Category: Judges

Lisa started her journey in the wine industry in 1996 shortly after graduating from Sonoma State University with a degree in Biology and Chemistry.  Having lived in Europe for several years before college, gave Lisa a perspective into “living” with food and wine as part of a daily routine. It is there where she found her passion for wine.  Her introduction into the wine business was from the ground up, first working as a grape sampler, Lab Tech then to Production Manager at Martini and Prati Winery.

In 1999 she joined the lab staff at Benziger Family Winery.  Then in 2003 became Assistant Winemaker and in 2008 she became Winemaker for our Certified Sustainable North Coast Sauvignon Blanc, the Sonoma County Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Now as Senior Winemaker, she is responsible for our certified biodynamic wine from our Estate properties including Tribute and Joaquin’s inferno to name a few.    Lisa has been very lucky to have had some dedicated and diverse mentors in her career, gleaning production knowledge and winemaking expertise along the way.  She is also involved with peers on many technical panels for sensory evaluation and processes.

Lisa is responsible for determining wine styles for the Benziger wines through collaborative tastings and initiates implementation in wine processing.  She stays close to the wine by working with her cellar crew and lab team daily in crafting Benziger’s Family line of wine.  She and her team are constantly looking for ways to increase quality, improve efficiency and have fun while doing it.

A Sonoma County native, Lisa is also a grape grower.  She worked with her father in developing and planting the family Pinot Noir Vineyard in 1998.  She was hands on in planting, installing/repairing irrigation, pruning, shoot thinning, harvesting and the like. This gave her appreciation for the hard work needed to manage and maintain a vineyard and  perspective into finding a balance in sustainable farming and grape quality.

When not making wine, Lisa is an avid horseback rider, hiker and traveler.  When at home she enjoys cooking and is forever looking for the perfect wine and food combination.

A native born Californian, John graduated from California State University, Stanislaus with a degree in Chemistry. After graduating, John took extensive viticulture and enology courses at UC Davis. John started making wine in 2005 and is currently the Winemaking Manager for Bronco Winery.

John is an avid hiker, enjoys camping, fishing, an array of sports, gardening, and listening to music. One of John’s favorite pastimes is to get in his car and drive in any direction to discover what lies beyond that next bend. Last, but not least, for this award winning winemaker, he loves wine judging and tasting.

Crafting and blending wines from throughout California, John targets distinct flavors that everyone will enjoy. “I want to create wines that the novice and the seasoned wine consumer will enjoy. Wines should be complex as well as intense but have a certain softness that invites another taste.”

“Classic, bold, and dependable are characteristics that I search for when blending each Red Truck Wine. I feel it reflects the Dennis Ziemienski painting.”

Paul began his career at Korbel Champagne Cellars in 1985, shortly after his graduation from the University of California at Davis with a degree in Enology, and two years of experience working as a distiller for a subsidiary of French Cognac producer Remy Martin. Having gained extensive experience working in Korbel’s laboratory, cellar, grower relations, and as an Assistant Winemaker, as well as teaching wine chemistry at Sonoma State University, Paul
was promoted to the position of Winemaker prior to the 1996 harvest.

Named Senior Winemaker in 1998, Paul’s responsibilities include all aspects of champagne production at Korbel. He monitors the quality of the wines throughout the entire process: from grape bunches to bottles of champagne.

He believes in combining the best of world class grapes, modern technology, and traditional hand-craftsmanship to make Korbel a premier California Champagne. Paul credits much of the quality of our champagnes to the members of Korbel’s cellar crew and laboratory, who are
dedicated to excellence.

Born in Helsinki, Finland, Paul emigrated to the United States in 1968. He currently lives in nearby Sebastopol. When he isn’t making wine, he enjoys restoring old sports cars, older houses and tractors. He is very interested in the preservation of Sonoma County’s agricultural diversity.