San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Expert judges select the 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 third week of January, 52 judges from all aspects of the wine industry, including media, culinary and hospitality, education, winemaking and retail, gathered together to take part in a blind judging of more than 5,700 wine entries. Over four days, the judges determined the best of each category.
Each panel of judges was strategically coordinated by executive directors Bob and Scott Fraser and was designed to be balanced and diverse.
Carrie Boyle, owner of Carrie Boyle Wine Consulting, Sacramento, Calif.
Sean Brosnihan, estate sommelier and wine educator at Ramey Wine Cellars and WSET Level 2, Healdsburg, Calif.
Greg Burns, CEO, owner and winemaker at Jessie’s Grove Winery, Lodi, Calif.
Mark Chandler, partner at Burlington Chandler Wines, Lodi, Calif.
John Compisi, co-founder and lead writer at BitesFlightsand Sights.com, Reno, Nev.
Jennifer Cossey Hendrickson, vice president of marketing and communications at Bravo Spirits, McMinnville, Ore.
Stephanie Cruz-Green, owner and sommelier at Focused On Wine and ambassador for Boisset Collection, Kelseyville, Calif.
Ross Dawkins, head winemaker at Penrose Hill and Firstleaf, Napa, Calif.
Eric Degerman, president and CEO at Great Northwest Wine, Richland, Wash.
Sarah Doyle, wine reporter at the Press Democract, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Mark Drake, president and founder of the Drake Luxury Group, Novato, Calif.
Martha Dunne, practitioner and enthusiast, Sacramento, Calif.
Mike Dunne, author of “The Signature Wines of Superior California: 50 Wines that Define the Sierra Foothills, the Delta, Yolo and Lodi,” Sacramento, Calif.
Bob Ecker, freelance wine writer, photographer and founder of the Rosé Competition, Rio Vista, Calif.
Chris Ehrenberg, owner and winemaker at Ehrenberg Cellars, Livermore, Calif.
Mark Elcombe, Homeplace manager at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards, Windsor, Calif.
Rick Fraga, wine educator at Madrigal Family Winery, Calistoga, Calif.
J’nai Gaither, Sonoma correspondent for Decanter Magazine, Napa Vallley, Calif.
Sahar Gharai, owner and wine buyer of La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge, Petaluma, Calif.
John Giannini, retired winemaker and instructor, Lodi, Calif.
Denise Gill, retired wine professional, Healdsburg, Calif.
Pat Henderson, winemaking consultant and educator, Sonoma Valley, Calif.
Barry Herbst, wine director at Bottle Barn, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Jennifer Kelly, president of wine sales and marketing at Luxury Wine Partners, Petaluma, Calif.
Jaime Knee, sommelier, wine educator and writer of Petite WineTraveler.com, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Rick Kushman, wine commentator at Capital Public Radio and co-host of “Bottle Talk with Rick & Paul,” Sacramento, Calif.
Tony Lawrence, owner of “The Global Wine Chef” and “The World is his Kitchen,” Philadelphia, Pa.
Robert Marr, winemaker and proprietor at Marr Cellars, Davis, Calif.
Dick Mercer, presidente at Experience Italy, which designs custom wine and food trips, Sacramento, Calif.
Harry A. Merlo, owner and operator at Lago di Merlo Vineyards and Winery, Geyserville, Calif.
Ann Miller, marketing consultant at Les Bourgeois Vineyards, Rocheport, Mo.
Laura Ness, wine journalist at San Jose Mercury News and Los Gatos Magazine, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Rich Parducci, winemaker and managing partner at McNab Ridge Winery, Ukiah, Calif.
Nadia Pavlevska, professional sommelier, wine educator and founder of NP Wine and NP Somm Club, Los Angeles, Calif.
Bill Pesonen, grower and winemaker at William Gordon Winery, Cloverdale, Calif.
Greg Richtarek, wine and spirits manager at Safeway stores, Campbell, Calif.
Peg San Felippo, wine and spirits writer, Jupiter, Fla.
Christopher Sawyer, journalist, sommelier and founder of SawyerSomm. com, Sonoma, Calif.
Julie Schreiber, consulting winemaker at Chez Julie S, Healdsburg, Calif.
John Schumacher, president of Hallcrest Vineyards and founder of the Organic Wine Works, Felton, Calif.
Carol Shelton, owner and winemaker at Carol Shelton Wines, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Kristin Short, senior manager of wine and spirits education at E. & J. Gallo Winery, Healdsburg, Calif.
Jeff Slankard, beer and wine director at Barons Market, San Diego, Calif.
Eric Stine, winemaker at Gilt Edge and Wineco Inc., Kelseyville, Calif.
director of winemaking and vice president at Trentadue Winery and owner and winemaker at Miro Cellars, Cloverdale, Calif.
David Teig, executive chef at Palace Hotel, San Francisco, Calif.
Tiffany Tobey,
Dallas, Texas
Jim Trezise, president of WineAmerica, Washington DC
Spreti Valente, certified sommelier and senior buyer
sommelier, at Anne’s Boutique Wines, Costa Mesa, Calif.
Larry Van Aalst, retired sommelier and radio talk show host, Rohnert Park, Calif.
Tyler Weiper, lead associate at Brian Arden Winery, Calistoga, Calif.
Helena Welsh, executive director at Lake County Winery Association, Lake County, Calif.
Alicia Ysais, director at Delicato Family Vineyards, Manteca, Calif.