International Sommelier Guild (ISG), levels 1 and 2. Passed all parts of the level 1 and 2 tests, including knowledge, essays, and blind tasting.  

I’ve taught wine classes at restaurants and private homes in Austin for the last 15+ years.

I've been a food and wine writer for 16+ years. I've written extensively for OTL Golf, a luxury golf and lifestyle magazine, and The Austin Times newspaper, and have done some additional freelance food writing.

Chef and food manager for the Texas International Wine Competition for 4 years.
Founder - Austin, Texas Wine Society, which has nearly 2,000 members on Facebook. We routinely host wine tastings with guest wine makers.

Previous Judge Experience

• I was a guest judge at the 2022 Texas International Wine Competition.
• I have been a full judge for the Texas International Wine Competition from 2023 to 2026.

Dave Barber is a wine educator and has shared his knowledge with many over the years. He has been a Certified Wine Judge through the American Wine Society and has been an instructor in the program as well as has administered the final certification examination for years. He has judged in many wine competitions over the years. For twenty years he has co-chaired or chaired the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition. He has presented numerous educational sessions on many topics over the years to AWS chapters, private groups, winery tasting events, etc. He has worked for many Virginia wineries over the years. He is also a member of the Order of the Knights of the Vine. He has traveled over three continents visiting various wine areas and tasting the local wines.

Full time Professor of Fermentation Technology and Bioprocess, Engineering, University of Ljubljana. Member FIJF and FICB. Attache for Foreign Affaires, Eques de Vino, Order Europeanis de Vino

Member of 21 International Wine Competition Juries :

Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada,Citadelle de Vin, Bordeaux, France, Vinagora, Budapest, Vinoforum, Czech Republic, Bacchus, Spain, Sauvignon Forum, Czech Republic, Terra Vino, Israel, Chisinau, Black Sea Wine and Spirit International Wine Competition, Moldova; Great American International Wine Competition;International Wine Competition Bucharest – Romania; Dubrovnik Wine Fest, Croatia

Chairman of International Wine Competition Juries :

Concours Mondial, Bordeaux, France, Mundus vini, Neustadt, Germany, Great Ljubljana Wine Competition, Slovenia, American International Wine Competition, New York , Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, New York, Michelangelo, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Sauvignon Forum, Czech Republic, Muvina, Slovakia,

Cabernet & Merlot, Bergamo...Italy. Zagreb Wine Competition, Croatia

International Wine Competition Bucharest 2017 – Romania

Glass of Bubbly, London, UK

OIV Delegate Muvina, Slovakia, Bucharest International Wine Competition

Chairman of International Wine Competition

Glass of Bubbly, London, UK

JoAnn is a Certified Specialist of Wine and a member of the Society of Wine Educators as well as a Certified Adv. Sommelier earning both a Certified American and Italian Wine Specialist Degree from the North American Sommelier Assn with honors. A Certificated Wine judge, American Wine Society. She has judged at numerous competitions all over the country. She works part time at two Hudson Valley Wine Destinations Brotherhood Americas Oldest Winery and is a Sommelier and Wine Educator at the Glenmere Mansion in Chester, N.Y JoAnn teaches numerous wine courses and continues her own education taking many master classes and advanced courses and has studied with some of the best in the business like Mary Ewing Mulligan MW, Charles Curtis MW, Roger Bromrich MS, Dr. John Buechsenstein UC Davis, Nick Jackson MW, Jamie Goode, Kevin Zaraly, Ian D'Agata, Denise Gardner and many other talented educators. She maintains a protocol of continuing wine education to stay relevant and current.

A highly accomplished wine professional and certified sommelier from Le Cordon Bleu College, with extensive international experience in wine evaluation and hospitality. Serving as an international certified wine judge, she brings a refined palate, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of global wine styles.

Her career includes experience as a sommelier with Celebrity Cruises, where she developed a strong foundation in wine service and guest engagement across diverse markets. In addition, she is actively involved in wine import and specializes in wine tourism, creating authentic and elevated wine experiences that connect people, culture, and terroir.

With a global perspective and a passion for excellence, she is dedicated to promoting quality, integrity, and innovation within the wine industry.

Sharyn Kervyn de Volkaersbeke holds a diploma with honors from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (dipWSET), is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators (CSW), and Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.  She is also an International OIV and American Wine Society (AWS) Certified Wine Judge with Merit, presiding over competitions in America and Europe annually, including London’s International Wine Challenge, where she was promoted from Associate to Judge in her first year, a distinction seldom bestowed. Sharyn opened the Getty Center Museum in Los Angeles as catering director, and held positions as wine director and general manager in California, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. Her achievements garnered media coverage in LA Confidential, Los Angeles Times, and E Television. She conducts wine seminars across America and London and serves on the national wine education committee for AWS.  Sharyn founded KdV Wine Services in 2021, and serves as Director and Head Judge for the Terroir New Jersey Wine Showcase.  Sharyn also teaches wine education courses she developed for AWS, Rutgers University and Camden County College (now a CWP Certification Course). Her credentials and experience earned her an invitation to SommCon Rhône Master’s immersion camp, membership in London's esteemed Association of Wine Educators (AWE), and annual 'Best of' Wine Spectator Awards during her 15-year tenure as the Wine Director for The Capital Grille.

Linda is retired as winemaker from RagApple Lassie Vineyards in NC. She has been a winemaker for 45 years. She is an internationally certified wine judge and has judged all over the United States and Canada. As a lifetime member of over 35 years in the American Wine Society, Linda has served on the Board of Directors, run the AWS Wine Judge Certification Program, and was voted Most Outstanding National Member in 1993.

• Retired from United States Navy, Submarine Service
• Graduate of St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA - BS Biology
• Retired from West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, Neurosurgical Research
• Member of American Wine Society, 1983 - Present
• American Wine Society Outstanding Member, 1998
• Chair, American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition, 1989 - 2006
• Chair, Festa Italiana Amateur Wine Competition, Vandergrift, PA 2004 - 2016
• Judge, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Rochester, NY, 2004 - 2016
• Judge, Great American International Wine Competition, Rochester, NY, 2017 - present
• Judge, North Carolina State Wine Competition, 2018 - 2020
• Judge, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, 2013 - present
• Judge, Pittsburgh Amateur Wine Competition, 1989 - 2019
• Presents wine education/seminars for the Alle-Kiski and Pittsburgh Chapters of the American Wine Society

Steve grew up with wine on the dinner table and to this day it’s rare that he doesn’t enjoy a glass or two with his evening meal.  After starting a career at Eli Lilly & Company he joined several wine and food appreciation groups to further his wine knowledge and began visiting California wine countries which has spread to include winery visits on 5 continents.   After early retirement from corporate life he became one of the wine makers at a leading Indiana winery and assumed the lead role during blending trials.  This role lasted 16 years until the owner died and the winery was sold to a larger northern Indiana winery where the production was moved to.  Steve and wife Kim started a small commercial vineyard in central Indiana in 2014 which continues today.

He started judging wine over 40 years ago and, except for the COVID interruption, judges at 4-6 competitions across the country annually.  Steve always feels that he expands his wine knowledge at every competition tasting different varietals and blends while learning from fellow judges’ perspectives.

Nancy has been involved in wine competitions since 2006. She was secretary of the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition (FLIWC) until 2015. She joined Great American International Wine Competition(GAIWC) in 2015. Her jobs include wine entries, organizing the warehouse, judge tours for international and out of town judges, working the judge room and backroom and competition secretary. She has worked the backroom of the NYS Fair Competition, the Massachusetts State Fair, the Garden State Wine Challenge, the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, the Texas International Wine Competition(TXIWC) and the American Wine Society Wine Competition. In 2018, along with her husband, Jeff, she was voted Outstanding Regional Vice President of the American Wine Society. She is WSET 2 and a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and a Certified Texas Wine Ambassador.

Nancy has judged the Great American International Wine Competition, Massachusetts State Fair, Hudson Valley Wine Competition and guest judged many competitions she has been involved with. She is a Finger Lakes Wine Aficionado and promotes Finger Lakes Wineries in all of her travels, whether it is in the US or International. She serves on the board of the Texas International Wine Competition and is responsible for judge itineraries and coordination. She is a registered nurse and a member of the Rug Hookers of the Finger Lakes. Nancy lives in Webster, New York and love to travel and camp with her husband, Jeff and their dog, Kiddy. “I can be packed to anywhere in the world in an hour”.

From his first sip of wicker-basket Chianti at his grandfather’s dinner table to the revelatory moment he tasted a 1986 Premier Cru Gevrey-Chambertin, Marshall Tilden III has always known that wine carries its own kind of magic. Tilden started with Wine Enthusiast in 2005 and went on to pursue his passion with purpose, earning his WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits in 2017 and becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators. Today, he serves as President of Wine Express and heads Wine Education across the organization, including the WSET-Approved Wine Enthusiast Academy. When he isn’t guiding consumers through the world of wine or shaping education for the next generation of enthusiasts, he can be found sharing his insights and stories in the pages of Wine Enthusiast.

Michael Wilson is a New Orleans–based wine educator, sommelier, and certified wine judge with a passion for making wine approachable, engaging, and memorable. He serves as an educator with Worlds of Wine, the American Wine Society, and Veracity of the Vine, and is currently a WSET Diploma candidate. His credentials include Certified Wine Judge with Merit through the American Wine Society, Certified Sommelier, Valpolicella Wine Specialist, Certified Champagne Specialist, and Certified Sherry Wine Specialist. In addition to leading tastings and educational seminars, he serves as Chapter Chair of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Wine Society and has judged in both national and international wine competitions.