Judging Panel
SJVWA 2011 Wine Competition Judges:
Expert Panel:
M. Carl Rana, MW – VP, Stefanelli Distributing
Chris Shakelford – Sommelier, Trelio
Stewart Epstein – Winemaker, Sunfire Estate
Hon. Gary Paden – Superior Court Judge, Tulare County
Oscar Ramos – Owner/Winemaker, Ramos-Torres
Chad Davis – Wine Collector
Randy Wenzel – Wine Collector / Photographer
Glenn Grabiec – Sommelier/Wine Buyer, The Wine Seller Apple Valley
Jeff Roberts – Granville Homes
Sam Aguilar – Erna’s Elderberry House
Hispanic Panel:
Pete Vasquez – Cellarmaster, Cardella Winery
Emilio Miranda – Viticulturist, Allied Grape Growers
Minnie Santillan – Chief of Staff, Assemblyman Henry T. Perea
Esther Cuevas – Economic Development Corporation
Lydia Zabrycki – Quad/Knopf
Jose Plascencia – Wine Lover
Bill Gutierrez – Vida en el Valle
Lou Martinez – Parlier City Manager
Jose Ramirez – Firebaugh City Manager
Jose Flores – Mayor, City of Clovis
Rojelio Vasquez- Fresno City Planning Commission
Luis Chavez- MPA- Chief of Staff Fresno City District 5-Councilmember Sal Quintero
Millennial Panel:
Sarah Moffatt – Vice Chair, Fresno Leading Young Professionals
Jillian Coppler – Program Representative, Fresno Pacific University
Dawn Steele – FLYP President
Rachelle Taylor – San Joaquin Valley College of Law
Jeffrey Garcia – VP, American Arbitration Association
Joe Denham – Denham Resources
Michael Canton – Owner, Iron Bird Café
Stephanie Moreno
Suzanne Weinstein
Lawrence Thomas – Owner – On Point Medical Transport
Lindsay Barsamian -Consultant
Sonya Speck- Owner, Click-Fli-A
Joey Biscay
More judges to be added as they are confirmed.
2009 Wine Judges & Key Personnel
Judging Panel
Claudio Basei, Cacciatore Fine Wines
Mac McCarthy, SavvyTaste
Clark Smith – Vinovation
Jim LaMar – J & L Wines
Glenn Barker – Wine Merchandising Specialist
Glenn Grabiec – Wine Seller, Apple Valley
Carl Rana, CSW – Stefanelli Distributing
Chris Shackelford – Trelio, Clovis
Nicole Darracq – Muir Hanna
Patrick J. Merrill – Merced, CA
J. Bryan Bitter – Wine Industry Analyst
Chris Turner – Wine Broker, Fresno, CA
John T. Pashayan – The Hi Life, Kingsburg
Food Prepared By:
G. Kosta Papadonakis
Support Staff:
Keri Hennassay
Elsa Lara
Frank Butterfield
Matthew Cholakian
Delia Cholakian
Adam Cholakian
Kasey Schwartz
Christian Timothy
Roger King
Emilio Miranda
Karl Lehman
Brad Walters
Nathan Cardella
Alexis Rau