Meet the 2026 Chief Judge

Founder

Wine Spoken Here Public Relations- Napa, California

Jeff Slankard

Wine & Beer Director

Barons Market - San Diego, California

Meet Our 2026 Judges

Jeff Degner

Wine Buyer

Specs Wines, Spirits and Finer Foods - Texas

Allison Levine

Wine Marketing and Freelance Wine Writer

Please The Palate - Los Angeles, California

Jamie Knee

Founder

Petite Wine Traveler - Santa Barbara, California

Pat Dodd

Proprietor

The Wine Dodd - Modesto, California

Sandi Taylor

Head Sommelier

Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada

Brian Marquez

Winemaker

Wiens Family Cellars - Temecula, California

Shawn Richcreek

Regional Business Partner/Buyer

Total Wine & More- Southern California

Chris Braun

Wine Importer

Advinture - Southern California

Omar Lima

Certified Sommelier, WSET 2, Certified Saké Advisor - Los Angeles, California

Jessie “JABS” Birschbach

Wine, Beer & Spirits Senior Editor

The SOMM Journal - Los Angeles, California

Want to become a judge with us?

If you are a wine professional, dedicated to promoting wine and are a leader within our industry, send us your resume.

In Memoriam

  • Don Galleano

    Mr. Galleano was the President of The Historic Galleano Winery, which made it a third generation of wine growers in the Cucamonga Valley. Galleano Winery produces Old Vine Zinfandel and world class Ports, Sherries and Angelica.

    Mr. Galleano passed away in June 2021. He lived a life “well lived”- his life is beautifully chronicled at https://dongalleano.com/

    He is sorely missed.

  • Chuck Keagle

    Chuck Keagle of Upland, California, was the founder, owner, and CEO of Cask & Cleaver restaurants and the Sycamore Inn. Chuck is a former board member of the Collins School of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona, and the California Avocado Commission and the California Restaurant Association. Chuck was an avocado grower and former wine grape grower. Chuck was a valued judge at Pacific Rim Wine Competition for many decades. He will be missed.

  • Harry McWatters

    Mr. Harry McWatters was the president of Encore Vineyards Ltd., Vintage Consulting Group Inc. In 1980, Mr. McWatters was Chairman of the Board for Viridium Pacific Group Ltd. until June 4, 2018. He founded Sumac Ridge Estate Wine Group, in 1995 he founded See Ya Later Ranch Estate Winery (both acquired by Vincor Canada), he acted as president to both companies and was Vice President of Vincor until 2008. Since 2008, Mr. McWatters has launched TIME Estate Winery and the McWatters Collection. Mr. McWatters was instrumental in founding the VQA Canada and served as its first chairman, and was also the founding chair of the BC Wine Institute and many other foundations and societies in the wine industry. Harry passed on in 2019 and he was a valued judge and fierce supporter of Pacific Rim Wine Competition. He is sorely missed.