Here Come the Judges

Mar 19, 2011 | Blog

The 28th annual San Diego International Wine Competition is just around the corner and we’re locking in the judges who made a commitment months ago to come to the Westgate Hotel in downtown San Diego, April 2-3, to help us evaluate the approximately 2000 wines entered in this year’s competiton.

Selection of qualified judges is probably the most important aspect of my job as Director. We have a talented group this year, of which I am very proud. The updated list:

CHIEF JUDGE

Michael FranzMichael Franz, Editor, Wine Review Online

JUDGES

Hans Backhoff, Winemaker, Monte Xanic, Baja, Mexico

Thrace Bromberger, Gustavo Thrace & Tool Box, Napa Valley, CA

Richard Carey, Winemaker, Vitis Research, Pennsylvania

Kimberly Charles, Charles Communications

Will Costello, Sommelier, Addison, Del Mar, CA

Etienne Cowper, Winemaker, Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula, CA

Adam Curling, Sommelier, Wynn Bartolotta, Las Vegas, NV

Thom Curry, Temecula Olive Oil, Temecula, CA

Mark Deegan, Henry Wine Group, San Diego, CA

Ken Deis, Crooked Vines, Livermore, CA

Traci DuttonTraci Dutton, Sommelier, Culinary Institute of America, St. Helena, CA

Bob Foster, California Grapevine, San Diego, CA

Bill Gillespie, Torrey Wines, San Diego, CA

Katherine Jarvis, Jarvis Communications, Los Angeles

Linda Jones-McKee, Wines & Vines, Pennsylvania

Heather Nenow, Winemaker, Turner Road, Lodi, CA

Vernon Kindred, Winemaker, Fallbrook Winery, Fallbrook, CA

Adam LaZarre, Winemaker, Villa San-Juliette, Paso Robles, CA

Kate McHugh, Quintessential Wines, San Diego, CA

Matt Ortman, Winemaker, Ortman Family Vineyards, San Luis Obispo, CA

Bob FosterNicholas Palumbo, Palumbo Wines, Temecula, CA

Deborah Parker-Wong, Tasting Panel Magazine, San Francisco, CA

Jeremy Parzen, DO Bianchi Wine Blog

Ray Pompilio, Wegman’s Food Markets

Ron Rawlinson, Ortman Family Vineyards, San Luis Obispo, CA

Lisa Redwine, Sommelier, The Shores, La Jolla, CA

Mike Stepanovich, SWE, Bakersfield, CA

David Stevens, Senior Winemaking Consultant, Davon International, Napa Valley, CA

Jim Swelgin, Maurice Carrie, Temecula, CA

Kevin Walsh, Henry Wine Group, San Diego, CA

Duncan Williams, Winemaker, Fallbrook Winery, Fallbrook, CA

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