TASTING PANEL
The Seattle Cider Awards could not be possible without the essential and valued contributions of our distinguished group of professionals. Our tasting panel consists of highly-experienced bar, spirits, and mixology experts and craftspeople that have earned industry-wide recognition and popular consumer appeal.
- CHRIS ARORA
Lead Sommelier, John Howie Steak - JEAN-CLAUDE BEC
Winemaker, Woodhouse Family / Le Bec Fin - JOEL BUTLER
Master of Wine / World of Wine.com - CHRISTOPHER CHAN
Advanced Sommelier, Happy Hour Radio - DR. GREGORY CHAN
Vice-Echanson – La Chaine des Rotisseurs - JEFF COX
Wine Director, PCC Markets - NANCY CROSIER
Founder, VinoSocial.wine - CHIP CROTEAU
Wine Director, Ray’s Boathouse - REGGIE DAIGNEAULT
Wine Educator – ReggieWine.com
- SHELLY FITZGERALD
Wine Educator, Columbia Winery - JEFF FOURNIER
WA State Wine Buyer, Esquin Wine & Spirits - D. MARIA HALSTEAD
Wine Marketing, NW Wine Academy - ROY HERSH
ForTheLoveofPort.com - TRACEY LaPIERRE
Enologist, Seattle Wine Lab - GREG LILL
Co-Founder, DeLille Cellars - TIM O’BRIEN
Beverage Director, Salty’s Seafood Grills - SUSAN PLUNKETT
Wine Team, Grocery Outlet
- LENNY REDE
Wine Buyer, New Seasons Market Mercer Island, WA - SERENA ROBERGE-GORDON
President, Puget Sound Wine Growers - ED RYDBECK
Co-Founder, Seattle Enological Society - AUBREY TERRAZAS
Advanced Sommelier – OMVino.com, San Francisco, CA - OLE THOMPSON
Advanced Sommelier, Seattle, WA - TIFFANY TOBEY
Wine Director / Sommelier, Hilton Hotel – Dallas, TX - ELI TRAVERSE
Advanced Sommelier, Avennia Wines - MINA WILLIAMS
Certified Sommelier / Blanc et Rouge Wine / NW Stir
RECEIVED, REVIEWED & CONFIRMED
CIDER ENTRIES
Our process is a single-blind tasting and evaluation process meaning panelists are aware of intended style, fruit composition, and residual sugar components. The awards give include: Best of Class, Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Grand Award of Excellence.