Wine Competition Judges

Dan Fusco

A dedicated and passionate wine professional, Dan brings a rich blend of formal education, hands-on winemaking, and leadership in the wine community to every judging panel. A certified wine judge through the American Wine Society Wine Judge Certification Program, Dan possesses a keen analytical palate and a deep understanding of sensory evaluation.

His academic credentials include WSET Level 3 in Wines, providing a global perspective on wine styles, production, and tasting techniques, as well as the Italian Wine Scholar designation with Highest Honors, reflecting a nuanced expertise in the complex and diverse wines of Italy.

Dan has served as a judge at major national competitions, including the Winemaker Magazine Amateur Wine Competition, one of the largest amateur wine competitions in the world, and at the American Wine Society Amateur Wine Competition, further showcasing his trusted and developing expertise in evaluating wines across a wide range of styles and varietals.

In addition to formal certifications, Dan is the Chairperson of the Fairfield Chapter of the American Wine Society, actively organizing tastings, educational events, and fostering wine appreciation in the local community.

A lifelong home winemaker, Dan has a personal, hands-on understanding of the winemaking process, bringing a practical perspective to evaluating wines. This combination of technical training, judging experience, and real-world winemaking insight allows Dan to approach wine evaluation with both precision and passion.

David Garaventa

David is a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) from the Society of Wine Educators who taught wine classes for over a decade at New England Culinary Institute (NECI) in Vermont. In addition, he has designed wine education programs, staff training sessions, and consulted at a variety of New England establishments. With an appreciation for regional, boutique, and under-the-radar offerings, he strives to showcase producers and varietals that can enrich consumers' perspectives on wine and help shed light on the amazing wines currently being produced around New England and the Mid-Atlantic region. He has frequently participated as a judge in the Big E Wine Competition and views it as a great showcase for the quality and diversity of regional wines.

Carole Hackett

With a background in healthcare, Carole’s undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry has been valuable in her wine studies. Her interest in wine has led her to seek further education. She is actively working with students from the Wine Judge Certification Program of the American Wine Society. Carole is a Certified Wine Judge with merit. Carole remains active in teaching and learning. She has completed continuing education at Penn State, UC Davis, Society of Wine Educators and the American Wine Society conference annually. Carole has presented sessions at the American Wine Society annual conferences in wine continuing education for judges. She has taught beginning classes at the local wine shop. Carole has completed Level 2 of WSET program with Merit. She has recently passed her Sommelier certification from the National Wine School. Carole serves as the Regional Advisor for Eastern Kentucky for the American Wine Society as well as education liaison of the local chapter in Frankfort KY.

Carole enjoys judging amateur and commercial competitions. Her nine years of judging experience have taken her through much of the USA. Competitions judged include:

Indy International , Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Tennessee Valley Oenological Society, Kentucky State Fair, Franklin County Fair, Hamilton County 4H amateur event, Denver International Wine Competition, The Houston Rodeo Uncorked, Georgia Trustees Wine Challenge, The Alabama Amateurs event, Michigan Mead Cup, The Big E, Minnesota State Fair, The Mid-Atlantic Southeastern/Carolina Classic Wine competition, The Wines of the South, Illinois Amateur, The Cincinnati Vintners Association and the Kentucky Commissioners Cup.

Carole resides in Frankfort, KY. Her favorite wine is that which is enjoyed with friends!

Sharyn Kervyn

Sharyn Kervyn de Volkaersbeke has had a career centered around the wine industry. She holds a diploma with honors from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (dipWSET), is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) through the Society of Wine Educators and Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. She is an International OIV and American Wine Society Certified Wine Judge with Merit II, judging competitions in America and Europe annually. After her first year at London’s International Wine Challenge, Sharyn was promoted from Associate to Judge.

She opened the Getty Center Museum in Los Angeles as catering director and has held wine director and general manager positions in California, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Her work in the industry earned features in LA Confidential, Los Angeles Times, and an E Television segment. She has also served as a guest lecturer and conducted wine seminars for various organizations across America and London. Sharyn serves on the national wine education committee for AWS, is the founder of KdV Wine Services, LLC and serves as Director and Head Judge for the New Jersey Governors Showcase. Sharyn also teaches wine education courses she developed for AWS, Rutgers University, and Camden County College (WineLogic Advanced now a CWP Certification Course). Her impressive credentials and extensive experience led to an invitation to SommCon Rhône Master’s immersion camp, membership in London's esteemed Association of Wine Educators (AWE), and consistent 'Best of' Wine Spectator Awards for her wine lists during her 15-year tenure as the Wine Director for The Capital Grille.

Maureen Macdonald

Maureen is a University of Vermont graduate with 20 years professional experience in the beverage and wine industry. She has studied oenology and cider making at Cornell University, Penn State, and Naugatuck Valley CC. She holds experience in both viticulture and oenology as a field manager and head winemaker for commercial vineyards. After years of working as a consultant to many vineyards, she now is the head winemaker for Hawk Ridge Winery, in Watertown, CT, where she makes 34 different wines. She also is a writer and technical editor for Winemaker Magazine, where she writes the Varietal Focus column for each edition. She was a contributing author to The Winemaker Guide to Home Winemaking, and was featured in Carlo DeVito's Drink New England, for her contributions to the region's wine industry. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Chevallier Award for Wine Educators. When she isn’t hard at work in the lab or winery, she is often judging commercial and amateur competitions or making hard cider and beer at home with her beloved dog, Dylan and cat, Harvey.

Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery is a graduate of the American Wine Society’s Wine Judge Certification Program (re-certified in 2021), holds a WSET Level 2 Certification (With Distinction) and is an Italian Wine Specialist. He has judged at the American Wine Society Commercial and Amateur Wine Competitions, The Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition, Wines of the South Wine Competition, Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Challenge, Lone Star International Wine Competition, Vino Challenge International, Tennessee Viticultural and Oenological Society amateur wine competition, the Alabama Commercial Wine Competition and the Heartland Wine Competition. He is also the judging coordinator for the Alabama Winemakers and Grape Growers Association amateur wine competition. Scott has won numerous medals for his own homemade wines over the last thirty years. A third-generation Oregonian, Scott and his wife now reside in Birmingham, Alabama.

Kevin Ostrowski

Kevin is a former high school chemistry, physics, and math teacher, a retired QA/QC nuclear utility executive and currently the American Wine Society’s (AWS) Director of Education and Chapter Chair of the AWS Beaver County, PA, chapter. An AWS Certified Wine Judge with merit II (CWJMII), Kevin is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) with the Society of Wine Educators, holds a Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wine and Spirits (with Merit), has a Wine Scholar Guild Master Level Champagne Certificate, has completed level 1 Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, and is PLCB RAMP certified. He has enjoyed the privilege of judging many local and regional wine competitions. An Instructor for AWS Wine Judge Certification Training, he is also a wine instructor for Butler County Community College in Butler, PA and has taught the Super Tasters Class for the American Wine Society. A home wine maker, he has won several medals from both AWS and WineMaker magazine. Kevin is a member of The Wine Century Club, GuildSomm, the Society of Wine Educators, the Wine Scholar Guild, and the Pennsylvania Wine Society. Kevin Resides in Beaver, PA.

Jennifer Pereira

Jen Pereira has been passionate about wine for 30 years, since her first introduction during studies at New England Culinary Institute in Vermont up through today, where she is an Associate Professor at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.

Pereira teaches students of all ages how to design, craft, evaluate and appreciate wines, ciders, meads, beers, and spirits, in both undergrad and continuing education certification classes.You can often find her alongside students and alumni serving samples of all manner of fermentation projects at festivals and fundraisers throughout the region.

Pereira judges at a wide variety of amateur and commercial beverage competitions around the country and internationally. She holds an MBA, WSET Diploma in Wine and Spirits, SWE Certified Wine Educator, BJCP National Beer Judge, Certified Cicerone, ACA Certified Cider Guide, WSET Level 3 Spirits, WSET Level 2 Beer, and WSET Level 1 Sake.

Rick Schofield

With over 19 years of experience in the wine industry, Rick has held prominent roles as a Head Sommelier at Sagamore Resort, Beverage Director at the Culinary Institute of America, Fine Wine Manager at Viscount Wine & Liquor, and Sommelier at Mission Hill Estate Winery in British Columbia. Rick is also the Owner of Schofield Wine School at The Rhinecliff Hotel and has presented at national conferences for both the American Wine Society and the Society of Wine Educators.

Accredited as an Advanced Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, Rick is a Certified Wine Educator and holds additional certifications as an Accredited Bourgogne Educator, International Bordeaux Educator, and Certified Wine Judge. His extensive judging experience includes roles at Les Grands Concours du Monde, the International Wine & Spirits Competition, and the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, among others.

Jeffrey Stabins

Jeff Stabins is an AWS certified wine judge with merit 2 and has a WSET level 3 certification. He is on the Board of the Raise A Glass Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that runs wine, spirits, beer and cider competitions for charity. Jeff is the Head Judge of the Great American International Wine Competition. In 2018, along with his wife Nancy, he was voted AWS Regional Vice President of the year. Jeff has enjoyed judging many wine competitions in the US and Europe over the past 15 years.

Barry St. Pierre

Barry St.Pierre has been growing grapes and making wine for several years at his home in Burlington, CT.His vineyard includes a variety of vinifera and hybrid grapes.His award-winning wines are made from his own grapes as well as carefully selected grapes from California and Chile, and he is considered among the top amateur winemakers by the American Wine Society.

As a certified wine judge he participates at many state, regional, and national commercial and amateur competitions.He had been an instructor for the American Wine Society Wine Judge Certification Program for several years and served as a Regional Vice President of the American Wine Society.He has also passed both WSET 2 and WSET 3.

Leanne Wheeler

Leanne is a Level 1 Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Graduate of the American Wine Society (AWS) Wine Judge Certification program and has achieved WSET Level 2 (with distinction).

Leanne has served as an instructor for wine courses at the Manchester Community College as well as an instructor and co-creator for Level 1 of the AWS Super Tasting Series (now WineSmarts).Leanne is an active wine judge, participating in a variety of commercial and amateur competitions across the east coast.

Vincent D. Williams

Vincent Williams CSW, CSWS, CWJM is an American Wine Society Certified Wine Judge with Merit.By day he’s a mild manner cybersecurity specialist for the Department of the Air Force.By night a wine educator.As a wine educator, Mr. Williams enjoys sharing wine knowledge with retail customers and students.He holds certifications from the Society of Wine Educators, the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust, and the Wine Scholars Guild.Additionally, he has completed the certificate program in Winemaking from the University of California-Davis, to improve his suggestions to winemakers.He enjoys learning more and more about wine.

Michael S. Wilson

Michael has significant experience in judging of a various assortment of wines: Traditional grape wines, native and hybrid wines, fruit wines, and those made from honey (mead). He has had experiences judging both in the US and in Europe.

He is a certified wine judge-with merit, a certified mead judge, and the WSET-3 with merit. In addition he is now working on the WSET-diploma.