Cider and Perry Competition Judges

Marina Borsalina

Originally from Moscow and now based in New York City, Marina is an international finance professional with deep expertise in wine and cider. Commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she authored US Winemaking, the first Russian-language book on American winemaking practices. She also has contributed numerous articles to leading industry publications. Her interview with Tom Oliver of Oliver’s Cider and Perry is set to be published later this year.

Marina has hands-on experience in the wine industry, having produced her own wine, and has worked for one of Russia’s foremost cidermakers. She has played a key role in the revival of Russian cider, influencing its growth and development, teaching master classes and promoting the industry.

She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in wine, Certified Pommelier certificate from the American Cider Association and has served as a judge at the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP) for the past four years in a row. Additionally, she participates in various international competitions across the U.S. and internationally.

Max Finnance

Max Finnance is both a Certified Pommelier from the American Cider Association and a BJCP Certified Cider Judge. He currently serves on the ACA's Education Committee, and is the Northeast Representative on the BJCP's board of directors. He is also a Master Cicerone and Grand Master BJCP judge, as well as a Certified Spirits Specialist. Following a decade of experience in sales, quality, and education roles for breweries and cideries, Max currently works as an independent beverage consultant, and lives in CT with his wife, son, and two dogs.

Mark Gryska

Mark Gryska has been an amateur cider maker for the past few decades and has been an active participant for Franklin County Cider Days from its beginning. He is a Certified BJCP judge and is the organizer of the Cider Days Amateur Cider Competition and has judged cider at Big E, GLINTCAP and other competitions.

Ronald Natalie

Ron has been an aficionado of all sorts of fermented beverages. He has judged amateur and commercial wines, ciders, meads, and spirits at the American Wine Society, Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, Big-E, Winemaker Magazine, and Finger Lakes International competitions as well as many at the state and local level. He servers as the current Vice President of the American Wine Society.

Ron is a graduate of the AWS Wine Judge Certification Program, holds WSET 2 and 3 certifications with distinction. He lives in North Carolina with his similarly wine-crazed wife, Margy.

Claire Trindle

Claire is the founder of Blind Bear Beverages, offering immersive beverage workshops, bartending services, and a product line of cocktail ingredients. Her passion is sharing her expertise and love of craft beverages with consumers and fellow industry professionals. Beyond her business, Claire supports and advocates for the hard cider industry by presenting at craft beverage conferences and judging cider and perry competitions.

Claire is proud to be Philadelphia’s first Certified Pommelier and Pennsylvania’s first female Certified Pommelier. Claire’s industry experience includes roles as Taproom Manager at Hale & True Cider Co. and Brand Ambassador for Graft Cider.

April Woodard

With over two decades actively engaged in the cider sector, April Woodard has made substantial contributions through a broad spectrum of roles. As a long-standing member of the CiderDays Committee, she served as a presenter, speaker, cider judge, panelist, moderator, and event planner. April has extensive experience collaborating with chefs on cider and food pairings, including integrating and developing cave-aged cheeses in New York and Washington, D.C. She is a co-founder of Muse Cider Bar and was recognized with medals at the New York International Cider Competition, including being honored as Massachusetts' Wood Barrel Producer of the year. Additionally, April worked as the Director of Programming for the Northeast Cider Conference curating networking and educational content for US and international cider professionals.