Los Angeles International
Wine Competition Judges

Thibaud Duccini is originally from France and has been working in Los Angeles since 2009. Worked as a wine director for Patina group and General Manager of Wally’s in Beverly Hills. Currently Thibaud is working as a Beverage Director at City Club Los Angeles and is also the owner of the newly acclaimed wine bar “The Wine Station” in downtown Los Angeles. Thibaud is currently doing his DipSet and is also certified sommelier by CMS.

Charlotte Fillaudeau is the France and Export Manager for MT Vins, a Bordeaux wine merchant, a position she has held for over ten years. She oversees key international markets, including Europe, the United States, and Canada. In these regions, she develops long-term partnerships built on MT Vins’ core strengths: deep sourcing expertise, a strong ability to adapt and tailor packaging to market needs, a diverse portfolio ranging from small estates to prestigious classified growths, and, above all, shared values of trust and a passion for wine.

Deeply committed to her profession, Charlotte sees wine as a powerful connector between cultures and people. Her work brings her into daily contact with fellow enthusiasts who share not only a passion for wine, but also a genuine appreciation for the good life. A true epicurean, she sees wine as a reflection of a terroir, craftsmanship, and emotion.

Driven by curiosity and a spirit of exploration, Charlotte travels extensively through her work. Each vineyard visit, conversation, and shared glass reinforces her belief that wine is far more than a product—it’s a story, an experience, and a universal language that connects people across borders.

Daniel Lonnberg Hume is originally from the city of Santiago de Chile, where he studied Oenology at the University of Chile.  After graduating he quickly found a position with Concha y Toro and later, Altair & Chocalan.  After considerable experience under his belt, Daniel made the decision to bring his talents to El Valle.  In 2005 he was selected by esteemed winemaker Hugo D’Acosta (Casa de Piedra), to become the Enologist for Paralelo.  After a successful stint at Paralelo, Daniel turned to consulting and has since developed an enviable list of clients including: Adobe Guadalupe, Hacienda Guadalupe, Norte 32, Emeve & Hilo Negro.  Considered to be amongst the region’s hottest winemakers, Daniel also produces multiple wines under the “VINSUR por Daniel Lonnberg” brand including two outstanding red blends, Cañada de los Encinos and Literal.

Eduardo Dingler was born in Torreón , Mexico then relocated to the Napa Valley where he has been a resident for over two decades. He is a Professional Sake, Wine, and Spirits Judge both in the US and Japan, and a Certified Sake Professional as well as Certified Sommelier under the Court of Master Sommeliers and Certified Shochu Advisor. He has led beverage programs for the Morimoto Restaurant Group throughout the world but most importantly he is a passionate Sake Ambassador. Currently working with the a Japanese Government promoting Sake. His love for this beverage has taken him to Japan several times with an ever expanding curiosity to explore the culture, gastronomy and, of course, Sake Breweries throughout the country. Eduardo has contributed to a number of Food and Beverage publications in the US, UK and Japan as well as consulted for restaurant programs across the globe. He is VP of Wine for Wine Access.

Erik Segelbaum is the Food and Wine Magazine Sommelier of the Year 2019 and Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker. Erik is an Advanced Sommelier, Smithsonian’s national wine educator, journalist for major trade and consumer food and wine publications, and the vice president of the United Sommeliers Foundation, a charity that provides emergency financial relief for wine professionals and awarded Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award for Social Visionary of the Year. Erik co-owns SWIG Partners, a company that helps beverage brands find importers or distributors across the USA, and is the founder of SOMLYAY hospitality consulting. Additionally Erik is the owns GoodSomm a luxury lifestyle wine club. And Amalfi Beverage Co. Which produces Certo -RTD Negronis and Espresso Martinis made on the Amalfi Coast.

With over 3 decades of experience, Erik is known as a leader in beverage financial and operations management. Prior to founding SOMLYAY, Erik served as the corporate beverage director for Starr Restaurants. He has opened more than 20 restaurants and hotels from Michelin Star fine dining to fast-casual and multi-unit concepts. He can frequently be found judging the world’s most prestigious wine and spirits competitions.

Ian Blackburn, CSW, Event Producer Ian Blackburn discovered the wine industry while visiting the Napa Valley as a College Student. Ian quickly moved his focus to the front of the house and focused on wine after working with Chef’s like Thomas Keller at Checkers and Joachim Splichal at Patina.  Now in his 30th year, Ian is considered one of the region’s best wine educators and works for his 120,000 followers

Jessie “JABS” Birschbach is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers with a background in fine dining (Spago, Beverly Hills; Mastro’s Steakhouse, Beverly Hills), creative marketing (Signature Creative, Protagonist), and comedy (iO West, UCB LA, National Comedy Theatre). An avid beer enthusiast, JABS is an active homebrewer and belongs to the Pacific Gravity Homebrew Club. Her most recent enterprise involves pairing cannabis strains (and their respective terpenes) with wine and beer. Although she is from the island of Kauai, spending the first six years of her life on the islands, JABS grew up in San Diego, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from San Diego State University. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her wife and son.

Laura was an in-demand Napa Valley sommelier who spearheaded the wine program for Top Chef Michael Chiarello’s restaurant group and worked for Iron Chef Morimoto and TORC’s Sean and Cynthia O’Toole. She honed her palate at the Culinary Institute of America and holds an Advanced Sommelier title from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Currently, Laura is the Director of Fine Wine for Wine Access.

Trellis was founded in 2005 by Mark Crisler in order to introduce artisan and family-owned wine, spirits, and other drinks to national account restaurants and hotel chains. While traversing the country representing Southern Wine & Spirits (now SGWS) and later Robert Mondavi Winery, Mark began to realize how homogeneous many of the wine lists at national accounts were, with only a small number of primarily larger wine companies represented. He was also aware that consumers were becoming more wine savvy, and wanted new “discovery” wines. With 25 years of industry experience, Mark formed Trellis Wine & Spirits (originally “Trellis Wine Group”) to bring more honesty and diversity to the wine and cocktail lists of national restaurants, hotels, bars, and venues. In the years since, Trellis has made its name promoting the best of the best, and as a well-respected tier one beverage partner with successful placements nationwide and beyond. As the demand for ultra-premium beverages continues to skyrocket, Trellis is uniquely positioned to help connect artisan producers from wine, spirits, and more with decision makers in the national accounts channel.

Born in London, raised in Sydney Mark has over 40 years of experience in the hotel, restaurant, and wine business, 20 of those as a Sommelier. In 2001 he was name Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver Wine Festival- also won the Spirited Industry Professional award in 2014. Mark is an annual judge at Texsom International Wine Awards and has judged many other competitions in both Canada and the US.

He is the author of Wines of Australia (2023) which is part of the Classic Wine Library series through the Academie du Vin.

Marks education role at Wine Australia has seen him lecture on Australian wine in the UK, Scandinavia, China, Southeast Asia, Canada and the United States.

Pablo Ugarte Cruz Coke is a key figure in Chilean wine, with 30 years of experience. CEO of CATADOR SpA and Vice President of VINOFED, he leads initiatives such as the Catad’Or World Wine Awards and the Alistair Cooper MW Guide by Catad’Or. Author of the Ancestral Wines of the Itata Valley, Chile (2025) Guide, he has served for 15 years as a judge in major international competitions and is dedicated to supporting the territorial development of small-scale producer communities. A wine graduate from PUC Chile, he is also a musician with the band Upa and a prominent promoter of Chilean wines abroad.

Peter Marks, Master of Wine, is a Partner and Instructor with the Napa Valley Wine Academy in Napa, California. Marks is one of only 59 Masters of Wine residing in the United States and one of 418 in the world. Marks received his MW designation in 1995 when he became the 10th American to pass. That year he also became the first American to receive the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award, which is bestowed annually to the MW candidate with the highest blind tasting score.
From 2008 to 2019 Marks was Vice President of Education for Constellation Brands. Before joining Constellation Wines, he was the Senior Vice President of Wine at Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa. Previous to working at Copia Marks was the Chief Wine Merchant at Wine.com. For 15 years prior, Marks was Director of Wine for the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets located in Northern California. Marks is the Panel Chair of the Practical (Tasting) Exam for the Institute of Masters of Wine, and he judges many international wine competitions. WineBusiness Monthly named him one of its Wine Industry Leaders in 2025. He assists with many charitable fundraisers throughout the year. Marks enjoys riding his bike in the Napa Valley, especially up Mt. Veeder and through the beautiful vineyards.

Rob Holder is Director of Brand Development for International Cuisine and now overseeing 9L Marketing. He is a veteran beverage professional with more than twenty-seven years dedicated to wine, spirits, and guest-centered program development. Based in Scottsdale, he has led beverage strategy for acclaimed multi-market restaurants—including the Roka Akor portfolio—where he shaped sourcing, cellar standards, tasting protocols, and education across Scottsdale, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston. Rob began his beverage career in 1999 under mentor Paul Carter, building foundational expertise in wine and spirits management before moving into consulting and ultimately joining International Cuisine after nine years with JNK Concepts. His work has focused on producer relationships, category strategy, and pairing integration, curating lists that balance classical regions with emerging discoveries and a strong sense of place. With deep tasting experience and strong calibration discipline, Rob is a seasoned competition judge. He has served on the panel for the Arizona Wine Competition and is celebrating his tenth-year judging at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. His evaluation approach blends technical precision with service-minded perspective, emphasizing purity, varietal character, balance, structure, and overall drinkability. A Certified Sake Professional, Rob brings cross-category range to judging panels, often integrating sake into comparative flights and educational tastings. He values producers who take a careful, quality‑focused approach to farming and winemaking, allowing regional character to come through naturally. Rob is honored to continue his work as a wine judge, recognizing excellence and supporting the growers, winemakers, and innovators who elevate the world of wine.

Robin McBride, Co-Founder of McBride Sisters Wine Company, has dedicated more than 20 years to building her career as an entrepreneur in wine. Together with her sister, Andrea, the duo began as importers of New Zealand wine before evolving into wine producers, innovators, and strategic brand marketers.  Today, the Sisters’ company owns McBride Sisters Collection Wines, specializing in light, coastal wines from the regions where each sister grew up, the Central Coast of California and the islands of New Zealand. Their Black Girl Magic Wines portfolio is a bold, culture-driven collection that became one of the fastest-growing brands in the country just one year after its 2018 launch.

In addition, their SHE CAN Collective, launched in 2019 is now a network of more than 5,000 women created to ensure that women both inside and outside of the wine industry have the resources and support needed to advance their careers and thrive in historically male dominated spaces.

Robin remains committed to the people, the places and connections that make what she does so important and to continue paving the way for the longevity, and the future, of a diverse and thriving wine industry.

Sally Mohr earned the title of Master Sommelier in 1995 and was the second woman in the United States to achieve that distinction. There are less than 300 professionals worldwide that have earned this distinguished title. She began her wine career as an employee at The Boulder Wine Merchant in 1983 and became a co-owner of this prestigious specialty retail wine shop in 1986. In 2010, The Boulder Wine Merchant sold allowing Sally to pursue other avenues in the beverage trade. Sally is a Master level examiner and educator with the Court of Master Sommeliers. In 2009, Sally passed the Advanced Sake Professional course conducted by John Gauntner in Japan. And in 2018, she earned the distinction of Level 3 Sake Educator from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She is a board member of the Sake Education Council. She has been a featured speaker at the Los Angeles County Fair Wine Education, Steamboat Wine Festival, TexSom Wine Conference, Telluride Wine Festival and numerous others around the country. She continues to put her palate to the test by judging wine and sake in several regional and international wine competitions.

Stephanie Brisson is a storyteller of taste, a French wine professional whose path has been shaped as much by curiosity and travel as by terroir. Born into a family of winemakers, she has been immersed in the world of wine from an early age, developing a deep connection to both tradition and terroir. Before founding Les Comètes, her creative consultancy dedicated to immersive wine, beer, and sake experiences, she lived in China, the US and England among other countries—experiences that broadened her palate and deepened her understanding of how culture shapes the way people taste, learn, and connect. Her early career in the world of business and luxury, including time spent at Hermès, refined her eye for detail, craftsmanship, and the emotional resonance of well-made things. These foundations now inform her approach to wine communication: precise, sensory, and anchored in narrative. Today, her work spans event design, tasting workshops, and editorial contributions for regional publications. She has covered major industry events such as Wine Paris and regularly interviews leading voices in French wine. Her writing and tastings highlight the richness of regional identities—especially those of the Jura—and the human stories behind each bottle. She is also planning to open a café–wine bar in Jura, designed as a vibrant community hub offering tastings, cultural programming, and events.

Spreti Valente serves as Chair of the Los Angeles International Wine Competition, where she leads judging operations, strategic marketing, and large-scale consumer engagement for one of the nation’s longest-running wine competitions. The first woman to hold the role in nearly a century, she has strengthened the competition’s position as a powerful marketing platform for wineries of all sizes, connecting producers directly with trade and consumers through high-impact events and media partnerships. A Certified Sommelier and seasoned wine buyer with 17 years of experience, Spreti brings both technical expertise and commercial insight to every initiative she oversees. She also serves as Wine Coordinator for Pigs & Pinot, led by Chef Charlie Palmer and Winemaker Bob Cabral, where she manages the competition components, produces the Smackdown, and emcees the Gala Rooftop Dinner.

In 2024, Wine Business Monthly recognized her as a Wine Industry Leader for advancing excellence, innovation, and industry growth.

Group: Chair

Greg Burns of Lodi, California is a fifth generation descendent of Jessie’s Grove Vineyards & Winery. Greg is the director of, and Head Winemaker for Jessie’s Grove Winery. His family has been in Lodi since the 1850’s and has been growing grapes in the Lodi area since the 1880’s. He continues that legacy today having returned to manage his family vineyards in 1994. With 280 acres of grapes in full production his selections for Jessie’s Grove Winery have been carefully hand selected. As Greg puts it, “With Lodi’s heritage as an AVA and its rich history of producing high quality grapes, making wine from your own heritage is the perfect balance”. Professional wine judging has been a passion of his for the last 15 years. Greg thoroughly enjoys his time with his wine judging piers and truly feels the passion for being the eternal student of wine.

Group: Winemaker

Building on four decades of global PR and marketing expertise, Kimberly Charles has established herself as a leading strategic advisor for brands seeking authentic storytelling and socially responsible positioning. She founded Charles Communications Associates in 2003, specializing in strategic branding and corporate social responsibility, with a focus on launching and repositioning purpose-driven brands.
Her strategic vision has elevated legacy California wine families including Wente Vineyards, Robert Mondavi, Charles Krug, and E. & J. Gallo. Her regional expertise also contributed to Lodi earning Wine Region of the Year honors and helped spotlight the UNESCO World Heritage region of Conegliano Valdobbiadene in Italy’s Prosecco territory.
Kimberly holds a Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (London, 1997), one of only four Americans at the time to achieve this rigorous certification. She earned her B.A. in History and Government from Georgetown University, grounding her work in global perspective and market insight.
A longtime advocate of cause-related marketing, she has served on the boards of the Glancy Wine Education Foundation and Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco, and was Vice President of the Society of Wine Educators (2003–2005).
In 2024, she co-founded Come Together—A Community for Wine with Karen MacNeil and Glen Colangelo, launching the national campaigns Come Over October and Share & Pair Sundays.


Group: Marketing

Sofia holds a degree in Communication Sciences and has also obtained WSET 3 Level Certification from Florida Wine Academy, qualifying her as a Wine Sommelier. Sofia has worked as a Brand Ambassador and Sommelier at Cava Quintanilla, a Mexican Winery for three years. Currently, she serves as the Portfolio Manager at La Competencia Imports, the largest importer of Mexican wines into the United States. Sofia’s expertise and networking skills makes her a key liaison between Mexico and the United States. Sofia has also earned the certification of Tea Sommelier from the International Tea Masters Association in San Diego.

Group: Marketing

Anna Marie Dos Remedios is a former journalist turned award-winning winemaker who began her career in wine in San Benito County, where she was influenced by renowned winemaker Josh Jensen. She learned minimal intervention techniques from her mentor and produces single vineyard wines with native yeast and gravity flow. In 2008, she co-founded Idle Hour Winery in Oakhurst, CA, near Yosemite National Park and her 12 room inn and wine bar, the Queen’s Inn. In 2015, she began judging wine competitions throughout California. In 2016, Anna Marie began hosting European wine tours yearly aboard AMAWaterways river cruises. In 2018, she was inducted into Les Dames d’Escoffier, the renown culinary organization. In 2019, Anna Marie expanded her winery to include a restaurant, focused on a scratch kitchen with Mediterranean cuisine to match her wines. Throughout the Covid pandemic, she focused on food and wine experiences for her wine club and community, making Idle Hour a safe gathering place for all.

Group: Winemaker

Chris graduated from Cal Poly in 2005 with a degree in agricultural business with a focus on marketing, as well as a minor in viticulture. Concurrently, he earned a diploma in enology from Washington State University. So why not put those talents to use close to home? Chris accepted a position at Eberle Winery as assistant winemaker in 2006. But by 2009 his wanderlust enticed him away from the Central Coast to look for opportunities in other winemaking regions…many of them. For fifteen vintages, Chris spent time expanding his winemaking knowledge in South Africa, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and France. That knowledge base would come in handy. In 2015 Gary Eberle, in his search for a new winemaker, contacted Chris in Australia and offered him the head winemaking job in Paso Robles.

Group: Winemaker

Winemaker at the historic Galleano Winery. Domenic Galleano is the fourth-generation winemaker at Galleano Winery, carrying forward a family legacy that dates back to 1927. His father, the late Donald Galleano, was a highly respected figure in the wine industry, known for his dedication to preserving historic vineyards and his deep influence on California winemaking. Domenic continues this commitment, honoring both his father’s vision and his great-grandfather’s legacy by maintaining traditional winemaking techniques at the last bonded Prohibition-era winery in Cucamonga Valley still owned and operated by its founding family. With a hands-on approach and a respect for heritage, Domenic ensures that Galleano Winery remains a cornerstone of California’s winemaking history.

Group: Winemaker

Alejandro is the owner and wine buyer of Tres Muchachos Wine Bar & Kitchen in Costa Mesa, California. With over a decade of experience curating and hosting food and wine events across Orange County and Los Angeles, he has worked alongside top restaurateurs, winemakers, and industry experts to craft unforgettable dining experiences.

A skilled wine professional, Alejandro has consulted on wine and food menus for multiple restaurants and startups, ensuring exceptional pairings that enhance the guest experience. At Tres Muchachos, he showcases a thoughtfully curated, unconventional wine list, offering selections that go beyond the expected. His deep understanding of wine allows him to introduce guests to exciting, under-the-radar bottles, always with a keen sense of what his clientele will love.

Bringing a refined palate and a dedication to quality, Alejandro is committed to celebrating and elevating the wine experience. A graduate of Vanguard University with a B.S. in Business and a minor in accounting, he blends business acumen with a love of food, wine, and music to create welcoming spaces where people can connect over great flavors.

Group: Buyer / Chef

Barry has more than three decades of experience in the wine industry, ranging from sommelier and wine shop owner to high-level retail and private cellar acquisitions. He was raised in Southern California, where he earned his stripes in some of LA’s most celebrated restaurants, among them Chinois on Main and Osteria Angelini. Most recently, Barry was General Manager of the Rare Wine Company in Sonoma, as well as working with Soutirage and Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Spirits in Napa Valley. Currently, he is the wine buyer for Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa, CA, a 15,000 square foot superstore and arguably has the largest and finest selection of fine wines north of San Francisco. Barry blames a bottle of 1980 Jayer Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux for having sent him down the rabbit hole many years ago. Today, he lives in Petaluma, CA with his wife, two children and Australian Shepherd, Elvis, to whom he happily dedicates every spare moment outside of work.

Group: Buyer

Michael Horn is President/CEO of CRN Digital Talk Radio, the nation’s largest radio syndicator to multiple platforms. CRN is heard on AM/FM Radio, Satellite Radio, Cable TV, Internet, Mobile and streaming Applications, via podcast and end even on ROKU and Apple TV. Michael is the host of the daily “What’s Cookin’ Today” show, the nation’s food, wine, travel, health, wealth and entertainment show and “The What’s Cookin On Wine” show. Michael has reported and covered major wine events around the world including Auction Napa Valley, The Sonoma Showcase Of Wine and Food , Kaanapali Fresh, the Hawaii Food and Wine Fest and many more. He produced “Brown Bag Wine Tasting” with William Shatner and is proud to return to judge the Los Angeles International Wine Competition.

Group: Journalist

Stacie is a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier, AIS and Co-founder of SPLASH Productions, producers of Wine, Cuisine & Art exhibitions and video documentaries and producing/hosting live streaming shows for wineries and regions.* As an Emmy-Award winning journalist, she contributes her column to the award-winning online magazine, MY LA Lifestyle and other publications. Additionally, she is an international wine judge and, a taster for Wine & Spirits Magazine.

Stacie serves as Vice President on the board of the National Association of Wine Retailers and is an adjunct professor at Cal Poly and UCLA. In this capacity Stacie co-created the Certified American Wine Specialist course for the North American Sommelier Association.

Stacie is producer of the one-hour award-winning documentary for Wine Spectator magazine and producer of dozens of Satellite Media Tours featuring wineries. She is an Emmy and Belding Award winner for her news and journalism work with NBC. As a product/brand spokesperson she has conducted international webcasts and shows for Bertolli Foods and Saeco and spokesperson for the Baja Winemakers.

Group: Marketing

Wing Lam is the eldest of the three founding brothers and the enigmatic character widely recognized as the face of the iconic Wahoo’s Fish Taco brand. A 30-plus-year restaurant industry veteran, he is often in the public eye participating as a panelist and speaker at global events such as the IEG Conference and guest lecturing for MBA programs at Yale, UCLA and USC. In addition to being featured on the ABC hit show “The Secret Millionaire,” Lam also starred in a national Merrill Lynch commercial and two Food Network shows, “Unwrapped” and “Beach Eats USA,” he actively supports and attends many national and local community-based events. Wing and his brothers have been named among the 500 Most Influential by the Orange County Business Journal, with Wahoo’s Fish Taco the recipient of the Golden Foodie Award and Best OC Brand by OC Weekly. Wing graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S in science and a minor in Spanish. Wing has been a long-time wine judge at LA Wine and Spirits competition.

Group: Chef / Buyer

Adam LaZarre is an award-winning winemaker based in Paso Robles, California, with 30 years of experience spanning boutique winemaking with his LaZarre Wines brand through large-scale commercial production. Over the course of his career, he has played a significant role in shaping some of the most recognizable and consistently successful wine brands in the United States.
Adam grew up near the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, where he developed an early interest in wine. He later served in the United States Navy, an experience that helped shape the disciplined, methodical approach that would come to define his work in winemaking and leadership.
Following his military service, he earned a B.S. in Enology at Fresno State University, one of the nation’s most respected programs in winemaking and Viticulture.
Adam’s contributions to the wine industry have been recognized repeatedly. Honors include Winemaker of the Year (Sacramento Bee), Top Five Winemakers of the Year to Watch (San Francisco Chronicle), and inclusion among the 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry.
His wines have earned numerous 90+ scores, Best of Show and Gold Medals at leading competitions, including the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. He has received consistently strong ratings from Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and other leading publications.
Today, Adam continues to balance boutique winemaking with large-scale production, consulting, educating, and judging. His career reflects a rare combination of technical rigor, creative judgment, and commercial insight, establishing him as one of the most accomplished wine professionals of his generation.


Group: Winemaker

Jeff Mangahas is the VP Director of Winemaking at Williams Seylem. On most wine tasting trips with friends, conversation tends to center on the beautiful surroundings, the aromas in the glass, and where is everyone having their next amazing meal. When Jeff started wine tasting back in his 20’s, the question that kept popping into his head was “why does this wine taste the way it does?” It would be this burning curiosity about what happens before wine enters the bottle that would lead Jeff to leave a career as a medical research scientist and enroll in the UC Davis winemaking program. Jeff has graduated with an M.S. in Enology and then takes on his first harvest with Artesa Vineyards. Soon after, Jeff has become Assistant Winemaker at Dutton-Goldfield, digging into the world of cool-climate Pinot wine growing. Then he was on to the role of Winemaker at Hartford Family Winery, specializing in Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast appellations. Today, as Winemaker at Williams Seylem, Jeff continues to ask the question of what makes a wine taste the way it does, now tempered with, “how can we coax the best out of each vintage?” Jeff also brings another perspective to the making of wine as a gardener and home chef.

Group: Winemaker

Stefania Marcuz is a specialist in Sensory Analysis applied to the Food & Beverage sector and in Food. Science and Culture. She is a certified taster of a wide range of Italian and international products, including wine, olive oil, olives, cheese, honey, coffee, chocolate, tiramisu, ice cream, cured meats, grappa, spirits and sake, and serves as Judge and Panel Leader in prestigious national and international competitions and guides. She provides Quality, Marketing and Communication consultancy to leading and award-winning agri-food companies and works as a Food & Beverage Consultant, Trainer and Project Manager for public institutions, private organizations, exhibitions and trade fairs in Italy and abroad. Her extensive international experience and deep knowledge of multiple product categories make her also a trusted advisor for major buyers, distributors and importers across the Food & Beverage supply chain. Her professional background also includes key roles in Hospitality, Sales and Export Management, particularly within wineries and olive oil companies. She designs, coordinates and leads high-level tasting programs—especially focused on wine, cheese, honey and olive oil, for industry professionals, corporate clients and consumer audiences at both national and international level. Stefania is also active as a journalist and technical contributor for sector magazines and television programs, offering expert insights on products, sensory evaluation and market trends. Combining scientific rigor, strong communication skills and extensive field experience, she is recognized as a respected and authoritative professional within the international Food & Beverage community.

Group: Marketing

Brian Marquez, Winemaker, born and raised in Southern California has been in Temecula Valley for over 30 years. A self-described perfectionist, he has constantly refined his practices, wines, and techniques. Brian likes to approach classic wines with a southern California flair while applying his knowledge from his studies at UC Davis. With his passion and love for his hometown of Temecula, Brian is constantly pushing to improve the quality and reputation of wines from this esteemed region of California.

Group: Winemaker

Kim McPherson comes from a pioneering Texas wine family, with over 50 years of history in grape growing and winemaking. His father, Dr. Clinton A. “Doc” McPherson, co-founded Llano Estacado Winery in 1976, launching the modern Texas wine industry. A Texas Tech graduate, Kim later studied Enology and Viticulture at UC Davis before working in Napa Valley. He returned to Texas as winemaker for Llano Estacado and Cap*Rock Winery, earning over 500 medals for his wines. In 2000, he founded McPherson Cellars to honor his father, transforming a historic 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant into one of Texas’ most celebrated wineries.

Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential U.S. Winemakers, Kim continues to shape the Texas wine industry with innovation and dedication.

Group: Winemaker

Jon McPherson is a Master Winemaker with deep roots in the industry. Raised in Lubbock, Texas, he grew up learning from his father, Doc McPherson, a pioneer of Texas winemaking.

After earning a degree in Food & Technology with a minor in Chemistry from Texas Tech, Jon moved to Southern California in 1985 to focus on sparkling wine. As head winemaker at Culbertson Winery (now Thornton Winery), his expertise led to record-breaking accolades, solidifying its reputation as America’s Most Honored Sparkling Wine producer.

Since 2003, Jon has been crafting exceptional sparkling and still wines at South Coast Winery, working with premium vineyards like Wild Horse Peak. A respected wine judge and industry veteran, he remains a leader in California winemaking.

Group: Winemaker

Judging wines made from hybrid and native grapes is a specialty of sorts for Ann Miller. She’s spent over 20 years in the Missouri wine industry, where hybrids and native varieties thrive. She’s also spent over 20 years as a wine judge at several major competitions including the Los Angeles International, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Indy International and the New York Wine and Grape Classic.

Group: Marketing

Jeff is a graduate of Penn State with a degree in Food Science. Jeff has been Johnson Estate’s winemaker in New York since 2003 and has introduced eight new wines during his tenure there, including Port and Sherry, fruit wines and sparkling wines. Many of these wines have won gold medals in international competitions along with numerous silver and bronze medals. Jeff enjoys making wines that are approachable, food-friendly and elegant. He has a distinct Germanic tilt to his preferences and style of winemaking, eschewing excessive oak and permitting the terroir of the grapes to be revealed in our wines. He regularly attends Pro Wein, held annually in Dusseldorf, Germany, and visits equipment suppliers and wineries elsewhere in Europe.

Group: Winemaker

Mark A. Newman of Studio City, California has been Chairman and CEO of three wine & spirits industry companies and has spent a lifetime in the industry. Mark is currently consulting for wineries in the south of France, Bordeaux, Italy, Spain and California. In his over 35 years in the wine industry, he has owned the largest per unit wine & spirits retail chain in Arizona, held key California winery positions as well as senior level executive positions in the wine distributing business. Mark has also produced wine in both California and France. He received his education at the University of Southern California in Business (Marketing & Finance) and is a member of several wine industry trade groups. Mark was inducted into the prestigious Commanderie de Bontemps du Medoc et Graves recognizing his years of dedication to the wine industry, and is Maitre Consiels of Gastronomy, an honor bestowed by the French Minister of Agriculture, and he has previously had his palate insured for one million dollars.

Group: Marketing

Shawn Richcreek is passionate about people, passionate about wine education and most importantly, he is passionate about providing amazing customer experiences! He is currently the West Coast Regional Business Partner for Total Wine & More, supporting 65+ locations. Shawn also teaches wine education classes for California State University San Bernardino’s Osher Institute in Palm Desert. Prior to Joining Total Wine & More, Shawn worked for 13 years for Beverages & More where he was the Director of Training for their retail stores. Prior to that, Shawn was the Southern California wine buyer for Cost Plus World Market and has worked on the retail side of the Wine and Spirits business in Southern California for more than 25 years. Shawn is a Certified Sommelier and a Certified Specialist of Spirits.

Group: Sommelier / Buyer

Robert Small, Ph.D., is professor emeritus and former dean of Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College of Hospitality Management. In addition to serving as dean twice, he taught management, wine and beverage courses in his 30-year career. He completed a university textbook, with his wife Michelle Couturier, Beverage Basics: Understanding and Appreciating Wine, Beer, and Spirits released by John Wiley in fall 2011. For 14 years he chaired the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition and continues to judge wine at several international competitions throughout the country. Bob also leads food, wine and culture trips to Europe sponsored by the Collins College and Cal Poly Pomona University twice a year and was the proprietor of Dr. Bob’s HandCrafted IceCreams from 1999 to 2016.

Nina Sventitsky is a wine marketer, specializing in global wine region relationships. In her role with Napa Valley Wine Academy, she oversees client sponsorships and programs, working with Champagne, Rioja, Vins de Provence, Bourgogne and more. As a Certified Rioja Educator, Nina has deep expertise in Rioja wines, championing the region through official trade activities in the US. She is a certified sommelier and WSET Level 3 in Wines. Nina lives in Los Angeles.
Group: Marketing

Miro Tcholakov is Vice President and Director of Winemaking Operations for Trentadue Winery LLC in Geyserville, Sonoma County, overseeing all aspects of winemaking; including custom crush and bottling. Chiefly responsible for reinvigorating the Trentadue brand when he came aboard in 1999, Miro has worked tirelessly to take our wines to a new level of quality and prestige. “Making wine has been a lifelong dream of mine. After completing my studies in 1990 at the higher Institute of Agriculture in Bulgaria in Agronomy/Viticulture, I traveled to California on an Exchange program in wine business. I continued my education by attending Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis, focusing on specific courses in Winemaking and management. My internship started at Dry Creek Vineyards in the summer of 1990 and in nine years of employment, I transitioned through the ranks of Cellar Master and Assistant Winemaker. It was during this time that I fell in love with two distinctively California varietals; Zinfandel and especially Petite Sirah. In 1999 I took over the winemaking operations at Trentadue Winery. That new opportunity added to my excitement about Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, which have been two long standing staple varietals at Trentadue. My passionate love affair with Zin and Petite Sirah lead to my election to the Board of Directors of ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) and also to the Board of Directors of PS(Petite Sirah) I Love you-a nonprofit organization that I helped establish 19 years ago.” Miro is also a Judge at several other prestigious wine competitions.

Group: Winemaker

Jim Trezise is President of WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries based in Washington, DC. He also created and for 30 years was President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation; created and was President for 10 years of the International Riesling Foundation; and has served on Boards of Directors of many national and international wine industry organizations. He has received several national awards for his contributions to the American wine industry, and judges in about 10 major wine competitions each year. He lives on Keuka Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Group: Marketing

Wilfred Wong is a wine critic, writer, and photographer with five decades of experience in the wine industry. A respected wine judge, he has evaluated wines across the globe, including France, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Among his favorite U.S. competitions is the Los Angeles International Wine Competition, where his expertise and keen palate are highly valued.

As the former Cellar Master at BevMo, Wilfred played a pivotal role in creating the company’s wine rating system, a groundbreaking approach that helped guide consumers in selecting wines. Tasting nearly 3,000 wines a year, his scores and concise tasting notes became an influential tool in retail wine buying, earning him a reputation as one of the most trusted palates in the business.

Based in San Francisco, Wilfred’s extensive career has made him a go-to authority in the industry, offering insight through his writing, reviews, and photography. His deep knowledge, sharp judgment, and dedication to wine continue to shape how consumers and professionals alike understand and appreciate wine.

Group: Buyer