Our Judges
Greg Miseyko, Chief Judge and Judging Coordinator
Greg Miseyko has studied, collected and consulted in wines for 45 years including a wildly fortunate mentoring experience with five Masters of Wine in London. Greg returned to his home state of California acquiring wines for collectors while deepening relationships across the wine industry. He co-founded Napa producer Red Mare Wines from 2007 until he sold in 2018. He has arranged hundreds of wine country tours for collectors. He works as a Financial Advisor in Boca Raton, and teaches wine tasting clinics in homes, businesses, alumni groups, clubs and restaurants. He earned his WSET level 3 award With Merit through Florida Wine Academy in Miami. 2019 marked his second year as Chief Judge and Judging Coordinator for the American Fine Wine Competition. His most popular lectures explore how sensory perceptions engage the mind to enhance the enjoyment of wine.
Alessandra Esteves
Alessandra Esteves is the co-founder and Director of Wine Education for the Florida Wine Academy. She is a WSET Certified Educator and holds the WSET Level 4 (Diploma) in Wines & Spirits. She also has the French Wine Scholar and a Champagne Master Level by the Wine Scholar Guild, the Master of Rioja DOCa certification, Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and the WSET Level 1 in Sake. She is currently a candidate for the Masters of Wine certification. Mrs. Esteves is also the co-founder of Miami Champagne Week, 305Wines, and VinoSummit, the first conference dedicated to wine professionals in Florida. Mrs. Esteves’ articles on wine and related subjects have been published in books and magazines in different countries. Mrs. Esteves has also served as an Associate Judge at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. More recently, Ms. Esteves participated as a Competition Judge at the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America Convention & Exposition and as a Wine Judge for the American Fine Wine Competition. Previously, Ms. Esteves practiced as a corporate lawyer in Brazil and Germany, having joined the Brazilian Bar Association in 2000. She is fluent in Portuguese, German, English, Italian, and Spanish; and has acquired a primary proficiency in French.
Dr. Barry H. Gump
Dr. Barry H. Gump is the first holder of the Harvey R. Chaplin Eminent Scholarʼs Chair in Beverage Management at Florida International Universityʼs School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Dr. Gump is a noted wine author, and has been a professional wine judge for many years at a number of major wine competitions.
Celeste Bailey
Celeste Bailey is a wine educator for the Florida Wine Academy in Miami, Florida. Ms. Bailey is certified to teach WSET and Wine Scholar Guild courses and teaches a variety of masterclasses for the Florida Wine Academy. She is WSET Level 3 certified, holds a Masters of Rhone, a Masters of Rioja DOCa, and has completed Level 1 of the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Collin Bleess
Collin Bleess is an accomplished Sommelier. Born and raised outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Collin began his hospitality career growing up in and around his grandparents’ restaurants, helping whenever he could. After completing his degree in business management, he made the exciting decision to build his resume and expand his horizons. Collin moved to his current home of the past ten years, Miami, Florida. Collin has always been an avid fan of wine. His passion for wine grew immensely once he took his first introductory sommelier course. Spawning a new and deeper appreciation for all thing’s vino! The correlation just clicked for him between wine and sense of place or “terroir” as they call it. His studies continued and shortly he went on to receive his Sommelier Certification with the Court of Master Sommelier’s in 2014. Collin is also an avid Sake enthusiast. He is also currently a Certified Sake Sommelier actively studying for his Advanced Sake Certification in Japan this winter.
Eduardo Dingler
Born in Mexico, wine brought him to the Napa Valley in the United States where he spent a number of years studying wine. He fell in love with sake about 15 years ago and started learning about it at a personal level. In 2010 he was hired as the Beverage Director for Morimoto Napa and later became the Global Corporate Beverage Director for the Morimoto Restaurant Group. During this time, he received his Court of Master Sommelier Certificate and Certified Sake Professional Diploma. He fell deeply in love with Japan and the culture traveling several times a year researching Sake, Shochu, Beer and Spirits. He is an International Sake, Wine and Spirits Judge taking part in The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Japan Wine and Sake Challenge and Las Vegas Global Spirits Competition on a yearly basis. Eduardo is also an Independent Journalist contributing to a number of publications covering Food and Beverage like The Napa Valley Register, Decanter Magazine, WANDS, Tasting Panel, Somm Journal and Sake Tips Blog. He is currently Vice President of Wine for Wine Access Company and a sake educator and Ambassador.
Guilherme de Macedo
Guilherme de Macedo is the Co-founder and General Manager for the Florida Wine Academy. Mr. Macedo has a BA and MBA in Business Administration and has worked in the Chemical industry for more than 15 years. His professional career led him to work in Germany, Switzerland, Brazil and Central America and he is fluent in 4 languages. At the Florida Wine Academy, he is responsible for the Sake Education Program. He is also responsible developing new partnerships with corporations, associations, and chambers of commerce, oversee all back office activities and ensure quality control at all levels. Mr. Macedo is a Master Sake Sommelier (MSS) and a Sake Educator by the Sake Sommelier Association (SSA). He is an International Kikisake-Shi, Japanese Sake Adviser by the SSI (Sake Service Institute) and WSET Level 3 Sake Certified. Mr. Macedo is also a Certified Sake Professional by the Sake Education Council. Additionally, Mr. Macedo has the WSET Level 1 in Spirits, Court of Master Sommelier Level 1 and passed the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits with distinction.
Jen Schmitt
Jen has been working in the hospitality industry for many years now in various styles of service and positions. She served as Wine Director/ Sommelier at Everest Restaurant in the Greater Chicago area from 2012 - 2016. She is currently the Head Sommelier at Zuma in Miami, an international company with a Japanese focus. ZUMA is a benchmark in Miami and around the world for food, service, and beverage. The beverage program created by Jen is neither selfish nor stale, but a thoughtful layering of business relationships and passion for this craft.
Johnny Wall
Johnny Wall is the General Manager and Wine Director for Primo Liquors and Fine Wines. Johnny's career and experience in the industry stems over 14 years from having worked in all aspects of the alcohol three-tier system. From import, distribution, to now retail where he curates a selection of thousands of bottles of fine wine and spirits across five locations. His favorite categories to explore and teach his clients about are Italian wines and whiskies from around the world. Johnny is WSET Level 3 certified and an Italian Wine Specialist with the North American Sommelier Association.
Marcell Keys
Marcell Keys isn’t your average beverage manager. In fact, nothing about Marcell Keys’ rise to become Chops’ Beverage Manager is normal. While Marcell has been at Chops since the day it opened, he first worked as a server before being promoted to Manager, then Beverage Manager, and eventually found his passion studying wine and becoming the newest member of the Guild of Sommeliers.
Monty Preiser
Monty Preiser served as Chief Judge and Judging Coordinator for the first decade of American Fine Wine Competition. He is a former wine writer for the Boca Raton News and wine evaluator for Boca Raton Magazine. He co-owns a company which instructs professionals about wine, is the principal wine writer for a large internet website, has judged competitions nationwide, and publishes The Preiser Key to Napa Valley, Napaʼs only comprehensive guide to wines and restaurants.
Peg San Felippo
Peg San Felippo has been writing about wine and wine related issues for the last decade. A past chair of The American Institute of Wine and Food – Wisconsin Chapter, Peg is also a former wine columnist for The Palm Beach Post, and has written for numerous publications across the country including Wine Business Monthly and Wine Business Insider.
Sara Preiser
Sara Preiser, who is also a co-founder of the American Fine Wine Competition, resides full time in Palm Beach County, but divides her time between Florida and Napa, where she spends her time visiting wineries, studying wines, publishing a well-known guide, and owning a boutique winery. Writing about wines for almost 30 years, Ms. Preiser is the publisher of the world’s most comprehensive guide to Napa Valley wineries and restaurants titled, appropriately, The Preiser Key. Over the years, Sara has served as wine columnist and wine editor for the Boca Raton News, the South Florida Business Journal, Venu Fine Living, Coastal Carolina Life, BOCA Magazine, North Bay Biz Journal, and Suncoast Living. Sara has judged at numerous wine competitions nationwide.
Stu Nudelman
In addition to being a WSET Level 2 Certified Wine Professional, Stu is an On-Air Host for his globally successful radio show: Wine Talk with Stu The Wine Guru now in its 11th year of broadcasting. He is a wine journalist for: Simply The Best Magazine and Thrive Media (Arianna Huffington’s latest venture). Stu can also be found on TV presenting wine segments on NBC, CNBC and PBS along with many other web shows. He has hosted many fine wine tasting events for companies such as Fidelity Investments, Chase Bank, Florida Panthers Hockey, as well as some of the top rated restaurants in the U.S. and abroad.
Tony Lawrence
Tony Lawrence, The Global Winechef in Philadelphia, creates unique wine dinners for corporate events, country clubs, destination events (vineyards) and private special occasions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Widener University and interned as a chef in Germany. Tony is a Pro-Chef graduate, as well as a Food & Wine Pairing Specialist from the CIA Greystone, Napa Valley. Thirty-eight years as a professional wine judge, guided his passion to create a blueprint, for unique pairing events, focused on making food & wine pairing educational and truly memorable.
Wendy Shore Rosano
Wendy Shore Rosano, a 25-year veteran in the restaurant business, has owned and operated over half a dozen restaurants. She takes direct responsibility at each establishment for her wine lists which frequently received honorable mention. Wendy currently works as a consultant for the hospitality industry. She holds her intermediate certification in wine and spirits from WSET (The Wine and Spirit Education Trust of London) and has participated in hundreds of formal and informal industry tastings.
Zack Foley
Zack Foley, a passionate wine professional, has 20+ years in the hospitality industry. Zack has his WSET2 and is the Beverage Director of Boatyard Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale. He is currently waiting to take the Certified Sommelier exam.
Amanda Fraga
To Amanda Fraga, every glass of wine is like traveling and visiting a new place. She first discovered her love for hospitality working at a local bar while attending Florida International University. To explore the industry further, Fraga took a wine course at FIU, which is known for its wine program, and fell in love. After graduating in 2011 with her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a minor in Beverage Management, Fraga earned a position as a wine steward at The Setai, Miami Beach. Always looking for opportunities to continue her education, Amanda traveled to Burgundy, France in 2014. After returning from France, Fraga joined the esteemed team at The Genuine Hospitality Group (TGHG). She began as a sommelier at Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink before transitioning to Beverage Manager. Fraga is now the Sommelier at Amara at Paraiso, Chef Michael Schwartz’s newest Miami restaurant defined as his “love letter to Miami". In her career, Amanda has been awarded the Level 2 Sommelier certification and is currently studying to complete Level 3 of the Court of Master Sommelier’s exam.
Brian Connors
Brian Connors is the Director of the Bacardi Center of Excellence and Clinical Teaching Professor at FlU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. He is also the lead faculty for the Beverage Management programs at the Chaplin School. He was the Wine & Beverage Consultant for Celebrity Cruises. Brian has developed nationally recognized, award winning wine and beverage programs, and has appeared on the Travel Channel’s ‘Trip of a Lifetime’ as well as national television and print media features. Brian earned his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University, has trained for his Sommelier certification at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and certified by the Court of Master Sommelier. He is also a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators, International Bordeaux Wine Educator (IBWE) through The Bordeaux Wine Trade Council (CIVB) and a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) according to standards achieved through the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Brian has a Master's degree from the top ranked Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, and a Bachelor of Science from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, which is a specialized business school in the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University.
Cary Combine
Cary's affiliation with the American Fine Wine Competition began as a panel judge in 2012. With more than 20 years of experience, she repeatedly demonstrates her passion and knowledge leading by example and through collaborations with likewise professionals within the wine community. She is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine by the Society of Wine Educators. Cary is a native Floridian and resides in Delray Beach with her husband, their two dogs and four cats.
Charlie Arturaola
Charlie Arturaola has dedicated his life’s work to serving, informing, educating, and entertaining people around the world about wine, becoming an internationally renowned sommelier. Arturaola has communicated about wine in all ways imaginable, from sommelier, corporate wine director to teacher, mentor, appraiser, contestant judge, actor, and president of his own wine consulting and appraising firm, Grappolo Blu Inc. based in Miami Beach, Florida. Arturaola has also molded the next generation of sommeliers and wine lovers by mentoring students pursuing Masters degrees in hospitality at Johnson & Wales and Lynn Universities in Florida.
Daisy Penzo
Born in Rome, Italy and moved to South Florida at a young age, Daisy Penzo has dedicated her professional career in the promotion of Italian wines, culture, and gastronomy. Today, she owns and operates Tuscany Wines Import, a women-owned company that provides importing, sales, and marketing services to Italian wineries. Her focus is to represent family owned wineries that seek to preserve the authenticity of Italy’s wine heritage and have a story to tell. Daisy has earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from FAU and completed the Advanced Business of Wine course at FIU. She is an Italian Wine Specialist with the North American Sommelier Association and has passed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with the highest score of Distinction. She is currently pursuing her Italian Wine Scholar certificate with the Wine Scholar Guild.
Delius Shirley
Delius Shirley, proprietor of former Ortanique in Miami and the Cayman Islands, has been a restaurateur and consultant for more than 20 years, consistently collecting accolades from his peers for his ability to create wine lists of distinction nationwide. He is driven by a passion for an evolving wine industry and its opportunity for education. he is also the F&B Director at the Dunmore Beach Hotel, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Ellen Landis
Ellen is a published Wine Writer, Certified Sommelier, Certified Wine Specialist, Wine Educator and Professional Wine Judge. She is the author of the blog EllenOnWine.com and writes for the AWS Wine Journal among other publications. Ellen is a moderator for the highly acclaimed Vintner’s Holidays annual event at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, and participates as a key speaker, moderator, and panelist at various other wine events. For the past sixteen plus years, she and husband Ken co-owned award-winning Landis Shores Oceanfront Inn where Ellen served as Wine Director and Sommelier. They recently sold their Inn to devote more time to the world of wine. Ellen was also a Sommelier at the Ritz Carlton for several years. Ellen has traveled many wine regions throughout North America including California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut, New Mexico, Arizona, New York and Canada, and several international wine regions including Bordeaux, Champagne, Burgundy, Rhone, Tuscany, and wine regions throughout Spain, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. In addition to an MBA, Ellen’s wine education includes UC Davis viticulture course work, CSW certification from the Society of Wine Educators program, and holds the credential of Certified Sommelier (CS) from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
Henry Escobar
Henry Escobar’s first introduction to wines was while working at the famous Windows on the World restaurant in Manhattan NY in 1978, under the direction of Kevin Zraly who not only was a teacher, but a mentor earning a sommelier Diploma. Then in 1979 went to SSA, in New York City, for the three month program, earning a sommelier certificate. He is currently the Somm at The Winemakers Table in Delray Beach.
Jamie Knee
Jamie Knee has been involved in the hospitality industry as a Lifestyle Influencer at “What is Up Miami”, since 2012. She has recently relocated to the California Central Coast and launched a Lifestyle, Wine, Food, Arts & Travel~PR, Marketing and Social Media Company “Bonjour Central Coast.” @bonjourcentralcoast. She works as a Wine Lifestyle Influencer at “Petite Wine Traveler” @petitewinetraveler. Her certifications include WSET Advanced, Certified Specialist of Wine, Champagne Certified, Napa Rocks Certified, Spanish Wine Scholar, American Wine Expert, Rioja Wine Educator and she is currently studying for CMS. Jamie is a Wine Judge for The Original Rosé Competition, The American Fine Wine Competition, and the Wine and Spirits Makers Competition, and will be judging with other competitions this upcoming year. As a direct result of Covid she took her Wine Education on line, and has hosted over 100 Virtual Wine Tastings with Winemakers and Wineries around the world. As a Wine Consultant she hosts luncheons, tastings, education and works with wine regions as a Wine Ambassador at her brand “Petite Wine Traveler” @petitewinetraveler. Additionally, she’s paired with several Arts institutions to host Wine & Arts pairings. Her goal is to work traveling the world as a Wine Educator, bringing the world of wine to those unable to explore and experience the vineyards first hand.
Jeremy Gow
Jeremy Gow has a lifelong love of food and delicious wine. His passion for wine began after graduation from the University of Central Florida and jumping into the hospitality industry in Orlando. From there, he got the opportunity to oversee Food and Beverage at the Hilton Clearwater Beach which opened the door to working in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he built and sold a Wine Spectator “Best of” Award winning wine list comprised of over 600 labels. Jeremy became a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and has since traveled as much as possible to continue experiencing new regions and wines to share with his guests. Jeremy is also a part of the Hilton Hotel’s Beverage team who subjectively and blindly evaluates wines that will make it onto the wine lists of all full service Hilton Hotel Brands menus. Jeremy currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL, with his beautiful wife and two Shih-Tzus and is continuously focusing on improving his wine education wherever possible.
Michael Braun
With 20 years’ experience in fine dining in San Francisco, including two years at Masa’s as Captain and Sommelier, Michael Braun came to South Florida and received his Certification for Wine Professional at FIU. Since then he has spent 12 years in South Florida in wine retail management and educator for Wine, Spirits and More, Cellars Wines and Spirits, and is the current Manager and Lead Educator in South Florida for Total Wine and More. He holds the elite TWP designation, which signifies the highest possible degree of academic achievement at Total Wine.
Patrick Sullivan
Patrick Sullivan, a wine journalist, consultant, and educator, is the Wine & Spirits editor for DINE Magazine in Florida. He has been involved in many aspects of the wine business for over twenty years – writing and conducting seminars and classes, as well as working in the retail and wholesale segments of the industry.
Ray Sholes
Ray Sholes is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has a discerning palate and is a passionate wine lover. He is known not only for his incredible tasting abilities and vast knowledge, but also for his friendly, relaxed and professional approach to wine education. Growing up in Compton, California Ray admits, “I come from a world where an education in fine wines, sake, craft brews, and spirits did not exist.” His fascination for wine took off after graduation from Johnson & Wales University where he earned his Bachelors of Food Service Management. His thirst for wine has taken him across the globe to vineyards where he learned and improved his skills beyond textbooks. He has spent over 10 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry where he has wine list creation, dynamic staff training and restaurant management under his belt. When he isn’t hosting tasting events, he works as the Beverage Account Manager, in the wine division, of a Miami Distribution Company.
Sunny Fraser
Sunny’s true fervor for wine and food blossomed during her tenure as a nonprofit CEO for the largest public guardian program in the country and during a top executive position at a private bank. Wine and food entertainment became integral to growing her donor base and to successful relationship building through intimate wine pairing dinners at her home, with her partner, a classically trained, award-winning chef and wine expert. She took a risk for this passion and used her business acumen and marketing ability to leave corporate America and launch her own boutique, Florida-based, California winery, receiving awards and accolades from the media and the industry, as well as getting her limited production, fine wines on some of the most coveted wine lists in South Florida. On the other side of wine, not as the judge, but being judged, she accumulated a portfolio of award-winning wines from AFWC, L.A. International Wine Competition and more. She then saw an untapped market in wine and launched the first ever single-serve format for the delivery of fine wine. Through this format, she became an inventor and was awarded several wine format design patents to date. Her wine vessel was named Beverage Breakthrough of the Year by Food & Beverage Packaging Magazine, receiving its cover photo, and other titles and honors from television, online and print media, including New York Times, Shanken News Daily, Chilled Magazine, Time Magazine, Haute Living and CBS to name a few. Much of her tasting experiences have been through travels, invitations from wineries and guest participation at hundreds of wine tastings throughout her 15 years of industry experience. Most recently, as Sunny On The Scene, a contributing entertainment writer, with a focus on beverage and food, to several online publications.
François Bélisle has judged in wine competitions for more than twenty years, including Les Sélections, Mondiales des Vins, Catad’Or World Wine Awards, The Lone Star International Wine Competition, and, the U.S. Northeast Gold Wine Competition. Certified Wine Judge, WSET Level 3, French Wine Scholar, Spanish Wine Scholar, and Italian Wine Scholar, he was awarded the highest level of distinction in each of these professional designations. François holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Georgia and has traveled extensively in the world’s wine-producing regions to study the notion of terroir and how soil, climate, and topography interact to influence wine characteristics and quality. As a WSET- and Wine Scholar Guild-certified wine educator, François teaches at Vendange Institute. He also sources wines for Œnosphere Wine Company, most recently in France, Spain, and Chile.
Angelo Romano
Master Chef Angelo Romano, owner of Lake Worth, Floridaʼs Paradiso Risorante, honed his culinary skills at establishments located in a wide range of luxurious resort towns on the Italian Riviera and the Isle of Capri, as well as in Bermuda and Palm Beach. This international background serves Angelo well in his selection and evaluation of wines.
Briana Perez
Briana Perez’s love and enthusiasm for wine began in her early years as she gained immense knowledge from her wine connoisseur and dining expert father. For her 21st birthday, Briana traveled to Napa Valley, CA where she solidified her passion to pursue the fine arts of wine. In 2019, Briana received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Hospitality at Florida International University, Miami FL. Briana's wine career began as a student when she was nominated and selected for the Banfi Scholastic Tour where she traveled throughout Italy and furthered her knowledge of wine with her late Professor, mentor, and talented Sommelier, Chip Cassidy. Briana attributes much of her passion for wine to Chip Cassidy, as she frequently notes his passion helped her find hers. Throughout college, she gained Associate experience with Crown Wine & Spirits, and post-graduation was offered the position of Assistant Store Director for the French Wine Merchant on Palm Beach Island. In February 2020, Briana received her Certification as a Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and currently holds not only the position as Assistant Store Director but also Head Sommelier at The French Wine Merchant, being the youngest Sommelier on Palm Beach Island. When asked what Briana's favorite wine is, her response is always “Champagne of course! It’s bubbly, complex, and expensive! Just like me haha”.
Chris Sawyer
An internationally-renowned sommelier, wine journalist, wine judge, consultant, and public speaker, Christopher Sawyer travels the world following trends in wine and participating as a judge in international wine competitions, and has been featured in a wide array of national media, including USAToday, MSN, NBC, ABC, CNN, Redbook, Maxim, National Geographic Traveler, Esquire and The Hollywood Reporter. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, Sawyer was named the Best Sommelier of Sonoma County by Bohemian Magazine, and is the recipient of many more prestigious awards and industry honors.
Dennis Doorakkers
Dennis Doorakkers imports wines into the Netherlands from a large number of countries including France, Italy and Germany and is a judge at several international wine competitions. He also provides classes in wine and wine tastings with his own wine education company, Vino Vita where his main focus is on education and master classes. He writes about wine for several websites and has his own vlog channel on Youtube. He has several wine diplomas including WSET level 3 award With Merit.
Ervin Machado
Ervin Machado serves as Beverage Director for the Big Time Restaurant Group. He is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of the Masters and holds the Certified Certification from WSET plus a Certified advanced Portuguese specialist, holds a Banfi University Certification, and holds the rank of Cavaliere with the Bertani wine academy. Machado speaks Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English and is passionate about educating others about wine. Machado launched his career in South Florida, spending four years with Morton’s Steakhouse as wine and beverage educator for new restaurants in Mexico, West Palm Beach, Florida and Washington, D.C. Prior to Morton’s, Machado served as the beverage consultant at “Zielo” a small restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida. Machado studied under the direction of Andrea (head wine maker for Bertani winery), with a focus on Phenolic ripeness. He also learned under some of Argentina's and Chile's best winemakers at Casillero del Diablo, Don Melchor and Trivento to name a few. In 2017, he participated in the 2017 Pinot Noir forum and the Crush Camp where he was chosen by his peers as "the Braniac" for his knowledge and passion. He judged at “Veritage” Miami and at the American Fine Wine Competition, and has hosted wine symposiums and appeared on weekly on a radio show. Machado travels Europe with the owners of Big Time Restaurant Group in preparation for becoming a Master Sommelier.
George Ryan
George Ryan was the Wine Director for Capital Grille in Ft. Lauderdale until Covid shook up his life. These days Mr. Ryan spends his time in a completely different industry, clinical research. While the job is remote and he is in his pajamas all day, he has the most interesting medical conversations…..Don’t ask! George is a Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits and his passion for wine is paramount because let’s face it, at the end of a shift, he needs a drink!
Erin DeMara
Erin DeMara is a twenty-nine-year professional of the wine and restaurant industries. Currently in his seventh year with 1821 Fine Wine and Spirits, an Italian-focused importer, he manages the portfolio of 100+ wines and spirits within Florida, USA. Erin is a Certified Wine Educator by the Society of Wine Educators and an Italian Wine Ambassador and Educator by VinItaly International Academy – the only wine professional in America to hold both titles. He is also a Certified Spirits Specialist, a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, and an awarded member of the Guild of Sommeliers.
Jacqueline Coleman
Jacqueline Coleman is a published wine + travel writer, wine judge, & consultant. She is the monthly "Vino" columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, and a regular contributor to Winetraveler.com. Since 2019, she has been a weekly guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s radio show, “Food, News, and Views” on 88.9FM in Miami covering the wine & drinks segment by interviewing industry professionals. Her new podcast, “Wine Uncorked,” is out on all major podcast sites and the Podmany app. Jacqueline has earned wine certifications through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)- Level 3 Award in Wines, International Sommelier Guild (ISG), U.S. Sommelier Association, and FIU Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Wine Program.
Juan Horta
Juan Horta serves as Sommelier and also manages Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood. He maintains the restaurant’s wine inventory featuring nearly 400 selections from more than a dozen countries. Juan holds an associate’s degree in business administration and management from Keiser University and earned both the Intermediate Sommelier in 2012 and Advanced Sommelier in 2013 from the USSA, where he completed coursework in restaurant and hospitality operations. He holds a Champagne Certification from Reims, France, in 2015.
Krystal Kinney
As a young girl growing up in West Virginia, Krystal Kinney learned southern hospitality and an appreciation of spirits from a wine-loving Aunt. As a young, vivacious woman she managed entertainment venues including Club Cinema in Pompano Beach. It was at Club Cinema that she discovered her passion for wine. Krystal did a blind tasting and discovered she had a refined palette; Even without training, she could pick up on the subtleties of the wines, their earthiness, and Old World flavors. She decided to go back to school at Le Cordon Bleu, USSA. From there, she set out to further her palate, traveling through France, Napa Valley, Greece and other famous wine regions. Upon returning to the states, Krystal is a level three sommelier.
Marcella Carneiro
Marcella Carneiro is a wine educator in Miami and a wine columnist for the Islander News, Key Biscayne’s local newspaper. She also works as a wine consultant for retail stores and restaurants. Among other internationally recognized credentials in the wine business, she holds a WSET L3 degree “with Distinction and Merit”, and has earned the French Wine Scholar certification issued by the Wine Scholar Guild. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine, and has passed the introductory level of the Court of Master Sommeliers program. Marcella is a former lawyer and holds a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) from the University of Georgia. She is a native Portuguese speaker, is fluent in both English and German, and has elementary proficiency in Spanish.
Michael Goldberg
Michael Goldberg runs RedHead Wines, a wine consulting firm he founded after a career on Wall Street and the executive search business. His epiphany struck 25 years ago over a glass of Meursault at Chef Charlie Palmer's restaurant Aureole in NYC. He followed his passion into the wine world, immersing himself in NYC wine education classes, in-store tastings, visits to wineries and extensive reading. While growing his firm, Michael joined Total Wine & More where he holds the record for passing their 8 part TWP certification in the shortest time. Michael continues spearheading two prestigious elite wine groups, Wine Wizards & Palm Beach Wine Group. He blind tastes hundreds of wines monthly, providing clients with advanced cellar management, wine education & training, food/wine event planning, wine travel experiences, acquisitions, sales and liquidations.
Paula Sinclair
Paula Sinclair is a wine consultant in Miami. Has held classes of sensorial analysis at FWA Florida Wine Academy, participated as volunteer at the VinoSummit and at the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux tasting at Biltmore Miami. She holds a WSET L3 awards in wine, WSET L1 awards in spirits, earned UC Davis Sensory Techniques of wine analysis , and has completed Level 1 at United States Sommelier Association. She is a Portuguese speaker and is fluent in English, and has a primary proficiency in Spanish and French.
Roberto Colombi
Roberto grew up in northern Italy, where he studied Hotellerie School and started his career in the Wine & Restaurants industry. In 2002, he joined the staff at the 2 Michelin Star Ristorante Gualtiero Marchesi. Roberto moved to England in late 2003 to work for Gordon Ramsay at the Connaught Hotel in London. He completed the WSET Level 2 and started the Court of Master Sommelier in 2006. In 2007, Roberto moved to Florida as part of the opening team of Gordon Ramsay’s new venture, Cielo at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. In 2008, Roberto was awarded Rising Star Sommelier of South Florida by Starchefs.com. In 2010 he joined Michela Larson and from 2014 to 2020 Roberto had the role of General Manager of The Blue Restaurant. While under Michela Larson he completed the Certificate level of the Court of Master Sommelier, the WSET Level 3, the French Wine Scholar and the Spanish Wine Scholar with the Wine Scholar Guild. Today Roberto is working with his wife and Chef, Christie Tenaud on the opening of their first Restaurant “Union Kitchen & Bar”.
Dr. Terry Lease
Dr. Terry Lease joined Florida International University as Associate Dean of Academics for the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. He came to FIU from Sonoma State University, where he was department chair for the Department of Business Administration for seven years and was actively involved with its Wine Business Institute. Dr. Lease holds the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma certificate and is currently an MW student back in Sonoma.
Veronica Litton
Veronica Litton has worked in the wine business in South Florida for over 20 years. In 1996 she founded The South Florida Womenʼs Wine Association. Veronica acquired her CSW from the Society of Wine Educators in 2005. In her current capacity as the Wine Buyer for Crown Wine and Spirits, her responsibilities include managing a multimillion dollar inventory year round with over 1400 selections from around the world.
In Memoriam
Chip Cassidy
Chip Cassidy began judging with AFWC the very first year in 2007. We lost Chip to cancer in 2019. We miss him terribly.
Chip was South Florida’s foremost wine expert and scholar who started the wine education program at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality. He remembered the first great wine he’d ever tasted was as a teen. While visiting the home of a wealthy high school friend, he talked the father into uncorking a 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. “I’ve been drinking like a king ever since,” he told the Miami Herald in an interview in 1992. Wine became his passion. He started teaching at FIU and a year later became the chief wine buyer at Crown Wine & Spirits. With Crown’s support, he traveled all over the world to get to know different wine growing regions and bringing those wines to South Florida. He shared that passion with South Florida, hosting wine tastings behind the store and monthly at his home, which he called The Clubhouse, for close friends, some of South Florida’s biggest wine connoisseurs. He knew wine had to be an important part of FIU’s hospitality curriculum and recruited Southern Wine & Spirits to sponsor FIU’s million-dollar Beverage Management Center at the North Campus. This is where we host AFWC’s The Invitational and All Americas.
Thank you, Chip Cassidy. You are very much missed.