Super Early Bird Ends
October 31, 2024
Judging
Date
May 19, 2025
Winners Announcement
June 10, 2025
The Judges
Jill Zimorski MS,,DipWSET
Master Sommelier and Adjunct Professor, DePaul University
Jesse Becker MS
Master Sommelier at Veritable Wines & Estates KG, San Francisco
Wayne Belding MS
Master Sommelier and Partner at Preferabli, Colorado
Mark Guillaudeu MS
Master Sommelier and Sommelier at Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix
Ira Harmon MS
Master Sommelier and Fine Wine Specialist at Vin Sauvage, Las Vegas, NV
Morgan Harris MS
Master Sommelier and Head Sommelier at Saison Hospitality, San Francisco
Kyungmoon Kim MS
Master Sommelier
Brian Koziol MS
Master Sommelier and Complex Director Food & Beveragen Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts, Florida
Paul Baldi
Sommelier at Quince, San Francisco
Scott Barber
President at Green Pin Wines, San Francisco
Pablo Braida, MS
Master Sommelier
Miranda Breedlove
National Director of Bars and Wine Programs at Hyatt Lifestyle Operations
Larissa C Dubose
National Director Beverages- Dining Division at Paradies Lagardère and Wine Enthusiast Magazine Future 40, Vino Volo National Buyer
Cassandra E. Sakai
Corporate Director of Beverage Operations, Gibsons Restaurant Group
Mark Gallagher
Experienced Sommelier and Mixologist
Jared Givens
Director of Restaurants, Bars and Events for the Thompson Dallas, Hyatt Hotels
Chris Hackett
Sales Manager and Warehouse Manager at Lionstone New York
Kat Hawkins
Wine Director at Miru, Tre Dita, and the St. Regis Bar, St. Regis, Chicago
Jamie Knee
Sommelier and Wine Educator
Lawrence Kobesky
Lawrence Kobesky, FullG Capital, Chicago
David Kohl
Vice President Portfolio Manager, Chateau & Estates Wine Imports LLC
Kasia Kutryba
Wine Consultant at Binny's Beverage Depot
Élyse Lambert, MS
Master Sommelier and Fifth Position Best Sommelier of the World 2016
Jane Lopes
Sommelier, Educator, and Author • Co-Founder Legend Imports
Rachel Lowe
Director of Beverage for Levy Restaurants.
John Maraffa
Corporate Beverage Manager, Morton's The Steakhouse | Morton's Grille
Michael Marsico
Michael Marsico
Michael Mighetto Hoefling
Client Advisor at Vinfolio
Will Parsons
Vice President, Global Portfolio Manager at Parsons Fine Imports, Columbus, Indiana
Marc R. Kauffman
Noted Celebrity Sommelier, CS, CSW
Sandra Gomes Rocha
CEO and Co-Founder of Diniz Cellars
Jonathan Ross MS
Master Sommelier, Author and Partner at Legend Australian Wine Imports
Chris Saraiva
Co-Founder at Brands of Portugal
Charles Schneider
GM, Wine Director GM, Wine Director Webster Wine Bar
Lisa Selman CSS
Director of Beverage for the Alchemy Room, Breakthru Beverage
Paul Solomon
Director of Operations for Vistro Prime and Petite Vie
Brandon Tebbe MS
Master Sommelier, SWE ISG Certified Sommelier Certified Sherry Wine Expert and Ten Five Hospitality
Joseph V. Micallef
Journalist and commentator on food, wines, spirits, and travel. (Forbes)
Jeff Van Ham
Sommelier, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Chicago