The Sommeliers Choice Awards (SCA) 2026 is proud to announce the first round of distinguished judges who will evaluate wines in this year’s competition. Returning on May 18, 2026, in Chicago, the SCA brings together some of the most respected sommeliers, beverage directors, and industry leaders whose expertise ensures that winning wines are truly “made for the on-premise.”

Featured Judges in the First Round

Heather Durham Birley

MBA Wine & Spirits, WSET Diploma, and Brand Manager at Winesellers, Ltd. Heather’s global perspective and strong educational background will be key in evaluating wines for both quality and commercial potential.

Jesse Becker MS

Master Sommelier at Veritable Wines & Estates. With international experience and one of the highest certifications in the industry, Jesse brings unmatched technical expertise to the judging panel.

Kathleen Hawkins, Wine Director at Lettuce Entertain You/St. Regis Hotel, Chicago.

Kat Hawkins

Wine Director at Miru, Tre Dita, and The St. Regis Chicago. Kat curates some of Chicago’s most exciting wine programs, bringing on-premise experience and deep knowledge of pairing and guest preferences.

Lee Schlesinger, MBA, DipWSET

Vice President of Portfolio Management & Education at Winebow. Lee’s unique combination of advanced qualifications and portfolio leadership ensures that medal-winning wines meet both taste and market criteria.

Sandra Gomes Rocha, CEO & Co-Founder of Diniz Cellars, Wine Importer in the USA

Sandra Gomes Rocha

CEO & Co-Founder of Diniz Cellars. Sandra contributes a global entrepreneurial outlook with strong ties to Central and Eastern European wine markets.

Other Confirmed Judges

The 2026 judging panel also welcomes:

Jesse Hiney – General Manager at The Florentine, Certified Sommelier

Kasia Kutryba – Wine Consultant at Binny’s Beverage Depot

Marsha Wright – Wine Director at Dineamic Hospitality

Paul Solomon – Director of Operations, Vistro Prime and Petterino’s

Charlotte Marshall – Partner & Director of Sommelier Services, Techtonic Hospitality

Michael Marsico – Sr. Director, Ops Services & Beverage, Maggiano’s Little Italy

Judging Philosophy

At the Sommeliers Choice Awards, wines are judged by the very people who curate lists and interact with guests daily. Each wine is evaluated on quality, value, food-pairability, and packaging — criteria designed to reflect real-world buying decisions.

Winning a medal at SCA means much more than achieving a score; it represents approval from the sommeliers, buyers, and beverage leaders shaping today’s hospitality industry.

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Looking Ahead

The full 2026 panel will be announced in the coming weeks, featuring additional master sommeliers, wine directors, and industry professionals from around the world. Stay tuned for updates as we build toward another exciting competition in 2026.

Get Super Early Bird Pricing Till October 31, 2025.

Wineries from both domestic and international markets are invited to enter their wines into the 2026 Sommeliers' Choice Awards. Producers who submit by October 31, 2025, can take advantage of the Super Early Bird pricing, securing maximum value and visibility. 

Entering SCA means more than just competing for a medal — it’s a chance to have your wines evaluated by the very professionals who influence on-premise purchasing decisions. A win at SCA provides actionable feedback, credibility with trade buyers, and powerful marketing tools to grow distribution and awareness in key markets.

Submit your wines today and showcase your brand to the judges shaping tomorrow’s wine lists — secure Super Early Bird pricing before October 31.

Also Read:
Meet the Expert: Sandra Gomes Rocha Joins the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2026
What Makes the Sommeliers' Choice Awards Unique?
Introducing Our 2026 Regional & Category Experts: Marinela Ardelean and Irem Eren