2016 Sunset International Wine Competition Judges
The fifth annual Sunset International Wine Competition's judging panel includes these notable winemakers, journalists, and wine educators
WINEMAKERS
Honorary Chair: Joel Peterson, Founder and Winemaker, Ravenswood, and Senior Vice President, Constellation Brands
- Neil Bernardi, Vice President for Winemaking, Duckhorn Wine Company
- Bob Betz, Master of Wine, and Founder and Winemaker, Betz Family Winery
- Gary Eberle, Owner, Eberle Winery
- Wes Hagen, Consulting Winemaker and Brand Ambassador, J. Wilkes Wines
- Adam LaZarre, Winemaker, Wine Hooligans; Owner and Winemaker, LaZarre Wines
- Steve Lohr, Chairman and CEO, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
- Rob McNeill, Director of Winemaking, Don Sebastiani & SonsKimberlee Nicholls, Winemaker, Markham Vineyards
- Marcus Notaro, Winemaker, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars
- Erik Olsen, VP, Chief Winemaker, Constellation Wines U.S.
- Craig Roemer, Winemaking and Vineyard Consultant, Craig Roemer Wines
- Christian Roguenant, Vice President for Winemaking, Niven Family Wine Estate
- Thomas K. Stutz, Winemaker, La Rochelle Winery
- Mike Sullivan, Winemaker, General Manager, and Partner, Benovia Winery
- Bob Swain, Winemaker, Mendocino Wine Company
JOURNALISTS
Honorary Chair: Sara Schneider, Wine Editor, Sunset Magazine
- Virginie Boone, California Reviewer, Wine Enthusiast
- Randy Caparoso, Bottom Line Editor, Sommelier Journal
- Tina Caputo, Columnist, Wine Review Online
- Mike Dunne, Wine Columnist and Former Restaurant Critic and Food Editor, Sacramento Bee; Publisher, A Year in Wine
- Ziggy Eschliman, Radio Host, TV Personality, and Rock-n-Roll Sommelier
- Linda Murphy, Executive Editor, Sonoma magazine, and Co-Author, American Wine
- Cyril Penn, Editor, Wine Business Monthly
- Andy Perdue, Editor, Wine Press Northwest
- Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier for www.Likelii.com, Wine Writer and Consultant
- Leslie Sbrocco, Founder, Thirsty Girl; Author, Wine for Women; and KQED TV Host, Check, Please!
- Tim Teichgraeber, Wine and Spirits Writer, Opus Vino, San Francisco Chronicle, Cooking Club, and City Pages
- Robert Whitley, Wine Columnist, Creators Syndicate, and Publisher, Wine Review Online.com
- David Wilson, Host, Grape Encounters Radio
TRADE/EDUCATION
- Jim Blumling, VP of Alcohol and Tobacco, Safeway, Inc.
- Mark Chandler, Certified Specialist of Wine; Owner, Chandler & Company; Mayor, Lodi
- Kimberly Charles, Diploma in Wine and Spirits and Founder, Charles Communications Associates, LLC
- Mark Davidson, Education Director, Wine Australia
- Patrick D. Dodd, Certified Sommelier, Certified Wine Educator, and Senior Director, E. & J. Gallo Winery
- Kathryn House, Founder, House of Wine
- Alex Joerger, Director & Division Merchandise Manager, Wine, Beer & Spirits, Cost Plus World Market
- Elaine Marshall, Advanced Certified Wine Professional; Wine Educator, Culinary Institute of America; and Owner, Marshall Wine Company
- Tim Marson, MW, Buyer, Global Wine Company
- Sally Mohr, Master Sommelier
- Christopher O’Gorman, Director of Communications, Rodney Strong Wine Estates
- Bob Paulinski, Master of Wine, Senior Vice President of Wine, BevMo!
- Jean Arnold Sessions, Executive Director, Sonoma County Vintners
- Dawn Smith, Sommelier
- David Stevens, Senior Consultant, Davon International
- Emily Wines, Master Sommelier and Wine Director, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants
- Debbie Zachareas, Partner, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Oxbow Wine & Cheese Merchant
LOGISTICS MANAGER: Rebecca Murphy, Founder, Dallas Morning News & TexSom International Wine Competition