Alex Bardsley AIWS earned two degrees in Asian Studies before his curiosity turned towards wine. Now he is a sommelier instructor in the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Washington. He holds diplomas from the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. While pursuing his studies, Alex worked at such restaurants as Maloney & Porcelli, the Oceanaire Seafood Room, New Heights and most recently Le Zinc, where he served as Wine Director.

Elli Benchimol was named Beverage Director for Chef Geoff’s Restaurants in March of 2010, capping more than 10 years of work within the food and beverage industry. Elli Benchimol had her first sommelier position in DC at Rasika in 2006. She is currently studying for her third level at the Court of Master Sommeliers and taking the Diploma courses for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust through the Wine Institute in New York. Elli Benchimol is a member of the DC Craft Bartenders Guild.

Bartholomew Broadbent was named one of the “fifty most influential in the wine world" by Decanter magazine in 1997. In 2008, Wine&Spirits Magazine named him one of ten people “driving the most revolutionary changes in wine”. Broadbent currently imports and distributes wine under Broadbent Selections, Inc., including Port, and Vinho Verde and Madeira under the Broadbent name, as well as Malbec from Argentina and Gruner Veltliner from Austria.

Nadine Brown was born and raised in Jamaica and Puerto Rico, however Brown began her career in wine while working in D.C. restaurants such as Bistro Bis, 701 and Vidalia. Currently, Brown is the wine director for Charlie Parker Steak D.C. She has won awards from The National Restaurant Association, The Wine Spectator, Food & Wine Magazine and Star Chefs. Brown has earned certifications from both the Court of Master Sommeliers and Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

Matthew Carroll came into the wine industry by way of the classroom. As a teacher and counselor, Carroll honed skills that serve him well as a sommelier. He has lent his talents to such venues as The Inn at Little Washington, 2941 Restaurant and Rogue 24. Matthew works incredibly hard to demystify wine and teach his guests and staff with his contagious passion for drink. He is currently working toward his Master Sommelier certification.

Molly Christhilf Finnegan started her wine career at Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia. For the past eight years Finnegan been a wine sales representative for Winebow, Inc, a distributor who represents over 3,000 international wines. Finnegan has passed the Introductory Level 1 of the Court of Master Sommeliers, earned her Wine & Spirits Education Trust Advanced certificate as well as her Certification for a Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators.

Bill Curtis is one of the most experienced wine tasters in the industry, with a career that started in the late 60s. In 1981, Curtis started the Wine Club of Charlottesville which has met continuously for more than 30 years. He has judged at numerous wine competitions, and tastes nearly 100 wines each week for his wine program.

Julie Dalton got her start in wine while working at restaurants in college. Despite having a successful career in the biotech industry, wine eventually called back to Dalton and she returned as the full time sommelier at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. Aside from the Four Seasons, Dalton also consults for restaurants and collectors and is part of the Wit & Wisdom team. Dalton is an Advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators.

George C. Davis graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1975, and immediately put that degree to work as the Manager of Fine Wine and Gourmet at Bacchus & Bread in Richmond VA. Davis has been the Senior Judge for the Virginia State Fair Wine Competition since 1999. George C. Davis is a Certified Wine Specialist from the Society of Wine Educators.

Kristi Delovitch is a top sales consultant for The Country Vintner in Washington, DC. Prior to her tenure at The Country Vintner Kristi was the top off-premise, fine wine consultant at Republic National for 5 years. In her current role, she consults closely with more than 30 fine wine retailers, hotels and restaurants and specializes in high-end wine from all over 15 countries. Kristi is a current WSET Diploma Candidate having passed the Wine Spirit Education Trust Intermediate and Advanced examinations. She is a WSET instructor for the Capital Wine School.

David Denton is the only American faculty member of the Wine Academy of Spain in Madrid and is a sommelier at Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, DC. He has passed the Advanced Sommelier exam, is a Certified Bordeaux Educator, and holds all three certifications from the Society of Wine Educators: Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits and Certified Wine Educator.

Maria E. Denton is an educator, restaurateur and consultant working in the Washington, DC area. She has been on the board of the Society of Wine Educators since 2008 and is a Certified Wine Educator with the SWE, a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Spanish Wine Educator with the Wine Academy of Spain

Michael Franz is a wine writer, educator and consultant. He is editor of Wine Review Online and a freelance contributor to many national and international wine magazines. Franz worked as the regular wine columnist for The Washington Post from 1994 through 2005 before leaving to help found Wine Review Online. Franz tastes approximately 9,000 wines each year and regularly judges wine competitions around the world.

Caroline Hermann lives in Washington D.C., where she is a WSET and CSW instructor for the Capital Wine School and is in wine retail sales with Whole Foods Market. Hermann holds a Diploma in Wine Studies with merit and and Advanced Certificate from the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Hermann is currently a candidate for Master of Wine.

Andrew Howells is a Partner and Beverage Director at EatWell DC. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 2000, Howells lived in France where he experienced a love for all things beverage-related. Andrew Howells is a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits from the Society of Wine Educators. He is currently pursuing a Diploma Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.

Jennifer Knowles studied chemistry at Syracuse University before moving to California and gaining a foothold in the in the retail beverage industry. Knowles was named the New World Rising Star Sommelier by StarChefs for her work at Rubicon in San Francisco before eventually finding herself on the east coast. Knowles has worked in several positions within the industry and is currently the Wine Director for The Inn at Little Washington.

Julian Mayor graduated from Boston University and worked in foreign policy before shifting careers and enrolling at the French Culinary Institute in New York. Upon graduation, Mayor managed French restaurants, helped to open Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak, Washington, DC and eventually was promoted to Head Sommelier of Bourbon Steak and Wine Director of the Four Seasons Hotel.

Kathy Morgan is an award winning sommelier and wine director. She has offered her expertise and experience to many of the world’s leading wine publications as a taster, commentator, contributor and panelist. Morgan's credits include The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, The Washington Times, Sommelier Journal, Food and Wine Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, and Flavor Magazine. Kathy Morgan is the 105th Master Sommelier in the United States.

Rebecca Murphy is a wine reviewer, writer judge and the first female wine steward in Texas. Murphy has a weekly feature in the Dallas Morning news and has also contributed to 3rd Edition of the Oxford Companion to Wine and the 6th Edition of The World Atlas of Wine. Murphy has judged Decanter World Wine Awards and International Wine Challenge in London, Concours Mondial, Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition and Critics Challenge in San Diego.

Tim O'Hare is a graduate of the Baltimore International Culinary College, a former Salesman of the Year with Reliable Churchill Distributors and is currently the Lower Atlantic Regional Director for is a graduate of the Baltimore International Culinary College, a former Salesman of the Year with Reliable Churchill Distributors. Tim O'Hare is a Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Specialist of Spirits, Certified Wine Educator as well as second level Master Sommelier and a Bordeaux Facilitator.

Ray O'Mara is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, a Sales Consultant with Washburn Wine Company and a founding member of of the Texas Sommelier Society. He is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator, CWE, and a WSET Diploma Graduate. O'Mara is also an Accredited International Bordeaux Tutor, a Spanish Wine Educator, a Certified Burgundy Instructor, a Rhone Master, and a French Wine Scholar.

Deborah Parker Wong is a wine writer, industry expert and professional wine competition judge. She judges approximately a dozen competitions each year, including the Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition, the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the London-based International Wine and Spirits Competition. Deborah Parker Wong is also the Northern California editor for The Tasting Panel, where she maintains a monthly column. Deborah Parker Wong is an Associate of the Institute of Wine and Spirits.

Eric Rohleder’s passion for wine started when he was attending culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu. Rohlder worked in the Austin restaurant industry before transitioning into the wine industry, first in sales at Glazer's Distributors and then as a restaurant consultant. Rohleder is currently embarking on a retail experience, Cordial Fine and Spirits and holds advanced degrees from the International Guild of Sommeliers and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.

Nick Stengel is the Executive Sous Chef of Willow Restaurant in Arlington, VA. He earned his BA at American University and an MPA from George Washington University. After leaving the political and research field, Nick Stengel became a cook in 2002. He is a member of the American Association of Wine Economists and the French Wine Society. Nick Stengle blogs at Mastering Wine.

Douglas Zerbst is the Director of Fine Wine for Republic National Distributing Co. of Virginia. He has many years of experience in restaurants, kitchens and hotels as a chef, food and beverage manager and sommelier.

Jeni Bonorino has been in the wine business for over 15 years with a focus on international wine sourcing and selection for companies such as Total Wine, Vino Volo and WineNation. Jeni earned her MBA from Bond University in Australia with a focus in International Wine Marketing from the University of Adelaide. She has written wine numerous articles for international publications as well as taught wine education classes in the United States and Brazil. Jeni is currently enrolled in the WSET Diploma program.

Antonio Busalacchi comes from a family that has been in the restaurant business for over 65 years. He is an Advanced Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and is a Master Sommelier Candidate preparing to sit for his Master’s exams in 2014. He is also a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Specialist of Wine, and Certified Specialist of Spirits with the Society of Wine Educators. In 2011, he was chosen as one of 10 Americans invited to the Deutsches Weininstitut Spring Sommelier Class in Germany.

Katie Cavanagh led a successful career in sales and marketing before making wine her life. After traveling throughout the United States, France, Italy, and Spain, to visit wineries and wine regions, she became involved in numerous aspects of the industry. Cavanagh is a partner in Michael J. Cavanagh Wine Education, Wine Tasting & Events; marketing and events for A&M Imports; and manages social media for an international wine writer. Cavanagh is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators

Michael Cavanagh is a writer focused on the culture of food, wine, and travel. His work has been featured in Wine Enthusiast, Centurion Magazine, Departures Magazine, The Culture-ist, Palate Press, and others. He also writes for the wine education site Corkquiz.com and has contributed to books about wineries and restaurants in Australia. He is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and holds membership in the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association.

Kristen is a manager and company trainer for the Stone Soup Cooperative restaurants, Eatonville and Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. She is currently pursuing the WSET Diploma in Wine and Spirits through the Capital Wine School and has passed the Introductory Sommelier Exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Barbara Ensrud is a frequent speaker on the subject of wine, including its role in culture, history, myth and symbol. She conducts wine tastings and wine seminars for corporations, conferences and private gatherings. She also consults for restaurants in creating or upgrading wine lists, and with individuals interested in collecting wine or starting a wine cellar.

Laurie Forster is an award-winning sommelier, author, TV personality and comedian. Forster has had guest appearances on FOX Morning News, Martha Stewart Living Today and ABC News at Noon. Her wine career began in Manhattan where she studied with the American Sommelier Association to obtain her certificate in Viticulture and Vinification. Laurie has since earned an Advanced Certificate with Merit from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). She has also trained with the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley.

Jennifer Foucher is originally from Toronto and has worked in restaurants for over 10 years. Jennifer got her start at the Four Seasons in Toronto and has also worked at the Four Seasons in Washington, D.C. She is currently the sommelier at Proof in Washington, D.C. Jennifer is also a Wine and Spirits Education Trust Diploma candidate.

Shields Hood has spent over 40 years in the world of wine and spirits. He is a Certified Wine Specialist as well as a Certified Wine Educator. He has worked in almost every aspect of the industry, from retail stores to managing a distributor. He's also a highly respected educator and does seminars and trainings for large companies around the country. In addition to being a former President of the Society of Wine Educators, Shields is currently the General Manager of the SWE. His areas of expertise include California and Bordeaux.

Gus Kalaris is the founder and owner of Constantine Wines, Inc a twenty-six year old wine distribution and import company. Kalaris founded AXIOS, super premium Napa Valley wine brand in 1999. The success of Axios has spawned the WORTHY, TRUTH, and KALARIS FAMILY brands.. He, his wife and their two children reside in Maryland.

Martin Knudsen has been in wine for 7 years. This includes working as a retail wine associate doing direct sales, planning and execution of the French Wine Society annual conference and serving as an educator for many wine groups and clubs. Martin has his CSW and his WSET Advanced Certificate. He is a member of the Guild of Sommeliers. Currently, Martin is a second year WSET diploma student.

Brent Kroll, Wine Director of Adour at The St. Regis Washington D.C., brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise on wines and spirits. Recently, Kroll served as Wine Director of The Oval Room and Ardeo/Bardeo in Washington, D.C., a position held from 2008 until joining the Adour team in 2011. Kroll was nominated in 2010 for the Starchefs’ “Rising Star” award and has been featured in publications such as The Washington Post and DC Modern Luxury.

Richard Leahy is a wine professional based in Charlottesville. He has been writing about wines of Virginia and the East since 1986. His book Beyond Jefferson’s Vines was published to high praise. In 2007, Leahy organized the Virginia Wine Experience in London. He was a regional editor for Kevin Zraly’s American Wine Guide, and was Mid-Atlantic and Southern Editor for the Oxford Companion to the Wines of North America. He is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, the American Wine Society and the Circle of Wine Writers, and a Board member of Drink Local Wine.

Christopher McCririe was born and raised in Virginia, and is a big advocate of local wines. He is currently studying for his Wine and Spirit Education Trust Diploma under Master of Wine Jay Youmans at the Capitol Wine School. Chris is also a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Currently, he works at Calvert Woodley Wine and Spirits, the premier wine shop in Washington, DC.

David Metz started his wine career in 2007 when he worked as a consultant for Frederick Wildman & Sons in New Jersey. After moving to Washington D.C., David earned the position of sommelier at Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons Hotel located in Georgetown. A passion for instructing led to his position as a sommelier as he consistently teaches weekly wine classes for the hotel. David’s favorite wine subjects include Champagne, Italy, and Bordeaux.

Lindsey Parris ia a wine educator, business economist and retired AF colonel. As the CEO of a chemical company, Parris researched and worked with wineries on the problem of “corked” wines and general microbial contamination in wineries. Parris is finishing work on the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Diploma and has wine education certifications from the Society of Wine Educators, the French Wine Society, Burgundy, Provence, and Spain.

Winn Roberton always found himself enthralled by food, geography and foreign languages, so it’s no surprise that wine became his passion. Working in restaurants while attaining a music degree at Penn State, he found himself lost in maps of France, Italy and California and subsequently honed his service skills as a server and bartender in Las Vegas' mainstay restaurants such as Nobhill, Craftsteak, and Carnevino.

Marguerite Thomas is an award-winning photojournalist specializing in wine, food and travel. She is a columnist at Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine. For the past ten years she has been an annual contributor to Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. Her work regularly appears in scores of publications, including Decanter, Santé, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine & Spirits. She frequently serves as a judge in national and international wine competitions.

Neal Wavra is a certified member of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He is the recipient of the Commanderie de Bordeaux Wine Scholarship and the Kopf Foundation Wine Excellence Scholarship. Wavra and his wife currently operate the Ashby Inn & Restaurant.

Donald Winkler, Ph.D., is Editor of the International Wine Review. He has written and published about the wines of numerous regions ranging from California, Oregon, New York and Virginia to the historic appellations of Europe, the newer international actors like Argentina, Chile, and South Africa, and innovative producers in places as unusual as Japan and Jordan.