Super Early
Deadline
December 20, 2024
Judging
Date
July 28, 2025
Winners
Announcement
August 12, 2025
Jusden received invaluable wine-pairing/tasting techniques from appointed Master Sommeliers in Michelin Star restaurants and 5-star luxury hotels while touring Europe with Lenny Kravitz. Jusden has over 13 years of experience in the wine industry encompassing buying, sourcing, winemaking, and marketing.
Jusden is currently the Head of Buying for Tri-Vin Imports out of New York. The company is one of the largest and fastest growing family-owned national importers and distributors of wine and spirits in the USA. He is also the founder and sales director of his own wine logistics company The Wine Handlers. Recently, Jusden held a position with Coles Liquor Group in Melbourne Australia. Jusden was in charge of sourcing and managing all international wines for four banners that encompass over 900 stores. Previous roles include managing and developing the Exclusive/Private Label wine portfolio, Bordeaux, sake, and vermouth categories for Bevmo! corporate. Additionally, Jusden was the assistant winemaker for El Sol Winery in Livermore Valley CA for 4+ years supported with various Oenology courses at UC Davis.
Jusden is WSET Level III Advanced in wine and a Certified Sake Professional. He was the lead on the Coles Quality Tasting Panel and also was part of the Bevmo! Wine Tasting Panel. Jusden is a professional wine judge and has regularly participated in major competitions throughout the USA, France and Australia.
Jusden resides in Washington State with his wife, and two daughters. In his free time, he collects/plays vintage drums from the 1920’s, enjoys mountain biking, and contemplates when to open bottles from his Bordeaux wine collection.