The 2025 USAWR judging panel comprises of masters of wines, top national chain wine buyers and independent wine shop buyers. This is the only competition in USA that is focused on helping you grow in the retail channel of USA. By getting your wines judged by a very important group of trade buyers, you not only get a constructive feedback but also have your products seen to them.

Here are our 2025 judges:

Susan Lin, MW – Master of Wine and Head of Wine Expertise at Belmont Wine Exchange.​

Peter Marks, MW – Master of Wine with extensive experience in wine education and judging.​

Bob Paulinski, MW – Master of Wine

Kimberly Shannon – Beer, Wine, and Liquor Specialist at Giant Eagle, Inc.

Henry Brimo – Wine Category Manager at Southeastern Grocers

Dejah S. Overby – Wine and Spirits Specialist at K&L Wine Merchants

Bruce Abbott – President at Liquor Stores USA North Inc

Ryan Anderson – Wine Manager at Total Wine & More

Steve Beckner, CSW – Wine & Spirits Buyer at Grocery Outlet

Emily Carlson – Wine Buyer at Last Bottle, Inc.

Hady Kahale – Director of Wine Buying and Planning at Naked Wines USA

Greg Richtarek – Wine & Spirits Manager at Safeway Stores, Inc.

Kathleen Brookshire – Owner and Buyer at Table Wine Merchant

James Kung – Wine & Spirits Specialist at DFS Group Limited

Donald Norton – President at Noe Valley Wine & Spirits

Jusden Aumand – Head of Buying at Tri-Vin Imports, Inc.

Rachelle Carandang – Senior Manager - Product Development and Sourcing, Beverages at Sam's Club

Eduardo Dingler – VP of Wine at Wine Access

Peter Granoff, MS – Master Sommelier and Owner/Partner of Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant

Kylie-Ayn Kennedy – Buyer/Lead at Bay Grape

Tim Marson, MW – Master of Wine and Category Director at Wine.com

Obreanna McReynolds – Co-Founder of Burden of Proof

Jeff Slankard – Wine Director at Barons Marketplace

Bert Svensson – Wine, Beer, Spirits - Liquor Department Manager and Buyer at Albertsons

Dr. Liz Thach, MW – Master of Wine

Sarah Trubnick – Wine & Spirits Director, Owner and Wine Director at The Barrel Room San Francisco.​

Kristen Zuver – Director of Purchasing at Bounty Hunter Wine and Spirits

Judged by Real Trade Buyers, Not Just Critics

At USA Wine Ratings, your wines are evaluated by top retail buyers, sommeliers, importers, and distributors—the professionals who actually decide what gets listed, stocked, and poured. These are the gatekeepers to the market, and their approval carries direct commercial weight.

Why it matters: Winning their endorsement means your wine aligns with what U.S. consumers are actually buying. It’s not just a score; it’s a signal to the trade that your wine is market-ready.

Three Real-World Judging Criteria

Wines are judged on:

Quality

Value for Money

Packaging & Shelf Appeal

This is how real trade buyers think. They don’t just look for great wine—they look for great wine that sells. If your wine wins, it means it passed all three tests used in the real retail and on-trade world.

Build Trust With Buyers & Consumers

A medal from USA Wine Ratings tells importers, distributors, and retailers:

This wine has trade validation.

It delivers on value.

It looks good on shelf and resonates with buyers.

Global Brands. U.S. Exposure.

For international brands, USA Wine Ratings offers a powerful entry point into the competitive U.S. market. It puts your wine in front of America’s most respected buyers and helps build visibility with those who matter most.

Actionable Feedback

Every entrant receives a score breakdown and judges’ tasting notes. That’s rare in competitions—and valuable for producers seeking to improve, reposition, or plan U.S. market launches.
Enter USA Wine Ratings to gain the trust of real buyers, test your wine’s market-readiness, and increase your brand’s chances of success in one of the most competitive wine markets in the world.

Submit your wines here before the May 20 early bird deadline.