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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Fraser is the dynamic and enthusiastic founder behind the digital brand @sunnyonscene. Sunny has been involved in the wine community for over 15 years and most recently named a Winery International Association Expert Judge, allowing her to nominate up to 10 wineries or vineyards annually as the best wineries or vineyards in the world to visit. She is also a contributing cohost for the beverage segment on the Food News & Views podcast, where she interviews renowned winemakers, national brand ambassadors, spirits CEOs, founders and more. Her winery specialized in crafting limited production, fine wines that soon captured the attention of the wine community and media, earning spots on exclusive wine lists across South Florida and Las Vegas. She received numerous accolades and introduced innovative wine products that have made significant impacts in the industry. Sunny conceptualized and launched the first-ever single-serve format for the delivery of fine wine in America, a pioneering idea which led to her receiving a U.S. design patent and global recognition. This invention transformed how fine wine was to be enjoyed, earning her widespread acknowledgment and a magazine cover feature for Beverage Breakthrough of the Year.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Monty L. Preiser & Sara T. Preiser

Monty L. Preiser & Sara T. Preiser, husband, and wife, are food, wine, and travel journalists, co-owners of Shadowbox Cellars, wine educators, publishers, and wine judges. Attorney Monty Preiser and Sara reside full-time in Palm Beach County, Florida, yet divide their time between Florida and Napa, where they have a second home and spend their time visiting wineries, and studying wines. Writing about wines for about 30 years, the Preiser's publish the world’s most comprehensive guide to Napa Valley wineries and restaurants titled, The Preiser Key in which they pen informational and educational articles. 

Monty and Sara write an international wine column that is appreciated by more than 12,000 people on the Web and reprinted by many blogs. They own Creative Professional Programs, a company devoted to continuing education for professionals in conjunction with fine wine & food instruction.  They have presented shipboard lectures about California wines on multiple cruise ships, as well as taught at various Fortune 500 events. Between the two, Monty and Sara have served as judges for multiple competitions around the country including the American Fine Wine Competition where Monty served as Chief Judge (and co-founder) for the first 10 years of the Competition.

François Bélisle

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.