The Central Coast Wine Competition team has finalized the list of judges for the 2010 event.  The 15 member panel will be lead by Chief Judge Bob Foster and includes members of the wine industry, trade and media.  Mr. Foster is the Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine wine newsletter and has over 25 years of wine judging experience. “We have assembled a very experienced panel of judges. Collectively they have well over 100 years of wine judging experience,” noted Bob Foster, Chief Judge.  “I have been judging wine competitions for many years and have worked with many of these individuals.  They are top professionals in their fields.” The 2010 judges include: Tom Bertrand, West Steak & Seafood, Edmund Browning, Food & Beverage Manager The Island Hotel, Michael Cervin, Santa Barbara Magazine, Joy Cushing, Napa Rose Sommelier, Laurie Daniel, journalist, Barbara Ensurd, Appellation American, Kenneth Fugelsang, Department of Viticulture & Enology CSU Frenso, Joe Hart, Hart Winery, Jonathan Mitchell, The Palm Resturant, Stephens Moody, Turrentine Wine Brokerage, Gray Randolph, Certified Sommelier, Allan Stark, Maddalena Vineyard Brands, Mike Stepanovich, Bakersfield Magazine and David Stevens, international winemaking consultant. For a full biography and photograph for all our judges please visit CCWC Facebook page or our wine blog at centralcoastwinecompetition.wordpress.com.

A new component to this year’s competition is the introduction of apprentice/guest judges.  Each of our judging panels will have a vacant seat for these lucky additions to our team. “The guest judge program is a rare and unique opportunity”, stated Foster. “It allows a wine lover to taste alongside seasoned professionals, to hear the actual dialog as each wine is evaluated, to participate in the discussion, and to compare and contrast his or her evaluations with those of the judges.”  The CCWC team is currently accepting applications for one of these positions.  To apply simply go to either our Facebook page and click through to the posted survey or visit directly at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3YM52JQ. Deadline to enter is June 1, 2010.  Winners will be selected by the CCWC Team and must be available on Thursday, June 17 and be on site at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California.