Wine Competition Judges

Meet the 2024 Judges!

Bob Madill, Geneva, NY - Head Judge

Bob provides educational and consulting services to the wine industry. He co-founded Sheldrake Point Winery, Finger Lakes, NY in 1997 and was Winegrower & GM, for 12+ years for the 44 acre (18 ha) vineyard & winery. Bob is a Board Member of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and Chair, Promotions Committee. He represents Tonnellerie Bossuet in the Finger Lakes, NY, and Niagara, ON. Bob is the Head Judge for the Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition. He is WSET 3 certified, a Certified Sommelier CMS, and is a Certified AWS Wine Judge Instructor. Bob & his colleague Prof Pascal Durand conduct personalized Educational Wine Tours to Europe.

Dave Barber, Annandale, VA

Dave Barber is a wine educator. He is a long-time member of the American Wine Society where he was recognized as Outstanding Member in 2011.He is a Certified Wine Judge through the American Wine Society, where he now instructs in the Wine Judge Training Program and administers the final Certification examination for the program. He has presented innumerable wine tasting seminars throughout the years on many various wine topics. As a member of the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, Dave has co-chaired or chaired over eighteen wine competitions sponsored by that organization with over 500 wines entering most of the competitions. He has also been active in the other major activities of the ASWA, as well as serving as Secretary for the past few years. He has also judged in many other competitions throughout the years. Dave is a Master Knight in the Order of the Knights of the Vine where he is a member of the Nation’s Capital Chapter and also serves as Provost General for the Northeast U.S. Dave has traveled on three continents exploring various wine producing areas as well as being inducted into numerous wine organizations throughout the world. Dave has also worked in various winery tasting rooms throughout Virginia.

Nick Boulas, Schenectady, NY CHA/CFBE

Nick Boulas has been making wine for the past 22 years and has several medals from the American Wine Society Amateur Wine Competition, the Amenti del Vino Amateur Wine Competition in Connecticut and most recently a Gold Medal in the Musto Amateur Wine Competition for his 2015 Apple Cyzer. Nick is a 1984 graduate of Niagara University’s prestigious Travel, Tourism and Transportation Program with a BS in Hotel/Restaurant management. He attended wine judging classes through the New York State Wine and Culinary Center and was a judge at the Golden Nose Wine Competition in 2011 and 2012. In 2012 Nick judged on a panel at the Golden Nose, for the number one Riesling in New York State along with Peter Bell from Fox Run Winery. For the last 5 years Nick has been a judge at the Winemaker Magazine Amateur Wine Competition in Burlington, Vermont. This will be his 3 year judging at the Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition. He grows his own grapes in upstate New York and has assisted Altamont Winery and Vineyards with harvest and tasting events. Nick has spent most of his professional career as a Food and Beverage Director in the hospitality industry and holds the designation of Certified Food and Beverage Executive, Certified Hotel Administrator and most recently Certified Hospitality Trainer through the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Nick is currently employed by BBL Hospitality where, for the last 10 years, he has been the General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center, as well as lead trainer for the “At Your Service” guest service training program, encompassing 12 hotels and 14 restaurants.

Joann V DeGaglia, Hudson Valley, New York CSW CS CWJM IWJ

WJCP Coordinator / Education Comm / Year 2 Instructor (Temp)

JoAnn is a Certified Specialist of Wine as well as a Certified Advanced Sommelier. She has earned both an American and Italian Wine Specialist Degree from the North American Sommelier Association with honors. JoAnn was an Associate Instructor at the Westchester Wine School in New York and the North American Sommelier Association in Los Angeles. A Certified Wine Judge with Merit, she has judged at numerous competitions around the US. As an International Wine Judge, she has been a Juror for the Frankfurt, Berlin International and Concours International de Lyon. JoAnn is a retired Special Ed Program Director who works part time at two of the Hudson Valley's great wine destinations, Brotherhood-America's Oldest Winery and Wine Spectator's award-winning Glenmere Mansion.

Carole Hackett, Frankfort, KY

With a background in healthcare, Carole’s undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry has been valuable in her wine studies. Her interest in wine has led her to seek further education. She actively working with students from the Wine Judge Certification Program of the American Wine Society. Carole is a Certified Wine Judge with merit. Carole remains active in teaching and learning. She has completed continuing education at Penn State, UC Davis, Society of Wine Educators and the American Wine Society conference annually.Carole has presented sessions at the American Wine Society annual conferences in wine continuing education for judges.She has taught beginning classes at the local wine shop. Carole has completed Level 2 of WSET program with Merit.She has recently passed her Sommelier certification from the National Wine School.Carole serves as the Regional Vice President for Eastern Kentucky for the American Wine Society as well as education liaison of the local chapter in Frankfort KY.

Carole enjoys judging amateur and commercial competitions. Her nine years of judging experience have taken her through much of the USA. Competitions judged include:

Indy International , Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Tennessee Valley Oenological Society, Kentucky State Fair, Franklin County Fair, Hamilton County 4H amateur event, Denver International Wine Competition, The Houston Rodeo Uncorked, Georgia Trustees Wine Challenge, The Alabama Amateurs event, Michigan Mead Cup, The Big E, Minnesota State Fair, The Mid-Atlantic Southeastern/Carolina Classic Wine competition, The Wines of the South, Illinois Amateur, The Cincinnati Vintners Association and the Kentucky Commissioners Cup.

Carole resides in Frankfort, KY. Her favorite wine is that which is enjoyed with friends!

Sharyn Kervyn (de Volkaersbeke), Marlton, NJ

Sharyn Kervyn de Volkaersbeke’ s professional career has been devoted to the wine industry, learning and sharing her knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.She is a diploma WSET graduate with honors, a Certified Specialist of wine, Tastevin level member with the Dionysian Wine Society and Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.She is also an International and AWS Certified Wine Judge (with Merit), and judges annually for competitions in America and Europe.

She opened the Getty Center Museum in Los Angeles as their catering director and has held wine director and general manager posts in California and New Jersey, where she founded KdV Wine Services and teaches wine education courses she has written at area colleges, including Rutger’s University and Camden County College.Her wine courses have earned her membership into the prestigious Association of Wine Educators out of London, and her wine lists have consistently won ‘Best of’ Wine Spectator Awards as the Wine Director for The Capital Grille restaurants where she worked for 15 years.Sharyn currently Chairs a chapter she founded and serves on the Wine Education Committee for AWS, where she serves as coordinator for the WineSmarts courses, and wrote and teaches WineSmarts II.

https://kdvwineservices.com (856)745-3104

Ronald Natalie, Catawba, NC

Ronald Natalie is the Secretary of the American Wine Society. He is a graduate of their Wine Judge Certification Program and has judged at various competitions including the American Wine Society. Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, Finger Lakes international, WineMaker Magazine, and Big E competitions. He has passed the WSET level 3 with distinction and has been rated an Aficionado and Connoisseur of wine by the Robert Parker/Kevin Zraly Wine School. He also has written the registration and judging software for the AWS Competitions.

Walter Rachele, Lovettsville, VA

Walter Rachele had an early love of wine and is actively engaged with wine in several capacities. He is a founding member (1988) of the Nation’s Capital Chapter of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, an international wine organization with chapters in the United States. A long-standing member of the American Wine Society (AWS), he graduated from the AWS Wine Judge Certification Program (1994) and was active as an instructor for 27 years. Walt served on the AWS Board of Directors as Treasurer.Currently, a board member of the AWS Educational Foundation as treasurer his wine knowledge grows from communication with the graduate students being awarded scholarships.

Elected to the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, Board of Directors, Walt now heads the Virginia Wine Festival committee.He has participated as a judge in many competitions such as MD, NJ and PA Governor’s Cup, Winemaker Amateur Competition, AWS Amateur and Commercial Competitions, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Wines of the South, and several local county festivals. He has traveled extensively to increase his wine knowledge visiting Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland, France, England, Hungary, South Africa and Serbia. He currently resides in Northern Virginia.

Jennifer D. Pereira, Somerset, MA

A native of Berkshire County, Pereira first fell in love with wine during studies at New England Culinary in VT. She landed a winery internship in SE Mass and began absorbing knowledge about all facets of wine production and sales.

After achieving her WSET Diploma and teaching private wine classes, Pereira began teaching continuing ed WSET classes at JWU’s Providence, RI campus to faculty and other industry professionals. Now 20 years later, she is an Associate Professor and Certified Wine Educator, BJCP National Beer Judge, Certified Cicerone, and Certified Cider Guide. She continues to teach students of all ages how to design, craft, evaluate and appreciate wines, ciders, meads, beers, and spirits. Wine and spirit travels include Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, the UK, Napa and Sonoma, Washington, Long Island and the Finger Lakes.

You can often find her alongside students and alumni pouring fermentation projects of all types at festivals and fundraisers or judging at various competitions around the northeast. She is the founder of the Ocean State Homebrew Competition for beer, mead, and cider, and the Rhode Worthy Cup, a commercial competition only for Rhode Island Producers. These raise funds for the RIDEA Beverage Scholarship which aims to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion across the beverage industry.

Harvey Reissig, Geneva, NY

Professor Emeritus of Entomology, Cornell University

Wine Judging Experience-

Long Time Judge (more than 20 years) at the NY State Fair Commercial Wine Competition; NY State Fair Home Wine Makers Competition.

Judge for the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, 7 years.

Judge for the Eastern International Wine Competition, 4 years.

Judge for the Virginia State Fair Wine Competition, 6 years

Judge for the Eastern States Exposition Big E Wine Competition 4 years

Judge for American Wine Society Commercial and Home Winemakers competition (2 years)

Judge for the International Cool Climate Wine Competition 3 years

Judge for the Indy International Wine Competition 2 years

Judge for Hudson Valley Wine Competition

Professional Activities

Member of taste panels at Cornell University to evaluate wines from new grape cultivars and research trials

Annual attendance at Cornell Wine Workshops for wine industry

Past Chairman of New York State Fair Commercial Wine Competition

Past co-Coordinator of the American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition

Wine Competition Organization-

Coordinator of the New York State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, 2011

Co-Coordinator of the American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition, 2011-12

Rick Schofield, Glenmont NY CWE

Wine Buyer, Wine Consultant, Wine Educator

Experience: Wine buyer, on and off-premise, for 19 years; Head Sommelier: Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing, New York; Beverage Director: Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY; Fine Wine Manager: Viscount Wine and Liquor, Wappingers Falls, NY; Sommelier: Mission Hill Estate Winery in British Columbia; Owner: Schofield Wine School at The Rhinecliff Hotel; Speaker: National Conferences of the American Wine Society and the Society of Wine Educators

Accreditation: Advanced Sommelier: Court of Master Sommeliers; Certified Wine Educator: Society of Wine Educators; Accredited Bourgogne Educator via BIVB in Bourgogne; International Bordeaux Educator via CIVB in Bordeaux; Advanced Certificate (Distinction): Wine & Spirits Education Trust; Certified Wine Judge: American Wine Society

Judging assignments: Les Grands Concours du Monde (Strasbourg); International Wine & Spirits Competition (London); International Eastern Wine Competition; Finger Lakes International; Hudson Valley Wine Competition; Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition; International Pinot Challenge; American Wine Society; Wine Judges of Canada Amateur Wine Competition; WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition

Barry J. St. Pierre, Burlington, CT

Barry St. Pierre has been growing grapes and making wine for several years at his home in Burlington, CT. His vineyard includes a variety of vinifera and hybrid grapes. His award-winning wines are made from his own grapes as well as carefully selected grapes from California and Chile, and he is considered among the top amateur winemakers by the American Wine Society.

As a certified wine judge he participates at many state, regional, and national commercial and amateur competitions. He has been an instructor for the American Wine Society Wine Judge Certification Program for several years and served as a Regional Vice President of the American Wine Society. He has also passed both WSET 2 and WSET 3.

William (Bill) Stefan, Farifax, VA

Bill loves wine drinking, speaking, writing, judging, and learning about wine.

Bill is an AWS Certified Wine Judge with Merit, President of the American Wine Society, Order of the Knights of the Vine, Author of “Presidential State Dinners”, Wine Speaker, and Amateur Wine Maker with 3 Best of Shows.

Bill is also a Certified Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3, Certified Wine Specialist with the Society of Wine Educators, Certified Level 3 Sommelier with the National Wine School, Certified Sherry Wine Specialist by the Regulatory Council of Jerez-Xeres-Sherry Denomination of Origin, and Certified Provence Wines Master Level with the Wine Scholar Guild. Cheers!

Sarah Trubnick, Keene, NH

Sarah Trubnick, CSW, CSWS, DipWSET, Co-founder and Wine Director of SF Institution The Barrel Room, a wine-education focused restaurant; owner and operator of Northeast Wine Company (NH) and Vitis Distribution (VT).

Sarah holds a Master of Science in Applied Physics from UCLA, the WSET Diploma, and is a Certified Specialist of Wine and a Certified Wine Judge through the American Wine Society. Sarah also teaches for multiple wine schools, including Commonwealth Wine School and Fine Vintage, Ltd. Sarah is renowned for her award-winning wine lists recognized by World of Fine Wine, Sommeliers Choice Awards, and Wine Spectator. Sarah is deeply passionate about emerging and lesser-known wine regions of the United States, and the world of alternative packaging.

Previous judging experience by Sarah includes: SFIWC, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, the Colorado Governor's Cup, the USA Wine Ratings (Beverage Trade Network), and the Sommeliers Choice Awards (also BTN).

Michael Wilson, Harahan, LA

Michael has significant experience in judging a various assortment of wines: Traditional grape wines, native and hybrid wines, fruit wines, and those made from honey (mead). He has had experiences judging both in the US and in Europe.

He is a certified wine judge-with merit, a certified mead judge, and the WSET-3 with merit. In addition, he is now working on the WSET-diploma.

Vincent D. Williams, Belleville, IL CSW, CSWS, CWJM

Vincent Williams is an American Wine Society Certified Wine Judge with Merit. By day he’s a mild manner cybersecurity specialist for the Department of the Air Force. By night a wine educator. As a wine educator, Mr. Williams enjoys sharing wine knowledge with retail customers and students. He holds certifications from the Society of Wine Educators, the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust, and the Wine Scholars Guild. Additionally, he has completed the certificate program in Winemaking from the University of California-Davis, to improve his suggestions to winemakers. He enjoys learning more and more about wine.

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Wine Competition Judges

Meet the 2024 Judges!

A national treasure trove of fun