Wine judging panel diversity is a key to competition

The 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition invited over 50 judges representing winemaking, wine education, trade, hospitality, culinary, media and other wine/food sectors to judge more than 5,600 wines from over 1,000 North American wineries.

Jusden Aumand,

Head of buying at TriVin Imports, New Rochelle, N.Y.

Sue Bonzell,

Author and radio host at KZST Radio Group, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Carrie Boyle,

Wine writer at Sacramento Magazine, Sacramento, Calif.

Sean Brosnihan,

Wine and beverage manager at John Ash & Co., Healdsburg, Calif.

CEO, owner and winemaker at Jessie’s Grove Winery, Lodi, Calif.

Partner at Burlington Chandler Wines, Lodi, Calif.

Greg Burns, Mark Chandler, John Compisi,

Wine, food and travel writer and founder of Bites FlightsandSights.com, Truckee, Calif.

Stephanie Cruz Green,

Owner and director of Sage Lodge, Pray,

Mont.

Ross Dawkins,

Head winemaker at Penrose Hill and Firstleaf, Napa, Calif.

Maureen Downey,

Owner and CEO at Chai Consulting and Chai Vault, San Francisco, Calif.

Freelance writer and photographer and founder of The Rosé Competition, Rio Vista, Calif.

Owner and winemaker at Ehrenberg Cellars, Livermore, Calif.

Hospitality manager at SonomaCutrer Vineyards, Windsor, Calif.

Wine educator and consultant, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Tasting room assistant manager at Dutcher Crossing Winery, Healdsburg, Calif.

Bob Ecker, Chris Ehrenberg, Mark Elcombe, Rick Fraga, Amanda Garland,

BRIAN FEULNER More than 50 judges gathered at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair to judge over 5,600 North American wines.