2026 Judges
Alana Arnot
Winemaker Longhorn Cellars
Peter Becraft
Winemaker, Anthony Road Wine Company
Searching for a place where the water tastes like wine, Peter made his way to the Finger Lakes in 2006. Harboring among the vines at Anthony Road, he never left. Years of apprenticing gave way to opportunity in 2014 when he took over chief expression of site responsibilities at Anthony Road Wine Company. With a healthy respect for the region’s past, presently Peter forges the excitement of the Finger Lakes’ future.
Peter Bell
Wine Consultant/Educator, Former Winemaker, Fox Run Vineyards
Peter Bell has been making wine in the Finger Lakes since 1990. He was head winemaker at Fox Run Vineyards for 27 years before retiring in 2022 and now consults to a number of eastern wineries.
Peter was an adjunct lecturer at Cornell University for 15 years and also found time to serve as visiting winemaker at the University of Adelaide in 2004. He has also lectured and consulted in Hungary, France, Spain, Serbia, China, and throughout the USA.
Fox Run Vineyards was named one of the top 100 wineries in the world by Wine and Spirits Magazine in 2008. Peter was named one of the 20 most admired winemakers in North America by Vineyard and Winery Management magazine in 2014. In 2019 he received the Atlantic Seaboard Unity Award, and in 2020 the Jim Finkle Industry Award, both for his services to wine. Most recently, he was listed as One of Wine's Most Inspiring People in 2023 by Wine Industry Advisor.
Tim Benedict
Winemaker, Hazlitt 1852 CellarsTim's roots run deep in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, where he grew up surrounded by his grandfather's vineyards. As the winemaker for Hazlitt Winery, he will celebrate 34 years of winemaking in 2025, with a total of 40 years’ experience in the grape and wine industry. Throughout his career, Tim has crafted many award-winning wines from vinifera, hybrid, and native varieties, specializing in dessert wines like Port, Sherry, Late Harvest, and Ice Wines. In recent years he has expanded his portfolio to include hard cider, formula wines and RTD cocktails. He has also had the privilege of judging wines in several international competitions. When not at the winery, Tim remains deeply connected to his community, helping his son with the family farm, playing music professionally, and serving as an assistant chief with his local volunteer fire department.
Marin Berovic
Member & Chairman of European Wine Competitions, European Wine Knights
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
Doris Miculan Bradley
Professor-Sommelier-Certified Chef
Doris Miculan Bradley is a Professor at The School of Hospitality Tourism Management at George Brown College, Toronto, Ontario. Her career includes Restaurateur for Canada’s National Monument the CN Tower’s 360 Revolving Restaurant, Certified Chef, Five Level Certified Sommelier, International Wine Judge, Wine and Beverage Journalist, AGCO Licensed Import Agent, Brand Ambassador for The Wines of Vinho Verde Portugal. Doris has served the Board of Directors for The Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, The Canadian Association of Foodservice Professionals and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Canada’s Grapes for Humanity as President and CEO. Her most recent academic publications include Wine and Tourism: A Strategic Segment for Sustainable Economic Development, New World Labels for Old World Traditions and Wine and Tourism: Eurac Research, Vinsseaux Traditionel. She holds the title of Gentle Dame, knighted by Chateau Magnol in Bordeaux, France. “Life is an interaction and exploration of people, food and beverage and culture. How wonderful it is when the appreciation for this journey aligns with life.”
JoAnn DeGaglia
CSW,CS Certified Wine Judge
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.
Andrejka Gazovic
Owner - VinoFeel Global and Sustainability
Owner and CEO of Sustainabilityfy / Vinofeelglobal company, who promotes Slovenian wines and work on sustainability tourism projects
Certified Sommelier of Le Cordon Bleu USA ( wine and management program )
Certified wine judge ( Biochemical University Slovenia)
Master degree from University of Tourism / Turistica Slovenia
Degree from wine and management program within Le Cordon Bleu
Tourism and marketing project manager
Wine knight of Eu order
Wine lover, enthusiast
5 years at Celebrity Cruises as sommelier and wine master
over 20 years of work in the wine and tourism industry
Dedicated to promote Slovenian wines around the world - focus on USA within last 6 years through numerous tourism and specialized wine events, tastings, etc..
Klaudia Hajduchova
Oenologist, Winemaker
Lorraine Hems
Wine Educator, CS, CWE, CSS, CWJ
Lorraine's a lecturer at the Rochester Institute of Technology's Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. She's also an instructor at the New York Kitchen in Canandaigua, NY. Lorraine is a Certified Sommelier with The Court of Master Sommeliers. She is a Certified Specialist of Spirits and Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators, Certified Bordeaux Educator with L'ecole du Vin de Bordeaux/SOPEXA and sits on the SWE Board of Directors. After becoming a Certified Wine Judge through American Wine Society, she became an instructor for the program. Lorraine enjoys attending and presenting at conferences as well as judging competitions around the world.
Craig Hosbach
Holly Howell
Certified Sommelier, CSW, Educator
Holly grew up in a food-loving family in Pittsford, New York. Her family owned a Cooking School called “The Seasonal Kitchen” for over 45 years. She was the wine columnist for the Rochester Gannett Democrat and Chronicle newspaper for 13 years, and has been a wine consultant at Marketview Liquor since 2015. She often speaks at special wine events, judges at international wine competitions, and leads many educational wine seminars and programs in Rochester and the surrounding areas.
She is an enthusiastic supporter of the Finger Lakes wine region, and leads many tours to the local wineries, breweries, organic farms, cheesemakers, and other locavore destinations. She owns a business called “UNCORKED”, which focuses on wine education.
Since 2013, Holly has been an official Wine Host for AMAWaterways River Cruises in Europe. She has led wine-themed tours through some of Europe’s most picturesque wine regions, including the Rhine of Germany, the Danube of Austria, the Gironde of Bordeaux, and the Douro of Portugal. The cruises include winery visits and daily wine seminars aboard the ship presented by Holly.
Holly is a CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) through the Society of Wine Educators; a CS (Certified Sommelier) through the Master Court; and is currently pursuing her diploma through the WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust). Holly loves to teach and has an enthusiastic and fun approach to learning!
Sharyn Kervyn
dipWSET, CSW, CWJ, Founder KdV Wine Services
Sharyn Kervyn (de Volkaersbeke)is passionate about wine. Her entire professional career has been devoted to this Industry; learning and sharing her knowledge with the staff she trains, at lectures, seminars and with fellow enthusiasts in the wine organizations to which she belongs. She is a member of The Dionysian Wine Society, The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Society of Wine Educators (SWE), and The American Wine Society (AWS), where she served as National Tasting Project Chair (2016-2021), Regional Vice President (2017-2019) and Co-chairs an AWS Chapter. She is a Certified Wine Judge (CWJ) with AWS, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) with SWE, and Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Sharyn is also a dipWSET graduate (diploma level 4, their top ranking). As a CWJ she has been judging annually for Amateur, Commercial and International Competitions across the country since 2010, including the Sommelier’s Choice Awards, USA Wine Ratings, Texas International, The Great American and the Finger Lakes International.
Having grown up in her family’s restaurant, specializing in wine was a natural progression for Sharyn. Throughout her career she expanded operations for multi-unit chains, increasing profits and creating popular neighborhood venues through special events and promotions. She opened the Getty Center Museum in Los Angeles in 1997 as their Catering Director, developing their standards of service (still in use today). In Beverly Hills, California she restructured a dining venue for Barneys New York and created elaborate on and off premise events for Hollywood Elite. Sharyn was also the wine director at these locations, training the staff and overseeing the Wine Lists. She has consistently earned “Best of” Wine Spectator Awards (2 glasses) for her lists at The Capital Grille locations where she worked for more than a decade.
Sharyn currently serves on the Wine Education Committee for AWS, serving as a National Wine Educator. Sharyn founded KdV Wine Services in 2021.
Linda King
Certified International Wine Judge, Winemaker, Winery Consultant, Educator
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.
Matthew Kristofik
Past Chairman of American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition
- 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
Ellen Landis
Wine Journalist/Certified Sommelier, Wine Educator
Ellen is a published Wine Writer, Certified Sommelier, Certified Wine Specialist, Wine Educator and Professional Wine Judge. She is the author of the blog EllenOnWine.com and writes for the AWS Wine Journal (AmericanWineSociety.org) among other publications.
Ellen is a moderator for the highly acclaimed Vintner’s Holidays annual event at the Majestic (formerly Ahwahnee) Hotel in Yosemite, and participates as a key speaker, moderator and panelist at various other wine events. For sixteen years, she and husband Ken co-owned award winning Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn where Ellen served as Wine Director and Sommelier. They recently sold their Inn to devote more time to the world of wine. Ellen was also a Sommelier at the Ritz Carlton for several years.
In addition to an MBA, Ellen’s wine education includes UC Davis viticulture course work, CSW certification from the Society of Wine Educators program, and holds the credential of Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Ellen serves as a judge at numerous national and international wine competitions including the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Mid-American Wine Competition, The Great American International Wine Competition, California State Fair Wine Competition, American Fine Wine Competition, North Coast Wine Challenge, Amador County Fair Wine Competition, Sonoma Harvest Fair Wine Competition, East Meets West Competition, Harvest Challenge International Wine Competition, The Cascadia Wine Competition, Savor Northwest Wine Competition, Dan Berger International Wine Competition, Michigan Wine & Spirits Competition, Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition, Mendocino County Wine Competition, Monterey Wine Competition, Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging, and the Central Coast Wine Competition.
Annemarie Morse
Master of Oenology, Wine Educator/Journalist, International OIV & Certified Wine Judge
Annemarie Morse has a Master's Degree in Oenology from Cornell University and has worked through harvest and blending as an assistant winemaker. She is the Director of Education for the American Wine Society, an organization dedicated to consumer wine education with a program in wine judge certification, having over 7000 members nationwide. Annemarie is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and writes for various publications. She has taught as a wine studies and marketing Lecturer, at a college level and guest lectured at Cornell University for more than 8 years in various classes. Annemarie is a certified wine judge with Merit and has judged internationally and nationally for wine competitions for over 11 years. She is a trained member of the Cornell University Sensory Evaluation Panel, evaluating research and client wine, spirits, and cheeses. Annemarie has tested out of WSET Level 1&2 and is preparing for the Level 3 exam. She has passed the Court of Master Sommeliers First level exam and studied at the certified level. Annemarie has hosted wine tours nationally and internationally.
Her company, Wine By Annemarie, LLC, http://winebyannemarie.com/ provides consulting services to restaurants, as well as classes and events for staff, students, alumni and the community. Her passion for wine and increasing her wine knowledge has led to continued wine education opportunities, including certifying as a specialist in the Wine and Food of Central Italy, with Ian D'Agata.
Julie Purpura
CSW, Certified Sommelier, WSET 3, educatorJulie Purpura has spent more than half her life working in the hospitality industry. Born and raised in the Finger Lakes, Julie has spent the last 20 years following her two greatest passions: education and wine.
Upon graduating with a Master of Science in Teaching, Julie was hired as Winery Program Coordinator and Instructor of Hospitality & Tourism at Jefferson Community College.
She is a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers, has attained her WSET level 3, and is a C.S.W. through the Society of Wine Educators.
Notably, she is proud of her personal relationships within the incredible wine community. Julie is respected for her approachable style, insightful knowledge, and authentic passion for sharing her stories about the wine and spirits industry.
She has worked with the NY Wine & Culinary Center (now called ‘New York Kitchen’) and the NY Wine & Grape Foundation in helping promote our family-owned craft beverages.
Her company, Wine Knot Experiences' mission is to Educate, Entertain, and Connect.
Roman Smid
Oenologist, Winery Owner
Steve Somermeyer
Owner, Somermeyer Farms Vineyard
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.
Marshall Tilden III
DipWSET, Head of Wine Enthusiasts Academy, CSW, DWS, Wine Enthusiast's WSET Education Program
From his first sips of wicker basket Chianti at his grandfather’s dinner table to a 1986 Premier Cru Gevrey-Chambertin, Tilden knew that there was something magical about wine. He earned his Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators. Having been with Wine Enthusiast catalog since 2005, when he is not writing about wine he also runs the wine storage division and is head of the Wine Enthusiast Academy, Wine Enthusiast's WSET education program.