San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Experts select best wines in North America
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition takes the evaluation of all wines entered into its competition very seriously, trusting only the best palates to taste and judge. During the second week of January, 66 judges from all aspects of the wine industry, including media, restaurant and hospitality, education, winemaking and retail, gathered together to take part in a blind judging of more than 6,700 wine entries. Over four days, the judges determined the best of each category.
Each panel of judges was strategically coordinated by codirectors Bob and Scott Fraser and was designed to be balanced and diverse.
Director of Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Fla.
Writer of “Jeff’s Corner,” educator and tour director at Grape Creek Vineyards, Fredericksburg, Texas.
Author and radio host at KZST Radio Group, Santa Rosa, Calif.
President emeritus of Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, Fairfax, Va.
Wine educator, wine education and consultation, Talmage, Calif.
CEO, owner and winemaker of Jessie’s Grove
Vineyards and Winery, Lodi, Calif.
Chief judge at California State Fair Wine Competition, Lodi, Calif.
Head winemaker at Penrose Hill and Firstleaf, Napa, Calif.
President and CEO of Great Northwest Wine, Kennewick, Wash.
Sommelier, wine journalist and educator, “The Italian Wine Girl,” San Diego, Calif.
Account director at Calhoun & Company Communications, San Francisco, Calif.