TASTING PANEL

The Seattle Wine Awards could not be possible without the essential and valued contributions of our distinguished group of Northwest wine professionals. Our Tasting Panel features top local and national wine professionals consisting of highly respected Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, wine buyers, wine directors, sommeliers and journalists.

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HIGHEST INTEGRITY

THOROUGH EVALUATION

Our thorough evaluation is of the highest integrity and our thoughtful process provides both our Tasting Panel and entries the best environment for tasting.

  • CHRIS ARORA
    Lead Sommelier, John Howie Steak
  • JEAN-CLAUDE BEC
    Winemaker, Woodhouse Family / Le Bec Fin
  • JOEL BUTLER
    Master of Wine / World of Wine.com
  • CHRISTOPHER CHAN
    Advanced Sommelier, Happy Hour Radio
  • DR. GREGORY CHAN
    Vice-Echanson – La Chaine des Rotisseurs
  • JEFF COX
    Wine Director, PCC Markets
  • NANCY CROSIER
    Founder, VinoSocial.wine
  • CHIP CROTEAU
    Wine Director, Ray’s Boathouse
  • REGGIE DAIGNEAULT
    Wine Educator – ReggieWine.com
  • SHELLY FITZGERALD
    Wine Educator, Columbia Winery
  • JEFF FOURNIER
    WA State Wine Buyer, Esquin Wine & Spirits
  • D. MARIA HALSTEAD
    Wine Marketing, NW Wine Academy
  • ROY HERSH
    ForTheLoveofPort.com
  • TRACEY LaPIERRE
    Enologist, Seattle Wine Lab
  • GREG LILL
    Co-Founder, DeLille Cellars
  • TIM O’BRIEN
    Beverage Director, Salty’s Seafood Grills
  • SUSAN PLUNKETT
    Wine Team, Grocery Outlet
  • LENNY REDE
    Wine Buyer, New Seasons Market Mercer Island, WA
  • SERENA ROBERGE-GORDON
    President, Puget Sound Wine Growers
  • ED RYDBECK
    Co-Founder, Seattle Enological Society
  • AUBREY TERRAZAS
    Advanced Sommelier – OMVino.com, San Francisco, CA
  • OLE THOMPSON
    Advanced Sommelier, Seattle, WA
  • TIFFANY TOBEY
    Wine Director / Sommelier, Hilton Hotel – Dallas, TX
  • ELI TRAVERSE
    Advanced Sommelier, Avennia Wines
  • MINA WILLIAMS
    Certified Sommelier / Blanc et Rouge Wine / NW Stir

RECEIVED, REVIEWED & CONFIRMED

WINE ENTRIES

Each entry is personally received, reviewed, confirmed and entered into our program matrix. Each bottle is proofed for soundness by a team of certified sommeliers to ensure the wine is true to its’ origin. All entries are checked for bottle variation and tainted wines (TCA, Acetic Acid or Oxidation) are never poured for our panel.

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