbaum has more than 25 years in the wine business as a consultant to the hospitality industry, airlines and collectors. She does legal appraisals, is an educator and holds a retail license for private client wine sales.  She has written about wine for newspapers and magazines for 20 years, and is now consulting the San Francisco Chronicle on restaurant lists for reviews.  She is an international professional wine judge, and is a contributor in two editions of Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine.  ","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":127,"fn":"Marguerite","ln":"Thomas","title":"Features Writer, winereviewonline.com, Columnist, Vineyard \u0026 Winery Management","location":"Baltimore, MD","photo":"127.jpg","bio":"MARGUERITE THOMAS is an award-winning photo-journalist specializing in wine, food and travel. She is a columnist at Wine Review Online, and is a columnist at Vineyard \u0026 Winery Management Magazine. Her photos and articles have appeared in scores of publications, including Gourmet, Elle, Santé, The Wine Enthusiast, Wine \u0026 Spirits, and National Geographic Traveler. She has written a cookbook, and two books about wines of the Eastern United States. She has frequently served as a judge in wine competitions in the US and Europe. Professional organizations to which she belongs include the Wine Media Guild, New York Wine Press, IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals), and Les Dames d’Escoffier, . She lives in Baltimore, Maryland, with her husband wine writer Paul Lukacs.","website":"winereviewonline.com/","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":132,"fn":"Paul","ln":"Wagner","title":"Founder, Balzac Communications","location":"Napa, CA","photo":"132.jpg","bio":" Paul Wagner studied sociology and education at U. C. Santa Cruz and classical guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Seville, Spain. \r\n           \r\n            After several positions in Public Relations and Marketing in the wine industry in Napa Valley, Mr. Wagner formed Balzac Communications \u0026 Marketing on April 1, 1991.  Current clients include Diageo Chateau \u0026 Estate Wines, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, Wagner Family of Wines, Wente Vineyards, Mendocino Wine Company, Simply Italian, Sogevinus of Portugal, Bodegas Salentein, Villa Trasqua, Miner Wines, Rioja Alavesa, and a host of other wine and food specialists. \r\n \r\nHe has been an instructor for Napa Valley College\u0027s Viticulture and Enology department for the past twenty-one years.  In addition he teaches at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, is a guest lecturer at many universities and has spoken at more than eighty conferences throughout the world on wine business, communications, wine tourism, public affairs, wine, and wine marketing.\r\n \r\nWith Liz Thach and Janeen Olsen, he authored a book:  Wine Marketing \u0026 Sales, Strategies for a Saturated Market by The Wine Appreciation Guild, which won the Gourmand International Award in 2008 for the best wine book of the year for professionals. A second edition of that work was published in 2011, and a third edition is underway.  He was a columnist for Vineyard \u0026 Winery Management Magazine for ten years, contributes to Allexperts.com in the field of wine and food, and served on the board of directors of the Society of Wine Educators for many years.  With Rick Kushman of Capital Public Radio, he hosts “Bottle Talk” at http://www.rickandpaulwine.com/  a weekly conversation about wine. \r\n \r\nPaul Wagner has judged many international wine competitions, is a founding member of the Academy of Wine Communications, a member of the nominations committee of the Culinary Institute of America’s Vintner’s Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Spadarini della Castellania di Soave in 2005.  In 2009 he was honored with a “Life Dedicated to Wine” award at the Feria Nacional del Vino (FENAVIN) in Spain.","website":"www.balzac.com","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":48,"fn":"Barbara","ln":"Werley, MS","title":"Sommelier/Beverage Director, Pappas Brothers Steakhouse","location":"Dallas, TX","photo":"48.jpg","bio":"Barbara Werley is Pappas Brothers Steakhouse\u0027s Master Sommelier and Beverage Director. She was the fourth American woman and one of only 18 women worldwide to have completed the rigorous exams. \r\nShe began her career in the back of the house; after graduating from The Culinary Institute of America, she worked in various hotel kitchens including the Ritz Carlton- Chicago and the famed Jockey Club in the Ritz Carlton-- Washington,D.C.\r\nChanging directions at the Ritz Carlton D.C., wine became her focus and she created several lists including a unique concept that caught the interest of Ronn Wiegand of Restaurant Wine Magazine. Werley eventually became the Wine Director for Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. She was the first woman sommelier in the city, and managed the wine program and training for 9 restaurants, the Showroom, Room Service and Catering. \r\nWhile in Las Vegas, Barbara was also an Adjunct Professor in the Harrah\u0027s School of Hotel Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and she worked the floor at the Palace Court, the first \"Gourmet Dining Room\" in Las Vegas. Before moving to Dallas she was at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.\r\nShe has consulted for several retailers and restauranteurs in Scottsdale,AZ and done consumer classes for Epicurean Wine Service, the Red Kangaroo and the Scottsdale Wine Society. \r\nBarbara has judged competitions including the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, The Governor\u0027s Cup in Virginia, the Jefferson Cup and the Los Angeles County Fair. She is a member of Women Chefs and Restauranteurs, and has been a member of Les Dames d\u0027Escoffier,D.C. Chapter, the Chaine de Rotisseurs (N.Virginia Chapter), a Board Member of the Society of Wine Educators, and was a speaker at the Monterey Wine Festival. Currently, Barbara is actively involved in the Court of Master Sommelier as an examiner.\r\n\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null},{"judgeID":75,"fn":"Lance","ln":"Wright","title":"Buyer, Costco","location":"Issequah, WA","photo":"75.jpg","bio":"Lance has enjoyed the wine buying position for the Texas region of Costco for the past six years. During this time he has been able to travel throughout the Northwest, California, France, Italy and an upcoming trip to Australia to create the best wine selection possible.  He has achieved his advanced certification with WSET (Wine and Spirits Educational Trust) and would like to pursue the diploma level in the future.  He has also had the opportunity to participate in the national wine buying team for Costco.\r\n     In between raising three young children and community commitments, one of Lance’s favorite things to do is sit in the backyard with good friends, good conversation and a great wine\r\n","website":"","competitions":null,"sommPanel":null}]);