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Jonathan Ross MS

Jonathan Ross is a New Jersey-born wine professional who spent most of his career working in the New York restaurant industry. Jon’s time in New York was capped off by a 5-year stint as the head sommelier at Eleven Madison Park, which culminated in the restaurant’s rise to the top spot on the San Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurant List. In 2017, Jon moved to Melbourne, Australia where he joined the Rockpool Dining Group as beverage director, overseeing the premium pillar of restaurants in Victoria and WA.

While living in Melbourne, Jon launched his own label called Micro Wines. In 2017, he passed the master sommelier exam. In 2020, Jon and wife Jane Lopes returned to the US, and launched Legend Imports, bringing the wines they fell in love with while in Australia back to the US. Jon and Jane’s Australian wine book, How to Drink Australian, published in September 2023.

Meet the other judges

Jared Givens

Director of Restaurants, Bars and Events for the Thompson Dallas, Hyatt Hotels

Will Parsons

Vice President, Global Portfolio Manager at Parsons Fine Imports, Columbus, Indiana

Kat Hawkins

Wine Director at Miru, Tre Dita, and the St. Regis Bar, St. Regis, Chicago