The Sommeliers Choice Awards have announced the first group of judges for its 2027 competition, which will take place in Chicago on May 24, 2027.

Now entering its ninth edition, the competition brings together working sommeliers, wine directors, beverage directors and hospitality buyers who understand the practical and commercial considerations behind building a successful wine program.

Meet the First-Round Judges

The confirmed 2027 judges include:

Jennifer Huether MS — Master Sommelier, DipWSET and Director of Education at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Nevada

Jesse Becker MS — Master Sommelier and Illinois Portfolio Director for The German Wine Collection

Mark Guillaudeu MS — Master Sommelier

Tyler Alden MS — Director of Food and Beverage at Willows Lodge

Michelle Federschmidt — Executive Beverage Director at Hogsalt

Jesse Hiney — Regional Director of Operations for Roka Akor Chicagoland

Ryan Hoffman — Wine and Spirits Director

Rachael Lowe — Portfolio Development Manager at AMI Group

Michael Marsico — Senior Area Director at Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk

Sutton McElroy — Wine Director at The Oakville Grill & Cellar

Steven Minor — Corporate Beverage Director at Starwood Hotels

Shaina Nestor — Senior Restaurant Operations Leader at Gibsons Restaurant Group

Torrence O’Haire — Corporate Beverage Director at Gage Hospitality Group

Jelena Prodan — Partner and Beverage Director at SMG Restaurants

Paul Solomon — Director of Operations at Virant Restaurants, overseeing Vistro Prime and Petite Vie

Jared Sowinski — Director of Beverage at Upward Projects Restaurant Group

Jeff Van Ham — Sommelier and Server/Store Trainer at Steak 48

Marsha Wright — Corporate Wine Director at DineAmic Hospitality

Additional judges will be announced as the 2027 panel continues to grow.

A Panel Built Around Real Buying Experience

The judging panel reflects the different professionals involved in creating and operating modern wine programs.

Its members bring experience across wine education, fine dining, multi-unit restaurant groups, luxury hotels, travel hospitality and national beverage operations. Their responsibilities include selecting wines, setting prices, managing margins, developing beverage lists, training teams and improving the guest experience.

This commercial experience is central to the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Judges consider not only whether a wine is technically well made, but whether it has a genuine place in the on-premise market.

Evaluating Wines for the Restaurant Market

Every wine will be evaluated for quality, value, packaging, food pairability, and typicity.

The judges will consider questions familiar to every working sommelier and wine buyer:

- Would the wine work with food?
- Does it represent its grape variety, region, and intended style?
- Does it offer the right value at its price?
- Is its packaging appropriate for the target market?
- Where would it belong on a wine list?
- Is it better suited to by-the-glass or by-the-bottle service?
- Would the judge feel confident recommending it to a guest?

The objective is to identify wines that can become commercially successful parts of restaurant, hotel, and hospitality beverage programs.

More Serving and Channel Insight in 2027

The ninth edition will introduce additional serving-format and Channel Fit recommendations.

Judges will identify whether a wine is best suited to:

- By-the-glass service
- By-the-bottle service
- Single-serve placement

Wines may also be recommended for particular hospitality channels, including fine dining, premium restaurants, casual dining, wine bars, hotels, resorts, private clubs, airlines, cruise lines, catering programs, and event venues.

These additions will provide clearer context around where and how each wine could be served. They will also make the winners easier for sommeliers and buyers to explore according to the needs of their individual programs.

About the Sommeliers Choice Awards

Organized by Beverage Trade Network, the Sommeliers Choice Awards is an international wine competition focused on identifying wines with the quality and commercial relevance to succeed in the U.S. on-premise market.

The 2027 judging will take place in Chicago on May 24, with winners announced on June 10, 2027.

Meet the 2027 Sommeliers Choice Awards Judges

Also Read:
Mastering Multi-Venue Beverage Programs: Insights from Jared Sowinski
Jesse Becker MS On How Sommeliers Can Grow German Wine Sales in Restaurants
How Restaurants Can Grow Beverage Sales Without Compromising Hospitality