2025 Wine & Spirits Judges Check back often as we add to our judging roster! Judging will take place over two days in San Diego. Wines and spirits are judged independently by panels with expertise in the beverage category being evaluated. All judging is performed in a double-blind tasting format. CHIEF JUDGE, WINE Michael Franz Editor, WineReviewOnline.com Lead Wine Reviewer, The Tasting Panel Washington D.C. CHIEF JUDGE, SPIRITS Maurice diMarino Beverage Director Cohn Restaurant Group San Diego, CA OUR JUDGES Michael Cervin Wine & Spirits Journalist, Author Santa Barbara, CA Traci Dutton
Certified Sommelier Culinary Institute of America St. Helena, CA Nicholas George GM & Wine Director La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club La Jolla, CA Wes Hagen Estate Host/Brand Ambassador Ranchos de Ontiveros/Native9 Wines Santa Maria, CA Stacie Hunt Wine & Food Writer Certified Silver Pin Sommelier AIS/WSA VP National Assoc. of Wine Retailers Los Angeles, CA Tim McDonald Proprietor Wine & Spirits Spoken Here, PR Napa, CA Zack Musick Director of Education The German Wine Collection Orange County, CA
Mark Newman Accolade Brands Wine & Spirits Oceanside, CA Gary Parker Proprietor WineSeller & Brasserie San Diego, CA Lisa Redwine General Manager & Wine Director Burtech Family Vineyard Winery Vista, CA Jeff Slankard Director of Wine, Beer & Spirits Baron's Market San Diego, CA Willem van Leuven Certified Specialist of Spirits Market Manager, Heaven Hill Brands San Diego, CA Kevin Walsh Springboard Wine Company San Diego, CA Tami Wong Certified Sommelier Stay Classy Selections San Diego, CA Gerard Zanzonico Proprietor/Winemaker Vinos Zanzonico Baja California, Mexico
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