The USA Wine Ratings is going to take place on 23-24 July 2018, in San Francisco. The entries to the competition are already open. The USA Wine Ratings has invited Judges to assess all wines. These judges are the people from leading retail chains, wholesaler, distributors and on-trade groups across a variety of channels.

Here is the list of 10 Judges who are going to assess all wines for their quality, value and packaging.

Daniel Kapp

Daniel is currently working as a domestic wine buyer for an Import and Distribution Company. He has been studying and working in the wine industry for 15 years. He has studied the different areas of wine sales, marketing and management. He has both national and international experience in different sectors of trade including sales, hospitality, e-commerce and purchasing.

 

Amy Witz

Amy is currently a Sommelier, Beverage Specialist and Off-Premise VIP Manager at Hyatt Regency Chicago since Oct 2011. She has been working in the wine industry since May 2001. She has also received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

 

Jared Seitzer

Jared is On-Premise Wine Director/Wine Buyer at Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Spirits since 2016.He is responsible to taste wines/spirits and make purchasing decision based on quality, pricing and supply. He has been working in the wine industry since March 2000.

 

Sue Straight

Sue is currently a Wine Director at Oakville Grocery, based in Healdsburg, California. She has been working in Wine industry since 2010. “I lead a wine-drenched life. And I love it. A diverse skill-set, coupled with over 30 years of successful relevant professional experience have made me a unique wine industry professional.” -Says Sue.

 

Liz Thach

Liz is a Distinguished Professor of Wine at Sonoma State University for 17 years. Wine is her passion and she has visited most of the major wine regions of the world. She is also an award-winning author of 130 articles and 8 wine books. She obtained distinction of Master of Wine in May 2011.

 

Remi Petri

Remi Petri is currently a Head of Procurement at NackedWines.com, based in Napa, California. He has been working in Wine industry since 2002.

 

 

Caroline Morris

Caroline, based in Katy, Texas, is a Retail Wine Sales Professional for last 15 years. She has been working as a Beer and Wine Manager at H.E.B since 2012.

 

 

 

Annette Solomon

Annette is a wine writer and wine judge, also a California Wine Appellation Specialist, Certified Sommelier and WSET- Level II. She is currently a Wine Specialist at BevMo. She manages wine sales in the West Los Angeles.

 

 

Cesar Varela

Cesar, born in Peru, discovered his passion for wine, beer and spirits at the age of 20. So he pursued a carrier with the court of Master Sommeliers and related organizations.

 

 

 

Yong Zhu

Yong is a Lead Mixologist at China Live Ventures Limited LP since Mar 2017. He has been working in this industry since 2006. He loves to learn about spirits and cocktails. He is also passionate about mixology and hospitality industry.

Read about other Judges of USA Wine Ratings 2018 here.

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