Our 2026 Sommelier Judges
Lisa Redwine, Total Wine & More, San Diego, CA An Advanced Sommelier, Lisa holds multiple food and beverage certifications, including Certified Specialist of Wine from Society of Wine Educators, Certified Wine Professional and an AOS Degree from Culinary Institute of America. She worked as a chef and general manager for fine restaurants in San Francisco before relocating to San Diego. She has held management positions at the San Diego Marriott Marina and La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, and served as GM/Wine Buyer at Market Restaurant and GM and Wine Director at Burtech Family Vineyards.
 Nicholas George, GM & Wine Director, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, San Diego, CA
Originally from upstate New York, Nicholas discovered the world of wine while attending the Culinary Institute of America. He is credentialed as a Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and worked as Maitre d' at Addison in San Diego and Maitre d' and Sommelier at Per Se in NYC. Prior to Addison, he was at Balthazar in NYC, one of the city's top casual restaurants. In San Diego Nick served as Corporate Hospitality Manager at Urban Plates and Director of Operations for Great Maple. He is currently GM and Wine Director of the Marine Room and La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.  Zack Musick, Director of Education, The German Wine Collection, Orange County, CA
Zack's career as a Certified Sommelier began at the Studio restaurant at Montage Laguna Beach. His career transitioned to Beverage Director at the Four Seasons Lanai'i, followed by Beverage Director at the Merriman's Restaurant Group, with multiple locations on the islands. Zack has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Somm Journal and Maxim during the various facets of his beverage career. After nearly 10 years on the "buying side" of the industry, he is fulfilling his passion for wine education in his current position.
 Rebekah Sanders, Regional Sales Manager, Bronco WIne Company, Carlsbad, CA
Rebekah is a Certified Sommelier who has been in the wine business for over 12 years in various capacities. She has worked as the sommelier at top resorts in Southern California, including the Park Hyatt in Carlsbad and Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. She is a certified sommelier, has her WSET diploma and is currently studying to be a Master of Wine. She was Regional Sales Manager at Duckhorn Portfolio prior to signing on with Bronco Wine Company.
 Matt Brien, Sommelier, Animae Restaurant, Puffer Malarkey Collective, San Diego, CA
A CMS Certified Sommelier, Matt is a 21-year veteran in the hospitality industry. He relocated to San Diego from Long Beach 10 years ago and is currently with Puffer Malarkey Collective, the hospitality group that owns and opreates Animae, Herb and Wood, Le Coq, and others. In 2021, Matt founded a blind tasting group for members of the San Diego hospitality industry that focuses on professional growth and exam preparation..
 Stacie HuntStacie is an Emmy and Belding Award-winning TV journalist and a contributing wine/food writer for SOMM Journal, Tasting Panel, Forbes Women, Huffington Post, and others. She is a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier, AIS/WSA, and Dame de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and co-founder of SPLASH Productions and Point Media, producers of wine, cuisine, and art events and exhibitions, as well as videos/documentaries, including the award-winning Wine Spectator magazine anniversary doc. Stacie serves as Veep of the National Association of Wine Retailers and is an adjunct professor of food and wine at Cal Poly, USC, and UCLA. She is a spokesperson and trade educator for the regions of Provence Rosé, Rioja DOCa, Provino (Baja, California), and Comité Champagne.  Will Burtner, FOX 5 San Diego “Will the Wine Guy”Will is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He has been in food and beverage since 1998, tending bar in San Francisco, then in 2006 working for multiple San Diego operations including Donovan’s Steak and Chop House and at Harrah’s Resort as the Property Sommelier/Food and Beverage Operations manager. Will has been a contributor on Fox 5’s morning show as “Will the Wine Guy” since 2011 having been on air over 700 times educating the public about wine, beer, spirits and restaurants. In 2026, Will wrote and released a coffee table book for new wine drinkers called “Understanding Wine in About 20 Minutes”. It also serves as a manual for entry level food and beverage employees.
 Tami Wong, Stay Classy Selections, San Diego
A 3rd generation hospitality professional, Tami achieved Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2007. She served as Wine Director at La Valencia Hotel and then opened Juniper and Ivy. Tami won Best New Sommelier from Wine & Spirits magazine in 2014 and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2015. She left restaurants in 2017 to represent Estate Wines Ltd and Wine Wise. She loves sales and supporting local enterprise, so she founded Stay Classy Selections, the first wholesale distributor specializing in San Diego County wine and cider in 2020. She joined Avanelle Wine Company in January 2025. Tami is a founding member of 2 key groups. Nat Diego, San Diego’s fun-loving natural wine festival, was one of USA Today's 10 Best Wine Festivals in 2019. She is also the Acting President of Womens Wine Alliance which serves as an educational and networking body focused on advancing women in the wine industry.
John Person John is a Certified Sommelier, French Wine Scholar, and has an advanced Certificate with Wine and Spirits Education Trust. He is a retired physician and wine educator. He manages several large wine cellars, including purchasing and events utilization. |
