ws_results([{judgeID:13,fn:'Amy',ln:'Albert',title:'Senior Associate Editor, <em>Bon Appetit</em>',location:'Los Angeles, CA',photo:'13.jpg',bio:'Born in New York City but long attracted to California, Amy Albert moved to the Left Coast a few years back to join the editorial staff at Bon Appetit  and bonappetit.com in Los Angeles, where she covers artisanal ingredients, seasonal produce, cooking technique, and kitchen design. Before that, she spent almost ten years as an editor at Fine Cooking magazine. Amy has photographed, written, and edited stories on myriad aspects of wine, harvest and the winemaking process, and artisanal food crafting and growing, as well as cooking and kitchen design.\n\nAmy has given wine and cheese pairing seminars at The Boston Wine Expo, the Nantucket Food & Wine Festival, the Lake Tahoe Food & Wine Festival, and the Dallas Wine & Food Festival. She has worked as a winemaking blending consultant, and has passed the Level One Master Sommelier exam. She has judged many competitions in addition to The Dallas Morning News, including the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, Central Coast Wine Competition, the American Cheese Society Competition and the American Cheesemaker Awards. \n\nFluent in French, Amy has served as a press liaison at SOPEXA/Food & Wines From France. She also worked years in top restaurants with a focus on staff training to make wine easier to describe and to pair with food. \n\nBorn in Manhattan, Amy graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with honors in art history. Off the clock, she loves to cook, sing, play guitar, read, practice yoga, and pursue her newest passion, surfing.\n\n'},{judgeID:145,fn:'Michael',ln:'Apstein, MD',title:'Columnist, winereviewonline.com',location:'Boston, MA',photo:'145.jpg',bio:'Michael Apstein is a columnist and wine reviewer for WineReviewOnLine.com and contributes to the wine section of the San Francisco Chronicle.   In 2008, the French awarded him the Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne Press Trophy for an article about Pouilly-Fuissé.  As a free-lance writer, he wrote over 300 wine columns for The Boston Globe newspaper.  He received a James Beard Foundation Journalism Award in 2000 and was nominated again in 2004 and 2006.  \n\nHe has been a regular guest commentator on Whitley on Wine, a radio show based in San Diego and broadcast nationally.  \n\nSince 1980, his wine articles have appeared in a variety of local and national magazines and newspapers, including The Wine News, Boston Magazine, Sante Magazine, The Boston Phoenix, News West, The Southampton Press (Southampton, NY) and a physician’s website, PraxisPost.com.  He was the wine writer for the Grand Diplome Cooking Course Yearbook from 1981 until 1985.  \n\nHe is a well-respected wine educator who taught at the Boston Center for Adult Education for 20 years.  Bon Appetit magazine chose him as one of five instructors nationwide whose “focused classes closely examine a specific wine producing region or wine style.”  He has conducted numerous tastings and seminars for organizations, including the Radisson Cruise Line, the Boston Wine Festival, the Nantucket Wine Festival, The Boston Wine Expo, The Elizabeth Bishop Wine Resource Center at Boston University, The Providence Wine Festival, and the Society of Wine Educators.\n\nDr. Apstein judges frequently at national and international wine competitions including the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Critics Challenge Wine Competition, the LA County Fair, the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, The Old Ebbitt Grill International Wine for Oysters competition, and the Concours St. Marc in Chateauneuf du Pape.\n\nDr. Apstein is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Division of Gastroenterology at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  He lectures and writes frequently about wine and health.\n'},{judgeID:71,fn:'Todd',ln:'Bacon',title:'Italian Wine Specialist, Young\'s Columbia Wine Company',location:'Portland, OR',photo:'71.jpg',bio:'Living in the northwest, Todd feels lucky to be a part of the Italian wine scene.  Thanks to many passionate distributors and importers the Northwest is an incredible market for Italian wine.  Oregon may not be large in population; however, consumption per capita is at the top of the charts.  There are many Italian wines available in Oregon that you just can’t find in the rest of the country.\n\nColumbia Distributing first sent Todd to Italy in 1995 representing their direct import division known as the Admiralty Beverage Company.  In 1997 he became the head of the Admiralty portfolio with over 22 different producers, while continuing with his position of brand manager and on-premise sales manager.  2003 brought the promotion of state wide Italian Wine Specialist for Young’s Columbia Wine Company (parent).  Todd also represents the Admiralty Beverage portfolio in the Seattle market for Young’s Columbia.  \n\nToday, Todd is the ambassador of all things Italian at Young’s Columbia.  In addition to direct imports he oversees sales, brand and marketing issues with national importers such as: Winebow, dalla Terra, Kobrand and Remy Cointreau (Antinori).  In addition, Todd also is in charge of Italian wine education for the company and conducts bi monthly meetings with the sales staff of Young’s Columbia.  Last but not least, Todd spends much of his time on the street hugging up to the best Italian accounts in the state!  \n'},{judgeID:536,fn:'Scott',ln:'Barber',title:'Wine Director/Sommelier, John Tesar Restaurant Group',location:'The Woodlands, TX',photo:'536.jpg',bio:'Scott Barber, like many wine professionals, came to wine indirectly transitioning from a career in fine art. After graduating from Middlebury College with a major in Art History and Italian he spent 10 years working out of New York selling 19th Century American Paintings with Sotheby\'s, Christie\'s and various galleries in Manhattan. He developed an interest in wine after moving to San Francisco to work for Butterfield\'s auction house. This interest ran parallel to his art business as he worked in retail part-time both with large chains and boutique shops until he made the jump full time into the wine business taking a position as wine director with Stephan Pyles restaurant in Dallas. Scott also spent 3 months as an extern at The French Laundry in the Napa valley working with Paul Roberts, MS and the sommelier team managing the Grand Award winning cellar. Upon his return to Texas, he moved to the historic Mansion on Turtle Creek to work with Wine Director Michael Flynn and Chef John Tesar to revitalize the institution and update the 1100 label list.  Staying with Chef Tesar, Scott now manages the wine programs for the emerging John Tesar Restaurant Group in the Woodlands. Scott competed in the 2008 TexSom competition and won the title Texas Best Sommelier. He was also named Best Sommelier in Dallas by D Magazine for 2008.\n\nHe recently successfully completed the Advanced Sommelier Course with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is now working towards the Master Sommelier certification.\n'},{judgeID:565,fn:'Brian',ln:'Boomer',title:'Manager, Stephan Pyles',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'565.jpg',bio:'Mr. Brian Boomer is the Wine Director for Stephan Pyles Restaurant. A native of California, Brian started his career many years ago working in some of the country’s most authentic Italian restaurants in the Gaslamp District of San Diego.  He later found himself in San Francisco working at two of the cities oldest institutions: House of Prime Rib and Jack’s Restaurant.  Since moving to Dallas, Brian discovered a new diverse food and beverage scene to immerse himself in. He has experience working in some of the finest restaurants in the city including Kent Rathbun’s Abacus, Pappa’s Brothers Steakhouse, and Café Pacific.  He is best known at the restaurant for never turning down a round of golf.  When he’s not on the course, you can find him reading about wine or cooking for his family.  '},{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. He has been talking about wine, from its history to its complex flavors, for more than 25 years. He has shared this knowledge in some of the nation’s top restaurants, including The Mansion on Turtle Creek, A Rosewood Hotel, where he was director of wine and beverage.\n\n"Each wine is so unique with its own flavor and history," says Paul. "Whenever I try a new wine, I feel like a kid opening a present on Christmas Day."\n\nIn August 2006, D Magazine noted that Paul is one of three sommeliers in Dallas with the potential to become the city’s first Master Sommelier, a distinction held by only 138 sommeliers in the world. He is currently recognized as an Advanced Sommelier by Court Master Sommeliers and is studying to take the Master exam. He is a member of the Society of Wine Educators.\n\nAt Fearings at the Ritz Carlton, Paul oversees the restaurant’s beverage program, including extensive wine lists and special wine pairing menus. He joined the restaurant in 2007 from The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Previously, he worked at Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.  During his time as lead sommelier at Mary Elaine’s, he was a member of the team recognized with the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, AAA Five-Diamond Award and nomination for the James Beard Foundation’s: Best Wine Service in the Country: 2001, 2003 and 2004. \n\nAn avid reader and history buff, Paul also enjoys traveling to vineyards across the world to continue sharpening his education in the field.  \n'},{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.” \n\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 & Marketing with Hirst Imports. \n\nShelli \'s husband,  Andrew, has a wine and food degree from his native New Zealand but by day is a Chiropractor & 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. \n'},{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\'s 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. '},{judgeID:235,fn:'Neal',ln:'Caldwell',title:'Manager and Buyer, Pogo\'s Esoteric Wines & Spirits',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'32.jpg',bio:''},{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 and holds the Diploma Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust in London.  Chapa is the Chairman of the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition.  She 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 at COPIA and classes at the Professional Culinary Institute.  Chapa’s blog www.rebeccachapa.com explores wine, spirits, travel and culture.  \n\n'},{judgeID:131,fn:'Patrick',ln:'Comiskey',title:'Senior Correspondent, Wine & Spirits',location:'Los Angeles, CA ',photo:'131.jpg',bio:'Patrick Comiskey is a Senior Contributor for Wine & 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. \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. \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.\n'},{judgeID:87,fn:'Cole ',ln:'Danehower',title:'Co-Publisher & Wine Editor, Northwest Palate Magazine',location:'Portland, OR',photo:'87.jpg',bio:'Cole founded the Oregon Wine Report in 1999, reporting for consumers on the growing importance of Oregon’s wines. Featuring in-depth wine reviews, winemakers interviews, and winery profiles, the Oregon Wine Report won the James Beard Foundation Journalism Award in 2004 as the nation’s best wine and food newsletter, and was named by SAVEUR magazine as one of their "Top 100 Favorite Things" in food and wine.\n\nIn June of 2006, Cole merged the Oregon Wine Report with Northwest Palate, the leading consumer magazine helping readers explore, experience, and enjoy the Northwest Epicurean Lifestyle. As Co-Publisher and Wine Editor of this 20-year old magazine, Cole and his team provide in-depth and personal coverage of the wine, food, and culinary travel resources of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho.\n\nCole is also a frequent wine judge (Oregon State Fair, Northwest Wine Summit, Portland Indie Wine Festival, and others), a regional correspondent for Wines & Vines magazine and Appellation America.com, and a freelance wine and food writer whose work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Oregonian, the Eugene-Register Guard, and other print and online venues.\n'},{judgeID:35,fn:'Fernando',ln:'de Luna, CWE',title:'Editor/Writer, Wine Gazette, and Wine Educator for South Texas, Republic National Distributing Company - South Texas ',location:'San Antonio, TX',photo:'35.jpg',bio:'For the last 13 years, Fernando de Luna has written and edited the Wine Gazette, a wine newsletter sent to just over 70,000 subscribers in Texas. During this time he has also been the education director for Republic Beverage Company - South Texas, where he educates the fine wine selling team about the world of wine in order to increase their knowledge and, therefore, their credibility in the market place.\n\nDuring the last 10 years he has made yearly visits to the German wine country in order to taste each year’s wines from the most highly respected German wine growers in order to make decisions about which German wines will be offered by Republic Beverage Co. He also visits Burgundy to make those same buying decisions.\n\nHe has also judged at the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition (at both the first in 1985 and the 20th in 2005), the Lone Star State International Wine Competition, and the San Antonio Express News Wine Competition.\n\nHe is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, from which he received his Master of Arts in English with a French minor in 1974. In 1972 he graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Edward’s University with a major in English and a minor in French. From 1974 through 1978 he taught English at the University of Texas in Edinburg, Texas. From 1978 through 1989 he was a fine wine retailer in Austin, Texas before moving into the wholesale side of the wine trade. And since 1994 he has been education director at Block Distributing and then Republic Beverage Co. in San Antonio, Texas.\n'},{judgeID:120,fn:'Mike',ln:'Dunne',title:'Wine Writer, WineGigs.com',location:'Sacramento, CA',photo:'120.jpg',bio:'Mike Dunne, former award-winning food editor, wine columnist and restaurant critic for The Sacramento Bee, continues to write a weekly wine column for the paper and its dedicated wine web site, www.sacwineregion.com. In addition, he and his wife Martha provide consultation services, tastings, writings and tours through their business WineGigs.com, both in California and Mexico, where they keep a second home at San Jose del Cabo. Mike continues to remain active on the wine-competition circuit, joining panels for judgings that range from the large and international (Dallas) to the small and local (Fiddletown).\n\n'},{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 \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. \n\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, \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." \n\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.\n\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 & Cook, Wine Country Magazine and the St. Helena Star.\n\nTraci’s special interest is in finding vintners who create “labors of love” that civilize our daily lives. \n'},{judgeID:37,fn:'Dawnine',ln:'Dyer',title:'Co-Owner - Winemaker, Dyer Vineyard',location:'Calistoga, CA',photo:'37.jpg',bio:'Dawnine Dyer is a California native with a degree in Biology from UC Santa Cruz.  She began her career in the Wine Industry in 1974 at the Robert Mondavi Winery.   \n\nHired by the start up Domaine Chandon in 1976, she worked closely with the French winemaking team from Moet & Chandon to develop the styles and winemaking techniques that have led to unprecedented respect for the category of California Sparkling Wines.  As VP, Winemaker, Dyer was responsible for all winemaking at the 400,000 case winery.  During her 25 years at Domaine Chandon, Dyer spent considerable time in France, was involved in the 1986 founding of a sister winery, Domaine Chandon in Australia’s Yarra Valley and traveled frequently to Chandon’s facility in Argentina to oversee export products. \n\nIn 1993 Dawnine and her husband Bill planted a small Cabernet vineyard in the prestigious Diamond Mountain district of the Napa Valley and began making wine from the estate vineyard in 1996.   In 2000 after 25 years with Chandon, Dyer left to devote more time to Dyer Vineyard.  They now produce and market the wine from their vineyard under the Dyer label.\n\nDuring her career Dawnine Dyer has served as president of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, president of Napa Valley Wine Technical Group was a member of the founding board of Women for WineSense. Through her work with the NVV, Dawnine has become a recognized voice for the importance of Geographic Indications and Appellations of Origin to the Napa Valley and has been invited to speak on the issue in Geneva, Switzerland and Beijing, China. Dyer currently serves on the board of directors of the NVVA and the oversight committee for Farmworker Housing in Napa County.  She is on the board of Frogs Leap Winery and is a judge for several professional wine competitions.\n\n'},{judgeID:82,fn:'Ron',ln:'Edwards, MS',title:'Service and Beverage Consultant and Educator, Co-Host Wine Talk Radio',location:'Charlevoix, MI',photo:'82.jpg',bio:'As a Master Sommelier, Ron Edwards has to be considered one of the elite few in a group of wine and service professionals throughout the world. Today, there are only about 174 Master Sommeliers in the world and 102 in the United States with this internationally recognized credential. Edward’s affinity for wine, food, service and hospitality surpasses the majority of wine professionals and he also possesses extensive knowledge of spirits and beer for any situation.\n\nEdwards achieved the honor of Master Sommelier in 2005 and after many years in the restaurant industry, has become a consultant to all levels of the wine and hospitality trade. His enthusiasm for the subject, abundant energy and vast experience has inspired businesses throughout the country ranging from wine importers to fine restaurants and hotels. Trusted by the corporate world to entertain and impress key clients, Edwards is well-known for his expertise in coordinating wine pairings for special events. His passion and focus is to meet the consumer “where they are” and has taught thousands of everyday wine drinkers. Part of his consumer outreach is Wine Talk Radio, a consumer interactive talk show.  In addition to all this, he considers it a great privilege to train the next generation of professional sommeliers through the courses of The Court of Master Sommeliers.\n\nRon lives in Charlevoix, Michigan with his wife and 5 daughters.\n'},{judgeID:18,fn:'Nick',ln:'Goldschmidt',title:'Winemaker, Goldschmidt Vineyards',location:'Healdsburg, CA',photo:'18.jpg',bio:'Born and raised in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, Nick Goldschmidt pursued his university studies at the University of Canterbury at Christchurch in the South Island. Nick began his enduring love affair with viticulture and winemaking when he obtained a research position at Lincoln College University in 1982, making small lots of wine in the vineyards of the South Island. He studied there with noted viticulturist David Jackson and German winemaker Danny Schuster before graduating with distinction in horticulture.\n\nIn 1983, Nick enrolled at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Australia to specialize in viticultural studies. In 1985, he obtained a viticultural scholarship and worked the harvest season at the San Marino Winery in New Zealand under the tutelage of Michael Brajkovich, Master of Wine. \nIt was in this long-established family-owned winery where Nick learned many traditional winemaking techniques. When an opportunity to become assistant winemaker appeared at the neighboring Cooper\'s Creek Winery, Nick seized it, although the experience was a stark contrast to the traditional techniques he had been practicing.  After returning to South Australia, Nick completed his postgraduate studies in enology at Roseworthy Agricultural College in Australia. He then spent the next three years in New Zealand as assistant winemaker at the Babich Winery.\n\nIn a continuing effort to learn more about both old and new winegrowing practices throughout the world, Nick and his wife Yolyn set off in 1989 to travel the world\'s greatest viticultural areas.  After 18 months of concentrated experience around the world, Nick returned to California with an enviable diversity of winemaking experiences. He settled down in October of 1990 to capitalize on his knowledge as Simi\'s Associate Winemaker. Nick was promoted to Winemaker 1991 and became VP-Winemaker in 1996.\n\nIn May of 2003 Nick accepted the position of Executive Winemaker at Allied Domecq Wines USA for the company’s California portfolio of wines.  Nick works closely with the Operations Team comprised of Vineyard Operations, Grower Relations, Winemaking, Asset Material and Information Management\n'},{judgeID:566,fn:'Ralph',ln:'Graves',title:'Senior Wine Consultant, Goody-Goody Liquor',location:'Ft. Worth, TX',photo:'',bio:''},{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 & 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. \n\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.\n\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.\n\nQuarterly Review of Wines – Winemaker of the Year\nSan Francisco Chronicle – Winemaker of the Year\nDallas Morning News – Publishers Award, Winemaker of the Year\nHouston Chronicle – Winemaker of the Year\nLos Angeles Times – Winemaker of the Year\nMead on Wine – Winemaker of the Year\nFood & Wine – One of 11 Visionaries to Change the World of Wine\nDallas – TV Munson Award for International Accomplishment\nIWSC – International Winemaker of the Year\n'},{judgeID:63,fn:'Hunter ',ln:'Hammett, CSW',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’s 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.\nDeveloping sales and service skills in the Dallas hospitality and retail industries, Hammett achieved his Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, and Wine Century Club Doppler credentials.\nBlending his knowledge of wine with fine dining service, Hammett worked as the floor sommelier for The Mansion on Turtle Creek and Fearing’s, Ritz-Carlton.  In his present role, Hammett directs the wine program for The Pyramid Restaurant & Bar, Fairmont Dallas.  His position includes researching and selecting unique varietals, menu pairings, and conducting beverage training for staff members.  His educational role also provides guests with an engaging and informative program entitled Grape Expressions which explores underrated varietals and growing regions from around the world.  \nIn 2008, Hammett completed the inaugural examination of The Society of Wine Educators to become a Certified Specialist of Spirits.  Enlightened by the art of the cocktail and its applications, he began creating his own liqueurs and infusions which are now prominently featured on menus throughout The Fairmont Hotel.  His Vive le Coqtail tasting series allows guests the opportunity to experience his perspective on classic cocktails with a contemporary twist.\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.'},{judgeID:41,fn:'Drew',ln:'Hendricks, MS',title:'Director of Wine Education, Pappas Bros. ',location:'Houston, TX',photo:'41.jpg',bio:'Drew Hendricks is the Director of  Wine Education for Pappas Bros. \n\nHendricks has passed the Certified Wine Educator examination administered by the Society of Wine Educators. He also holds a degree in culinary arts.\n\nHendricks is a wine educator, teaching Wine and Spirit Education Trust courses, considered among the best wine education programs in the world. He also judges in many wine competitions and writes wine and spirits articles for local publications.\n'},{judgeID:109,fn:'Loni',ln:'Heyn',title:'Champagne and Port Specialist, Republic National Distributing Company',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'',bio:''},{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 Management Group and Bluehour. 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. In December of 2002, he launched www.guyduvin.com.\n\nWhile pursuing his Master’s degree in Russian Intellectual History at George Washington University, Holstrom spent time living and studying in the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.  It was during this time that the close proximity to Western Europe allowed Holstrom to travel extensively throughout France and Italy and develop a fascination and passion for wine.\n\nAfter returning to the States, Holstrom spent the next decade in the restaurant business with the Chart House, moving up over the years through management to the position of director of recruitment for the East Coast. \n\nIn the mid 1980’s, a position at the Williamsburg Inn &The Williamsburg Lodge as beverage manager allowed Holstrom to focus and fine tune his work.  This experience soon led him to Ford’s Colony Country Club in Virginia; an intimate restaurant known for its extensive list and numerous wine tasting events which also won Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence. \n\nA five-year stint at two critically acclaimed Italian restaurants in Rhode Island (Pizzico and Il Piccolo) allowed Holstrom the opportunity to gain extensive experience with Italian wines and food.  From there, Holstrom ventured to Alaska and the West Coast where eventually he made his way to Portland, Oregon where he became the director of the wine program at the Kimpton Group’s Pazzo Ristorante. He organized ongoing wine classes with an Italian focus, as well as cooking classes with the chefs. \n\nHolstrom joined the Portland based Heathman Group as wine director in 1998 overseeing the wine programs at the company’s four restaurants: The Heathman Restaurant, Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar, Hudson’s Bar & Grill and the Pavilion Trattoria.  He was responsible for wine education, tastings and list development. David continues to run the wine program at Southpark. \n\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 & 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\'s Best Wine List award, this time in the "Under 50 Selections category", for his work at Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen in Portland. \n'},{judgeID:537,fn:'Lane',ln:'Hoss',title:'Director of Marketing, Anthony\'s Restaurants',location:'Bellevue, WA',photo:'537.jpg',bio:'Lane has been active in the food and wine industry for over thirty years.  Her interest in wine began while she worked as a Captain and Wine Steward for the Edgewater Inn in Seattle, Washington.  Her current position with Anthony’s Restaurants combines her skills in marketing as well as her knowledge of the beverage arena of the hospitality industry.   Lane heads the Liquor, Beer and Wine Committees for Anthony’s and is a member of the Menu Planning Committee.  She coordinates the company’s wine selections, costing, promotion and service training.  \n\nLane has served on numerous wine committees including the Washington Wine Commission’s World Vinifera Conferences” Steering Committee and chair of the Washington Athletic Club Wine Committee.  She has also participated as a judge for numerous wine competitions and on tasting panels for various publications.\n\nLane was awarded the 1995 Restaurateur of the Year award by the Washington Wine Commission. At the 2003 Washington Wine Restaurant Awards, Anthony’s was awarded the Washington Wine First Award and Lane was the first recipient of the Walter Clore Honorarium Award.  In 2004, Anthony’s was awarded Restaurant of the Year.  Anthony’s wine program has been recognized each year by the commission with awards including Best Events Featuring Washington Wine, Best Out of State Wine Program, Winemaker’s Choice Award and Washington Wine Grand Award.  Anthony’s wine program has also been recognized by Wine Press Northwest and the Washington Association of Grape Growers. \n\nAn active member of the Washington Restaurant Association, Lane is a past chairperson of the Board of Directors.  She was their “Host of the Year” in 2003.  She has also been recognized with the National Restaurant Association Grassroots Leadership Award.  Lane is also a member of Les Dames D’ Escoffier. \n\nAnthony’s Restaurants owns and operates twenty five Northwest seafood restaurants in twenty waterfront locations in the greater Puget Sound area as well as their own seafood company, Anthony’s Seafood.  The company is privately owned by Seattle native, Budd Gould, the Gould family and a group of senior managers.   Lane and her husband, Verne Benedict, Jr. reside in Kenmore, Washington.\n'},{judgeID:55,fn:'George ',ln:'Howald',title:'Dallas/Fort Worth Sales Manager, Serendipity Wine Imports',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'55.jpg',bio:'George Howald has been involved with the Dallas food and wine scene for the last 20 years. He is currently the Dallas/Fort Worth Sales Manager, Serendipity Wine Imports.\n\nHe came to Seredipity from the Wine Department of Central Market, a 75,000 square foot gourmet grocery store where he managed a selection of over 2,500 wines. Previous to Central Market, George was the Wine Director for the five star Mansion on Turtle Creek Hotel. He\'s on the Editorial Advisory Board for Santé Magazine, and has written numerous articles for Santé and other publications. \n\nOn the Board for the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food, he\'s arranged many educational events for the organization and teaches wine classes at Central Market as well. When not professionally evaluating wine for the store, he\'s biking around White Rock Lake or experimenting with a new recipe gleaned from his coworkers.\n\n'},{judgeID:188,fn:'Jeffrey',ln:'Irish',title:'Wine & Spirits Broker, Magnolia Wine Co',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'188.jpg',bio:'Jeff Irish has been involved in the DFW food and wine industry for the last decade.  After a good run at some of Dallas\' finest restaurants, the prospect of mining gold in the distribution side was too much to resist when an opportunity opened with Horizon Wines.  The rest is headaches and history.'},{judgeID:52,fn:'Margie Ferree',ln:'Jones, Ph.D.',title:'Assistant Professor,  The Collins School of Hospitality Management, California State University, Pomona',location:'Pomona, CA',photo:'52.jpg',bio:'Margie Ferree Jones is an assistant professor at the Collins School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at California State Polytechnic University, where she currently teaches courses on wines, spirits, and beers, international wines, event management, and hospitality marketing.  Margie also coordinates the internship courses for the school.  She holds a Masters in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and is completing her doctorate at Claremont Graduate University.  \n\nProfessor Jones has served as the Steward for the Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition for the last five years.  She is also an active member of the Society of Wine Educators.  She also coordinates the Club Managers of America Association’s Business Management Institute held several times per year on campus.  \n'},{judgeID:104,fn:'James',ln:'Jordan',title:'Wine Director & 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.'},{judgeID:44,fn:'Beat',ln:'Kotoun',title:'Area Manager , Kobrand Corporation',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'44.jpg',bio:'Born in Bern, Switzerland\nAttended a 3-year chef apprenticeship in Lugano.\nGraduate of a hotel management school in Lucern.\n\nFluent in German, French, Italian and English.\n\nWorked as a chef in Switzerland, San Francisco, and at the Savoy Hotel in London.\n\nMoved to the U.S. in 1974, and was hired as the first State Manager for the Fine Wine Division of Barrett Hamilton, Inc., a wine and spirits wholesale company in Little Rock, Arkansas.\n\nHired by Kobrand Corporation, New York in 1987, and moved to Richardson, Texas where he continues to live and work as Area Sales Manager for North Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.\n\nGuest Lecturer at the University of North Texas and El Centro College.\n\nInducted into Les Compagnons Du Beaujolais in 2003.\n\nJudge for the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition 2005.\n\nFrequently conducts wine tastings and wine dinners in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.\n\nEnjoys traveling the wine regions of California, Italy and France, and is exceptionally proud of the warm relationships maintained with many wine producers.\n\nBicycles 30 to 100 miles a week.\n'},{judgeID:111,fn:'Rucker',ln:'Lewis',title:'Director of Market Development, Avante Beverages',location:'Plano, TX',photo:'111.jpg',bio:''},{judgeID:149,fn:'Sharron',ln:'McCarthy',title:'Vice President of Wine Education, Banfi Vintners',location:'Old Brookville, NY',photo:'149.jpg',bio:'Sharron McCarthy, President of the U.S. Society of Wine Educators and VP of Wine Education at Banfi Vintners, 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.\n\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.\n\nAt the heart of her success is a refreshingly unpretentious, progressive approach, firmly aimed at demystifying wine.\n\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.\n\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.\n\nAt the end of 2007 Sharron was elected to a three-year term as president of the Society of Wine Educators (SWE). 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.\n\nSharron McCarthy continues to make her home in Long Island. Though a hectic travel schedule allows for little time for extra-curricular activities, she does enjoy cooking and entertaining with friends.\n'},{judgeID:66,fn:'Whit',ln:'Meyers',title:'Texas Brand Manager, Virtuoso Selections, Ole Imports, Banville & Jones',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'66.jpg',bio:'Whit Meyers is currently involved in the import and Texas brand management of wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhone and Loire Valleys, Italy, and Spain. He has a long history in Dallas as a restaurateur at The Green Room and Jeroboam and as a music promoter/venue owner at Gypsy Tea Room and Trees. He has served as a judge at the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition over the last decade and is a longstanding member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association. He also has created a website called the Wine Elf for industry friends and family.'},{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.\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.\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.\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'},{judgeID:23,fn:'Sally',ln:'Mohr, MS',title:'Boulder Wine Merchant',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. She began her wine career as an employee at The Boulder Wine Merchant in 1983 and became a co-owner of this prestigious specialty retail wine shop in 1986.\nSally also assists several Boulder and Denver area restaurants with staff training and wine list development. With her assistance, Restaurant Kevin Taylor received the Wine Spectator Best of Excellence Award in 1999. She is the beverage columnist for the e-zine Front Range Living and a regular contributor to the publications Boulder Women’s Magazine and The Boulder Wine Merchant monthly newsletter. Sally enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for wine and food with the public through tastings, seminars, and wine festivals. She is a featured speaker at the Telluride Wine Festival, Epcot Food and Wine Festival and Denver’s Wines for Life. She has put her palate to the test by judging in several regional and international wine competitions. \nBesides wine, Sally enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 teenage children in the wonderful outdoors of Colorado. 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.\n'},{judgeID:116,fn:'Steve',ln:'Murphey',title:'Mid-State Wine and Liquor',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'116.jpg',bio:'Steve Murphey CS, CWE\nborn: San Diego Calif.  8-8-56\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 )\n12 years in Retail wine and liquor sales\n12 years in Wholesail wine and liquor sales\n\nCS in 2007\nCWE in 2008\nCurrently employed with Mid-State Wine and Liquor calling on Dallas and Ft. Worth\n'},{judgeID:527,fn:'Carla',ln:'Nichols',title:'',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'527.jpg',bio:'CARLA G. NICHOLS\nCURRENT POSITION\nTEXAS STATE SALES MANAGER – PRESTIGE WINE CELLARS, INC.\nSUMMARY\n24 YEARS IN THE WINE & SPIRITS INDUSTRY WITH SPECIALIZATION IN EDUCATION, WSET IC, SALES & MANAGEMENT FOCUSED.  STRATEGIC SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIPS.\nADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE\nREMY COINTREAU USA – SR MARKET MANAGER\nGLAZER COMPANYS – ON PREMISE WINE REPRESENTATIVE\nJULIUS SCHEPPS COMPANY ( RNDC TEXAS ) – ON PREMISE WINE REPRESENTATIVE\n'},{judgeID:25,fn:'Bob',ln:'Paulinski, MW',title:'Category Director - Wine/Spirits/Beer, Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. ',location:'Jacksonville, FL',photo:'25.jpg',bio:'Bob Paulinski, MW currently resides in Jacksonville, FL. He is the Category Director of Wine/Spirits/Beer for 500+ Winn-Dixie grocery stores, along with an additional 75 corporately owned wine and spirit outlets throughout the southeastern US. Prior to his current role, Bob was the Category Manager for Wine/Spirits/Beer for Sam’s Club US. Before that, for sixteen years, he was an independent owner/operator of a wine retail business in Traverse City, MI. 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 and the UK. Also, he has traveled extensively to the world’s wine regions, with a strong affinity to the wine regions of southern France and also 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 throughout the southern states. \n\n\n'},{judgeID:105,fn:'Paul',ln:'Pinnell',title:'Owner, Dali Wine Bar and Cellar',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'105.jpg',bio:'Considered the “Dean of Dallas dining”, Paul Pinnell brings the experience of operating Big D’s top dining institutions. After successful thirteen year tenure at the Crow Family owned Hilton Anatole Hotel as Nana General Manager, Paul was instrumental in the decent of Nana to “Five-Star” status by The Dallas Morning News. Orchestrating the highest level in both food and service, Nana reached a pinnacle after being named in USA Today as the number “33 rated restaurant of 2006” among top US hotels taken from Zagat Guide ratings and recently named as one of “America’s Top 50 Restaurants” by Gourmet Magazine. Dedication to the highest standards also enabled Nana to be consistently awarded ”Four-Star” by Mobil Travel Guide, “Four-Diamond” by AAA, honored with the DiRoNA Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America), and bestowed the Best of Award of Excellence by the Wine Spectator Magazine. In fact, Nana is one of only two Dallas restaurants who have collectively garnered these prestigious awards. Prior to Nana, Pinnell was developer and Managing Partner of the much acclaimed J Pinnell’s on Maple Avenue. Hollowed Dallas restaurant reigns also include Laurels at the Sheraton Park Central Hotel, Café Royal at the Plaza of America Hotel, Agnew’s with famed Southwestern chef—Dean Fearing, and Director of Operations for Universal Restaurants which included the Old Warsaw, Mario’s, Arthur’s, and Les Saisons. Highly respected amongst industry peers and loyal regular customers, Pinnell continues to be recognized as a restaurant icon and visionary best known for praise worthy abilities to “build Dallas’ finest culinary teams”. Passionate about wine, Paul Pinnell continues to be highly involved in both the local and national wine scene—with close personal ties to the California wine industry and its winemakers.\n\nPaul not only brings with him years of valuable experience and knowledge, but also brings a comprehensive list of clients who are considered the “who’s who” of Dallas.\n'},{judgeID:142,fn:'D\'Lynn',ln:'Proctor',title:'Sommelier & Cellar Educator, Graileys Fine Wines and Wine Cellar',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'142.jpg',bio:'D\'Lynn Proctor, born and raised in Dallas, has been part of the restaurant world since high school. He caught the wine bug early on while working as a server, and he maintains a strong belief in the service aspects inherent in the role of a sommelier. "I realized that it takes a team of people-from the kitchen crew to the runners and bussers-to the hosts and maitre d’s, to make the experience for a table," he says. "But it only takes one Wine Steward to make the experience memorable."\n\nHolding to those experiences and beliefs, D’Lynn decided to pursue the Court of Master Sommeliers program in 2004. After passing the rigorous series of exams administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers, D’Lynn received the Advanced Sommelier Diploma in 2008 on his first attempt -- only 3% of candidates have done so. D\'Lynn was also a finalist in The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Société Mondiale du Vin Best Young Sommelier in America Competition in 2008 and in 2009. Wine & Spirits Magazine in their October 2008 issue named D’Lynn Best New Sommelier in America 2008. He is an active candidate for the final daunting Master Sommelier examination. D’Lynn’s wine lists have been featured in Wine Spectator, and he has been featured in Wine & Spirits Magazine, Wine Enthusiasts, and Everyday With Rachel Ray.\n\nWhile well versed in many wines from around the world, D’Lynn’s interest in Italian wines led to the Italian Chamber of Commerce sponsoring him at the world’s largest wine expo, Vin Italy, in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In addition to his dedicated wine studies and travels, the making of wine has sparked his interest, and he made his first wine in 2007. He is currently producing a second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon named One Heart in Texas, with fruit sourced from Yountville and Oakville vineyards in the Napa Valley, California.\n'},{judgeID:568,fn:'Greg',ln:'Randle, CWE',title:'Founder, GoodTasteReport.com',location:'Austin, TX',photo:'568.jpg',bio:'Greg writes and lectures about wine and spirits. He consults with private wine collectors, retailers, restaurateurs, caterers, and corporate clients, in the worlds of taste, investment, marketing, merchandising, sales, education, and sensory perception. He founded the Good Taste Report ( http://GoodTasteReport.com ), a wine education website dedicated to exposing new and interesting wines that are outstanding examples of grape variety, place, and style, as well as wineries and organizations that deserve to be promoted. Greg is a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) from the Society of Wine Educators and is currently working towards the Diploma Wine and Spirits (DWS) from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust of England.'},{judgeID:143,fn:'Ron',ln:'Ruggless',title:'Southwest Editor, Nation\'s Restaurant News',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'143.jpg',bio:'Ron Ruggless is Southwest Bureau Chief for Nation’s Restaurant News, covering the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas for the largest industry trade weekly and website, NRN.COM.\n\nHe joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor.  Before Dallas, he worked at the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer. He also edited the Zagat Dining Guide for the Dallas-Fort Worth area for several years, and his work has appeared in Food & Wine and Self magazines.\n'},{judgeID:101,fn:'Stone',ln:'Savage',title:'Proprietor, Stoney\'s 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\'s 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\'s Fine Wines and Market on Greenville Ave., a store featuring wine, spirits, imported beer, gifts and gourmet foods.'},{judgeID:27,fn:'Matthew R.',ln:'Scott',title:'Director of Operations, Kent Rathbun Concepts ',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'27.jpg',bio:'Matthew Scott, Director of Operations, is the person responsible for the daily operations for Abacus and Jasper’s (Plano, Austin, and Houston) restaurants. Since Abacus opened in 1999, Matthew has been an integral part of the restaurant’s success as the team earned an illustrious five star rating from the Dallas Morning News.  Abacus is still a five star restaurant and has been featured in national publications such as; The USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Gourmet and Bon Appétit. Matthew has also been an integral part in the opening the three Jasper’s four star properties, hailed by Esquire as “one of America’s top new restaurants”. Matthew oversees the administrative and operational tasks associated with customer service, employees and venders. One of Matthew’s greatest passions is the wine and beverage programs of the restaurants, and it is there he is able to put his “fingerprint” on the company. Since its inception, Abacus’ wine list was recognized nationally by Food and Wine Magazine, July, 2000 edition, as “one of America’s best new wine lists”. Matthew is proud of Abacus’s long standing award winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Matthew’s techniques in wine and food pairing have also been featured by the Dallas Morning News. Moreover, he is a long standing judge of the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, which is one of the largest and most respected wine competition in the United States for over 25 years.\nMatthew made a reputation for himself for exemplary customer service prior to his involvement with Abacus and Jasper’s. Using his extraordinary customer service abilities in the hospitality industry, he began his 18 year career in 1990, working in the front office at the Scottsdale Princess Resort in Arizona. Matthew’s diligence earned a promotion to Valet Captain. As a member of the management team, Matthew’s dedication to customer service contributed to the Princess’ earning of the coveted its first AAA Five Diamond Award.\nIn 1992, Matthew returned to Dallas and joined the team at The Melrose Hotel’s Landmark Restaurant. It was there Matthew became manager and was responsible for the restaurant, bar, and room service departments. In addition to supervising personnel, Matthew was in charge of the budgetary and administrative duties of the three departments; he participated in contract negotiations and executed special events at the hotel.\nAfter leaving The Melrose Hotel, Matthew joined the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West. He was promoted to Front Office Manager. At Omni, Matthew oversaw all operations of four departments and increased hotel profit and guest satisfaction. Matthew was then transferred to the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Las Colinas, where he served as the Director of Guest Services. This division head position managed the concierge, bellmen, and valet departments of the Mobil Four Star Resort. Matthew was then promoted and transferred to St. Louis to take on the position of Assistant General Manager of the Omni Majestic Hotel. He led the Acquisition Management Team and was responsible for the development and operational performance of all departments of the hotel. Matthew continued his career at the Omni Charlotte where he served as the Director of Operations overseeing the day to day operations of the Mobil Four Star Hotel.\n'},{judgeID:160,fn:'Christopher',ln:'Shipp',title:'Wine Manager, Goody-Goody Liquor',location:'Little Elm, TX',photo:'160.jpg',bio:'Chris Shipp is the Wine Manager for the new Flagship store of Goody Goody Fine Wine & Spirits in Little Elm TX.  He began his wine career in 1999 by chance and has since refined his knowledge and expertise in the industry.  Chris has worked both the retail and sales sides of the business so he has a well-rounded base to work from. Wine has intrigued Chris from the start, every vintage, country and region in the world is a new experience and is ever-changing. Chris has traveled to Spain, Chile and Argentina to learn about the wine-making process in the field, from the vineyard managers all the way up to the winemakers. Chris plans to take wine courses to gain credentials within the industry.  He is thrilled to be involved in the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition.'},{judgeID:69,fn:'John',ln:'Shirley',title:'Manager & Wine Director, Mr. G\'s Plano',location:'Plano, TX',photo:'69.jpg',bio:''},{judgeID:561,fn:'Jerry',ln:'Shriver',title:'Veteran Journalist and Wine Judge',location:'New York, NY',photo:'',bio:'Jerry Shriver, 54, is a veteran journalist and wine judge, based in New York City. A 1979 graduate of The Ohio State University, he has written for numerous publications, including USA Today, Men’s Health and Town & Country. During his years writing about wine he has judged competitions in Europe, California, New York, Virginia and Florida, and has reported from nearly every major wine-producing region in the world. He currently resides in New York and New Orleans with his wife Debra, and pups Louie and Ella.'},{judgeID:569,fn:'Jeff',ln:'Siegel',title:'Free Lance Writer',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'569.jpg',bio:'Jeff Siegel writes the Wine Curmudgeon blog and is the wine columnist for the Advocate magazine group in Dallas and the Star-Telegram newspaper in Fort Worth.'},{judgeID:92,fn:'Robert ',ln:'Small',title:'Professor Emeritus, Collins College, Cal Poly Pomona',location:'Pomona, CA',photo:'92.jpg',bio:'Dr. Robert Small is professor at the Collins School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at California State Polytechnic University, where he currently teaches courses on wines, spirits and beers, beverage marketing and food and beverage management.  He holds an MBA and Ph.D. in Business Administration from The Claremont Graduate School.\n\nDr. Small has served as Chairman of the Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition since 1998 with the 2003 competition judging over 4000 entries in wine and olive oil. He also judges other highly regarded competitions nationwide including the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition and is an active member of the Society of Wine Educators.\n\nDr Small also owns Dr. Bob’s Handcrafted Ice Creams, which currently manufactures and distributes super premium ice cream throughout California and ships gift ice cream packs throughout the country.  Dr. Bob’s was recently highlighted on the Food Finds program on the Food Channel and been reviewed in The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Weekly, Sacramento Bee, Chocolatier Magazine, and KCBS radio in New York and San Francisco.\n'},{judgeID:524,fn:'Lance',ln:'Storer, CSW',title:'Corporate Fine Wine Buyer, Centennial Fine Wine & Spirits',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'524.jpg',bio:'As the corporate fine wine buyer for Centennial Fine Wine & Spirits, a 35 store chain based in Dallas, Lance draws on sixteen years of experience to secure the top wines from around the world. He travels to every major wine producing region in the world to gain firsthand perspective from growers, winemakers, negociants and importers, maintaining an exhaustive tasting schedule to assess the quality of every selection. In addition to purchasing, he dedicates a lot of time to education and staff development for Centennials wine consultant team and works closely with a wholesale division that services more than 700 restaurants in Dallas/Fort Worth. \n\nLance has written on the subject of wine for Centennial, DallasBlog and Dallas Wine Scene. His formal wine education began with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, followed by completion of level one with the Court of Master Sommeliers and l’Ecole du Vin through the CIVB (Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux). Lance’s dedication to the education and development of Bordeaux appreciation led to him being awarded Prud’homme de la Jurade de Saint-Emilion in 2008. Last year, he successfully completed the Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and plans to sit the Societies Certified Wine Educator exam this year. \n'},{judgeID:84,fn:'Guy',ln:'Stout, MS',title:'Corporate Director Beverage Education, Glazer\'s 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. \nHe is the Corporate Director of Beverage Education for The Glazer’s Family of Companies, covering 14 states.\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.\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.\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.\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.\nGuy is a member of the Houston Food and Beverage Managers Association, and an active spokesman for the adult beverage industry.\n'},{judgeID:28,fn:'Diane',ln:'Teitelbaum',title:'Wine Consultant, Owner, Diane Teitelbaum & Associates',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'28.jpg',bio:'Diane Teitelbaum has 27 years in the wine business as a consultant to hotels, restaurants and collectors; a wine educator for schools and the hospitality industry; an appraiser and a wine writer. Currently she is wine consultant to American Airlines regarding wine selection, education, etc.  She is an international level professional wine judge and writes about wine for newspapers and magazines.  She is a contributor to Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine. Her goal is to eliminate wine snobbery so that everyone can share the joy of wine. '},{judgeID:127,fn:'Marguerite',ln:'Thomas',title:'Travel Editor, The Wine News, Los Angeles Times International Syndicate/Tribune Media Services & winereviewonline.com',location:'Baltimore, MD',photo:'127.jpg',bio:'MARGUERITE THOMAS is an award-winning photo-journalist specializing in wine, food and travel.  She is the travel editor at The Wine News.  She is also a columnist for the Los Angeles Times International Syndicate and for Wine Review Online, and a co-writer of Wine With...(a food and wine pairing feature) for that website.    Her photos and articles have appeared in scores of publications, including Gourmet, Elle, Santé, The Wine Enthusiast, Wine & 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 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.'},{judgeID:47,fn:'James',ln:'Tidwell, MS',title:'Sommelier, Cafe on the Green, Four Seasons Resort and Club',location:'Irving, TX',photo:'47.jpg',bio:'James Tidwell is the Sommelier at Café on the Green, the premier restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Irving, Texas. \n\nHe is one of only four people in Texas to pass the Certified Wine Educator exam administered by the prestigious Society of Wine Educators. He was awarded the Society’s Banfi Award for the highest score of those passing the exam in the first attempt for 2003. In addition, Tidwell earned a diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust by completing a challenging two-year program culminating in an all-day examination. The program remains the highest level of structured wine study available in the U.S. to date and is considered prerequisite study for the Master of Wine examination. Also, he successfully completed the Advanced Course of the Court of Master Sommeliers after a rigorous three-day examination. Other studies include a Bachelor of Science majoring in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University and a degree with Honors from the Culinary Institute of America. \n\nHe has taught wine courses for the culinary program at the Art Institute of Dallas for two years, and has judged wine competitions nationally. He currently consults several wine collectors and organizations in the Dallas, TX, area.\n\nFormerly, Tidwell worked at several award-winning restaurants, including Restaurant Serenäde in Chatham, NJ, and Erna’s Elderberry House in Oakhurst, CA before joining Café on the Green at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in 2003. \n'},{judgeID:540,fn:'Jennifer',ln:'Uygur',title:'Manager Wine and Beer Department, Dallas Central Market',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'540.jpg',bio:'Jennifer is the Manager of the Wine & Beer Department at Central Market Dallas. An Italophile since her first trip to the country at age 14, she has spent the better part of two decades honing her taste buds on Italian food and wine through travel and classes. A member of Slow Food Dallas since 2004, she served as the Chapter Leader in 2008. In 2006, she joined her chef husband, David, in representing Dallas as an observer at Slow Food’s Terra Madre World Meeting of Food Communities in Turin, Italy. While in Turin, she took part in intensive, focused taste seminars guided by winemakers and writers from Italy and France. In 2009, she spent time in South America, exploring the wines of Chile and Argentina. She has also completed the International Sommelier Guild’s Certifications I and II. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys reading, cooking and doing lots of tasty research to develop a wine list for the restaurant her husband is planning to open.\n\n'},{judgeID:29,fn:'Wendie',ln:'Waters',title:'Director of Marketing & Purchasing/Wine, Beverage City, Quick Way Group, Inc.',location:'Dallas, TX',photo:'29.jpg',bio:'Prior to moving to Dallas in the winter of 1999, I was doing the two things I love the most: studying wine and traveling. During late spring through early fall of every year, I was the Beverage Director on the American Queen, a luxury cruise vessel operated by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Each season, when the weather started to turn cool, I headed to Vail, Colorado where I filled the role of Banquet Manager/Beverage, during their busy ski seasons. \n\nIn 1999, I decided to move closer to my father, who lives in Dallas. I began working as a Wine Director for Quik-Way Group, Inc. in October of that year. Currently, I still work for Quik-Way, as the Director of Marketing/Wine and Purchasing Agent/Wine. \n\n'},{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\'s Master Sommelier and Beverage Director. She was the fourth American woman and one of only 13 women worldwide to have completed the rigorous exams. \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.\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. \nWhile in Las Vegas, Barbara was also an Adjunct Professor in the Harrah\'s 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.\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. \nBarbara has judged competitions including the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, The Governor\'s 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\'Escoffier,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.\n\n'},{judgeID:567,fn:'Trey',ln:'Williamson',title:'Wine Buyer & Senior Wine Specialist, Farpointe Cellar',location:'Southlake, TX',photo:'567.jpg',bio:'James (Trey) Williamson is the Wine Buyer and Senior Wine Specialist at Southlake\'s Farpointe Cellar--recently voted Channel 8\'s WFAA-List best wine store in the Metroplex. Trey attended the University of Texas in Austin and was formally trained in Geology before wine became his passion. In addition to tasting and buying wine Trey also builds wine lists for Farpointe\'s Tasting Room, conducts on and off-site private tastings, and teaches wine classes. His specialty lies in Italian wine; he has traveled extensively throughout Italy meeting talented winemakers and touring many vineyards and wineries.  '},{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.\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\n'}]);