Emerging Winemakers Competition and Symposium
The Judges
Since 2018, we’ve hosted some amazing nationally recognized judges. A few of these incredible judges have traveled across this great country and have given educational presentations in grape growing and winemaking practices, winemaking styles and marketing of wine in our seminar series.
Meet the Judges
During the Competition all wines are judged in blind tasting by the judges led by our very own Head Master Judge, Paula Woolsey, CSW, who has more than 20 years in the Arizona wine industry. Competitors each receive confidential feedback on their wine(s). To learn more about the blind wine judging process please visit our website page at https://emergingwinemakers.com/blind-wine-tasting-and-judging/ to learn more.
2023 Wine Competition Judges
Paula Woolsey
EWC&S: Head Master Judge
Paula Woolsey, CSW – (Cellar Door Unhinged), a member of the Society of Wine Educators since 1998, she became a Certified Specialist of Wine in 2000, Italian Wine Specialist certified in 2004 and Gallo Wine Academy certified in 2007. She has also been Cellar Master Certified by the Master Court of Sommeliers since 2001. Paula has sat on the Board of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium since its inception in 2008 and for the past 11 years she has been an instructor at Yavapai College in the Viticulture program.
Susie Selby
Winemaker/Proprietor at Selby Winery
Selby Winery, located in Healdsburg, California, produces world-class wines which are hand-crafted by owner and winemaker, Susie Selby. The winery was founded in 1993 by Susie and her late father, Dr. David Selby. Selby Winery focuses on the “best of Sonoma County” using premier varietals from Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. Selby Winery produces an eclectic array of award winning wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Malbec, Cabernet, Rose and Port.
Sheral Schowe, M.Ed., FWS
Wasatch Academy of Wine
Sheral Schowe is the founder and owner of Wasatch Academy of Wine, Utah’s first and largest wine school, established in 1991. She is the affiliate provider of post-nominal certification courses on the wines of France, Italy, and Spain for the Wine Scholar Guild and Adjunct Professor of Wine Studies for the Culinary Institute of Salt Lake Community College and University of Utah Lifelong Learning. Sheral has been a wine judge for the annual Utah Winemaker’s Competition. She is a certified French and Spanish Wine Scholar with Master’s level certification.
Danusia Szumowski
Winemaker
Julia Dixon
Head Winemaker for 1764 Vineyards & Four Tails Vineyard
Gary Spadafore
Spada4Solutions
Gary Spadafore – For his entire career, Gary Spadafore has been active in the adult beverage trade, both on a business and personal level. He has traveled extensively through the wine and spirit regions of Europe, New Zealand, South America and North America to enhance his knowledge. He has spent over 35 years in the adult beverage trade. After retiring as Director of Education for a major wine and spirits wholesaler in Phoenix, AZ, he founded Spada4Solutions LLC. He completely understands that for education to be effective, it must also be entertaining.
Ron Brumley
Winemaker / Vineyard Manager for Alcantara Vineyard and Winery
Arizona Native. Retired from Technology/Internet. Started in the Arizona wine industry in 2012. Currently Winemaker/ Vineyard Manager for Alcantara Vineyard and Winery in Camp Verde. I have lived in the Verde Valley for 11 years. Hobbies include fishing, SUP, NASCAR, baseball and restoring old Chevy trucks. I worked with the Sedona & Telluride Wine Festivals and served on several committees within the Arizona wine community.
2022 Wine Competition Judges
Paula Woolsey
EWC&S: Head Master Judge
James Callahan
Rune Wines
Sheral Schowe, M.Ed., FWS
Wasatch Academy of Wine
Danusia Szumowski
Winemaker
Julia Dixon
Head Winemaker for Four Tails Vineyard
Gary Spadafore
Spada4Solutions
Ron Brumley
Winemaker/ Vineyard Manager for Alcantara Vineyard and Winery
2021 Competition Judges
Paula Woolsey
EWC&S: Head Master Judge
Dale Sparks
Advanced Sommelier
T. Scott Stephens
Annual Judge AWGA
Wes Schemmer
Vino di Sedona
Julia Dixon
Head Winemaker for Four Tails Vineyard
Gary Spadafore
Spada4Solutions
Ron Brumley
Winemaker/ Vineyard Manager for Alcantara Vineyard and Winery
2020 Competition Judges
Paula Woolsey
EWC&S: Head Master Judge
Eric Glomski
Page Springs Cellars
Jennifer Montgomery
Executive Director of AWGA
Sam Pillsbury
Pillsbury Wine Company
Aaron Weiss
Oddity Wine Collective
Gary Spadafore
Spada4Solutions
Wes Schemmer
Vino di Sedona
Assisting this year’s judges are Dean Pefanis and Andrew Stover
2019 Competition Judges
Paula Woolsey
EWC&S: Head Master Judge
T. Scott Stephens
Annual Judge AWGA
Eric Glomski
Page Springs Cellars
Andrew Stover
Vino50
Jennifer Montgomery
Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners
Matt Raica
Arizona Stronghold
Sam Pillsbury
Pillsbury Wine Company
2018 Competition Judges
Paula Woolsey
Head Judge
Susie Selby
Selby Winery
Dale Sparks
Advanced Sommelier
Matt Raica
Arizona Stronghold
Kevin Maguier
Chaine des Rotisseurs, Sedona Bailliage
Jim O'Meally
Sommelier, Up the Creek Bistro
Have a Question,
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or get involved?
If you have any questions about the Symposium, sponsorship or volunteering, please contact us.
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