Meet The Judges The OC Fair Commercial Competition is judged annually by 90-plus experienced judges who are qualified winemakers or winery principals. The roster of judges is a combination of elite seasoned professionals representing almost every AVA in California and are the most qualified to fairly evaluate wines of diverse characteristics. The competition has boasted an impressive roster of judges over the years including, currently, such notable names as Joseph S. Franzia (30 years), Fred Brander (28 years), Carol Shelton (18 years), Steve Lohr (16 years), Joel Peterson (14 years), and Shauna Rosenblum (10 years).
2024 Wine Competition Judges Ahvenainen, Paul Korbel Champagne Cellars 21 Allbaugh, John Hacienda Wine Cellars 13 Amaroli, Lisa Benziger Family Winery 3 Amos, Brent Las Positas Vineyards 11 Baily, Phil Baily Vineyard & Winery 1 Baldwin, Dan Rios-Lovell Winery 9 Berntsen, Mike Wildeye Winery 2 Brady, Don Robert Hall Winery 13 Brander, Fred The Brander Vineyard 28 Brughelli, Michael Brughelli Wines 12 Bushong, Jason Bushong Vintage Co. 9 Carlson, Chuck C.E. Carlson Wines 18 Chattan, Ondine Cannonball Wines 18 Cole, Jac Consultant 9 Cordesse, Francois Francis Ford Coppola Winery Too! 6 Dale, Natalie Bonterra Wine 3 Daume, John Camarillo Custom Crush Winery 35 DeHart, Nick Karine Wines 9 Deis, Ken Consultant 4 Dwelley, Jackson Dwelley Family Wines 1 Eberle, Chris Eberle Winery 5 Ehrenberg, Chris Ehrenberg Cellars 6 Ehrenberg, Zachary Ehrenberg Cellars 3 Embly, Mike Hungry Hawk Vineyards 5 Eppler, John Forgotten Barrel Winery 20 Ernsberger, Karen Consultant 20 Escobar, Steve Le Pêcheur Wines 1 Franzia, Joseph J.D. "Joey" Bronco Wine Company 4 Freeman, Greg Chalone Vineyard 10 Frohn, Ryan Camarillo Custom Crush 3 Frohn, Shaun Camarillo Custom Crush Winery 12 Galleano, Domenic Galleano Winery 2 Gessner, Greg Consultant 28 Giang, Les Korbel Champagne Winery 1 Gobright, Jillian Joel Gott Wines 2 Hart, Ryan Volcan Mountain Winery 1 Hawley, Austin Hawley Winery 1 Haycock, Mollie Scott Harvey Winery 4 Henderson, Barry Riboli Family Estates 1 Ibarra, Andres tierra y vino 1 Johnson, Randle Calafia Wines 27 Klein, Jim Navarro Vineyards 21 Klein, Roe Tastry 1 Kragten, Sterling Cass Vineyard & Winery 6 Krumwiede, Richard Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery 2 Lawrence, Barry C. Consultant - Fogline Winery 33 Lohr, Steve J. Lohr Winery 16 Lordan, Tiaan Hartford Court 1 Marcotte, Michael Brecon Estate Winery 2 Marquez, Brian Wiens Cellars 1 Martin, Emily Bronco Wine Company 1 McWilliams, Linda San Pasqual Winery 5 Meier, Fritz Kendall Jackson 10 Morales, Adrian Hungry Hawk Vineyards 1 Nenow, Heather LangeTwins Family Winery & Vyd 13 O'Halloran, Tim Kendall Jackson 5 Owen, Mike Crystal Basin Cellars 5 Pargellis, Amelia Winemaking Consultant 2 Parker, Bryan Langtry Farms Vineyard and Winery 20 Parker, Euan Fallbrook Winery 5 Peterson, Darin Quady Winery 1 Prager, John Prager Winery & Port Works 13 Ramos, Oscar Ramos Torres Winery 12 Rees, Tom Jackson Family Wines 1 Reyes, Cesar Prohibido Wines 1 Rideau, Caren tierra y vino 1 Rocha, Larry Consulting Winemaker 18 Rogers, Matthew The Wine Group 1 Schaffer, Larry Tercero Wines 1 Scheid, Johannes Schug Wines 1 Schiff, Evan Francis Ford Coppola 2 Schofield, Megan Joel Gott Wines 1 Shelton, Carol Carol Shelton Wines 19 Smith, Matt Blacksmith Cellars 11 Soni, Jennifer Lions Peak 2 Spate, H. Marty Riboli Family Estates 18 Starr, Deanna Milano Family Winery 17 Steinwachs, Karen Seagrape Wine Company 4 Stockton, Joey Kendall Jackson 7 Stupich, Mark Consultant 11 Townsend, Scott Russian Ridge Winery 5 Trotta, Linda WX Brands 26 Van Haun, Jim Tablas Creek Vineyard 1 Villard, Matt MCV Wines 1 Wells, Dawn Treasury Wine Estates 8 Widstrand, Bryan Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery 2 Wiens, Joseph Wiens Family Cellars 3 Wolgamott, Marin Pacific Wine Services/Marin's Vyd 1 Yost, Norman Flying Goat Cellars 17
