The Palates To Trust

The reputation of a spirits competition is often defined by the quality of its judges. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, our judging panels consist of the most respected, experienced experts in the spirits industry.

Meet our judges

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Víctor M. Martínez Quezada

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Executive Director

Anthony Dias Blue

Anthony Dias Blue is the Executive Director and founder of the San Francisco World Spirits

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Joe Micallef

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Eric Grenier

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Thomas “Mac” Gregory III

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Zach Johnston

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Robert Gonzales

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Karen Harling

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Chris Adams

While Chris Adams can currently be found jetting around the world creating acclaimed bar programs

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Colin Asare-Appiah

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Stephen Beal

Steve Beal of San Francisco is a globally recognized distilled spirits consultant who works in

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Mark Bowery

In addition to designing and maintaining award-winning beverage programs for fine restaurants, Mark Bowery is

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Martin Cate

Martin Cate is a rum and exotic cocktail expert and the owner and creator of

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Jerry Cooper

Originally from Los Angeles, Jerry has worked the last 30 years in San Francisco as

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Tony Devencenzi

Tony Devencenzi is a bartender at Bourbon & Branch and the Educational Coordinator for Future

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H. Joseph Ehrmann

H. has cooked, served, managed, and bartended in over 20 bars and restaurants around the

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Scott Ellis

Scott has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years in a wide variety

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Ziggy Eschliman

Ziggy Eschliman is among America’s most enthusiastic, authoritative, and entertaining libation experts. For over 20

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Jeff Feist

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Josh Gelfand

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Kyle McHugh

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Virginia Miller

Since founding The Perfect Spot in 2007, Virginia Miller is the West North America Chair

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Fred Minnick

With appearances on Top Chef and the Amazon Prime host of Bourbon Up, Wall Street

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Ivy Mix

Ivy Mix is Co-Owner and Head Bartender of Leyenda, her pan-Latin cocktail bar in Carroll

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Chief Judge

Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Jeffrey Morgenthaler has been an award-winning bartender since 1996. He currently manages the James Beard

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Julie Reiner

Julie Reiner has been elevating the cocktail scene in NYC for over 15 years, most

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Enrique Sanchez

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Craig Schoettler

As Executive Director of Beverage and Corporate Mixologist at MGM Resorts International, Craig Schoettler uses

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Toshio Ueno

Certified Master of Sake, Master Sake Sommelier, and Shochu Sommelier. Toshio is the only one

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Dominic Venegas

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Nat Harry

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Nate Ganapathi

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Nora Furst

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Gary Gruver

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Eduardo A. Dingler

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Kim Haasarud

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