TASTING PANEL
The Oregon Wine Awards could not be possible without the essential and valued contributions of our distinguished group of Northwest wine professionals. Our Tasting Panel features top local and national wine professionals consisting of highly respected Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, wine buyers, wine directors, sommeliers and journalists.
HIGHEST INTEGRITY
THOROUGH EVALUATION
Our thorough evaluation is of the highest integrity and our thoughtful process provides both our Tasting Panel and entries the best environment for tasting.
2025 Oregon Wine Awards Tasting Panel – All Photos Courtesy of Alabastro Photography
(Seated L to R) Brian Carter, Brian Carter Cellars, WA; Van Doren Chan, Board – Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, BC CAN; Ole Thompson, ADV Sommelier/Cherry Hill Wine & Spirits, WA; Reggie Daigneault, ReggieWine.com, WA; Dr. Gregory K. Chan, Echanson Emeritus – La Chaine des Rotisseurs, WA; Serena Gordon, De La Luz Wines, WA; Bob Betz, Master of Wine – Betz Family Winery, WA; Mina Williams, CS – Blanc and Rouge Wines, WA; (Standing L to R) Amberleigh Brownson, CS – GLM Winery, WA; Victor De La Luz Wines; Kendall Mix, Lawrelin Cellars, WA; Tanya Morningstar, CellarMuse.com, WA; Christopher Chan, ADV Sommelier/Founder-Seattle Wine Awards.com; Samantha Cole-Johnson, US Critic/JancisRobinson.com, OR; Joel Butler, Master of Wine/TheWineKnowLog, WA; Tony Luera, Founder-Mountain Beverage Group, OR; Chris Nishiwaki, Wine Industry Writer, WA; Nakenge Adisa, CS – Perusia Cellars, WA. (Not Pictured but Equally Appreciated and Valued – Tim O’Brien, CS, Salty’s Seafood Grills (ret,).
RECEIVED, REVIEWED & CONFIRMED
WINE ENTRIES
Each entry is personally received, reviewed, confirmed and entered into our program matrix. Each bottle is proofed for soundness by a team of certified sommeliers to ensure the wine is true to its’ origin. All entries are checked for bottle variation and tainted wines (TCA, Acetic Acid or Oxidation) are never poured for our panel.