Though the second annual Winemaker Challenge looms in the distant future — it’s just one week before the Super Bowl — I have started the process of recruiting judges for this unique event.
Winemaker Challenge is a different breed of wine competition, for all of the judges are winemakers. One other wine competition I know of utilizes winemakers exclusively, but the format is different. The Winemaker Challenge deploys the winemakers in panels of three winemakers per to evaluate and award medals to deserving wines.
As I began to round up judges for the 2011 Winemaker Challenge, I knew I wanted many of the same judges from the inaugural Winemaker Challenge to return, but I also wanted to infuse new faces to keep the dialogue and interaction fresh.
So this year we’ve added the talented Mike Sullivan to the roster. Sullivan is a Pinot Noir specialist from the Russian River Valley, and winemaker and part owner of Benovia.
Also Stephanie Putnam of Raymond Vineyards. Raymond was recently purchased by Jean-Charles Boisset, whose mission is to convert the vineyards at the venerable Napa Valley winery to biodynamic and revolutionize how grapes are grown and wines are made in America’s most renowned wine district. One of Boisset’s first moves was to pirate Putnam away from the prestigous Far Niente winery.
We also got a commitment this week from Steve Edmunds of Edmunds St. John, a Rhone specialist. If boring Syrah is the rule in California, Edmunds St. John is the exception. Steve Edmunds is responsible for that and we’re thrilled to have him on the 2011 team.
Morgan Clendenen is a refreshing new face as well. Owner and winemaker of Cold Heaven Cellars in Santa Barbara County, Clendenen ended up on my short list after a discussion we had about her winemaking philosophy. She prefers to make wines with structure, and she appreciates acidity, minerality and the need to respect wines that go with food. Someone has to stick up for wines made in that style, and Morgan will.
Then there is the estimable Roman Roth, the German-born winemaker at Long Island’s Wolffer Estate. Roman has judged at the San Diego International Wine Competition for a number of years, but this will be his first go at Winemaker Challenge. Roth not only has a remarkable palate, he also has a pretty good handle on the winemaking challenges and triumphs of the eastern United States, particularly New York.
And, if we’re lucky, the multi-talented Roth will yodel for us at the Saturday night judges’ banquet!
PHOTO: One of the new faces, pictured above, is winemaker Morgan Clendenen of Cold Heaven Cellars.
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