Our 2024 Sommelier Judges
Lisa Redwine, GM & Wine Director, Burtech Family Vineyard Winery, 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 + Bar before joining Burtech as GM and Wine Director in 2023.
 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, and also a wine instructor at SDSU.
 Claudia Horta, Sommelier, Casta de Vinos, Guadalupe Valley, Baja California, Mexico
Claudia is an Advanced Sommelier and winemaker at Casta de Vinos, a boutique winery in Valle de Guadalupe that she co-owns with her husband, Sergio Casteneda Pina. She is recognized as a leader and visionary in the Mexican wine industry and has been awarded for her promotion of wine tourism in Baja California and women in the wine industry. Her accredidations include Sommelier degree from the Culinary Art School and WSET level 3 certification. She is also an instructor for the Sommelier diploma at the Art Wine School.  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, Duckhorn Portfolio, 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 has been Regional Sales Manager at Duckhorn Portfolio since 2019.
 Rafael Hernandez, Western Division Director, Long Meadow Ranch Estates, Napa, CA
Growing up an Orange County native, Rafael was born to Salvadorian immigrants, who blessed him with a passion for the simple things in life. As a Certified Sommelier, his career has taken him to special corners around the world where good wine is made. He has worked in several fields of the wine industry since 2001. Rafael is currently the Western Division Director for Long Meadow Ranch Estates, a Certified Organic Napa Valley winery that has national presence through prestigious accounts.  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..
 Emily Kennett, Account Manager, RNDC, San Diego, CA
Emily is an Account Manager of the fine wine division of Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). She recently completed the diploma portion of WSET, earning Merit on her thesis on non-alcoholic wines. Emily received her early sommelier training by working in New York City restaurants, but is happy to have traded the hustle and bustle of the city for the San Diego beaches.  Genix Vigo, Account Development Specialist, Aspect Fine Wine
Genix is a Certified Sommelier currently working for Aspect Fine Wine. He was formerly the Wine Buyer for San Diego-based restaurant Kettner Exchange. Prior to his work there, Genix was the Wine Captain at Michelin-starred restaurant Addison at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.  Victoria O'Bryan, Advanced Sommelier
Victoria is a CMS Level III Advanced Sommelier. She was a Sommelier at Addison restaurant for seven year before being selected as Wine Director, where she was in charge of the restaurant's Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine program. Victoria currently heads her own company, Electric Wines, a beverage consulting and event firm. |
