AN AMERICAN IN CHAMPAGNE
AN AMERICAN IN CHAMPAGNE From my seat’s view as a competitor in the World Blind Tasting Competition,…
usa wine tasting team
SUPPORT THE FIRST ALL WOMAN WINE TASTING TEAM!!
Believe in Yourself
9th PLACE
- FIRST All Woman Team
- Oct. 13th Championships
Meet the
USA Wine Tasting Team
The goal of the USA Wine Tasting Team is to expose diverse groups to wine tasting and wine tasting competitions, providing support through resources, knowledge, mentorship, and inclusive camaraderie. We are a
no-judgment group who welcome all levels of wine knowledge to our tasting seminars and competitions. We focus on including women, minorities, and LGBTQ people into the competitive circle.
La Revue du Vin de France!
The competition is Blind Wine Tasting, sponsored by the French wine magazine, La Revue du Vin de France. Twelve unmarked wines are served to all the teams; they respond with the grape varieties, the country of origin, the region of origin, the producer, and the vintage in only ten minutes per wine.
Total Funding Raising Goal!
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Get to Know Us!
Kristen Shubert
Captain & Board President
French Wine Scholar & Spanish Wine Scholar certified with Highest Honors, and WSETIII certified with Merit. Current United States Champion Wine Taster, competing at the international level in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 with third place in the world in 2016 at the La Revue du Vin De France Magazine International Wine Tasting Competition. She was the first woman to compete for Team USA in 2016. She is currently crafting wine for her own label and is a freelance journalist for wine industry publications, SommJournal and Winemaker Magazine. She also volunteers as the Vice President of Cellarmasters of Los Angeles amateur winemaking group, a 501-C-3 non-profit. Grenache and Petite Sirah have been silver medal-winners at the OC Fair and the 48th Annual Amateur Wine Makers Competition in California. She is a graduate of UNLV with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, and a Culinary Certificate from Johnson County Community College Culinary Sciences. She put her Certified Sommelier skills to use at her wine Bar, Vintura in Ventura, CA, from 2016 through 2019, where she created the trademarked wine game, Wine Wars. Follow her at www.Somsisters.com
Paige Post Bindel
Team member 2024
With over 20 years of Intense Blind Tasting Experience and Training, consistently passing the Blind Tasing Portion of the CMS Advanced Exam 4 straight times. World Traveled Career Sommelier, Wine Professional, Educator, Wine Writer and Moderator.
Possessing a Vast Working Knowledge and Educated Palate of the World Wine Regions. Tasting Access through my Sommelier Position at the Antinori Sponsored Peppoli Restaurant, Pebble Beach CA. Vast Experience competing in Wine Competitions for Over 20 years.
Experienced Sommelier – Pebble Beach Co. 21 years, Proprietor – SommLovesChef, Sommelier Chair/Moderator- American Wine Society-Monterey Chapter, Wine Writer – MonarchWines.com, Wine Reviewer/ Writer – SommCru.com, Wine Reviewer/ Writer – DabbleInn.com
Accreditations Certified Sommelier – CMS Certified Sherry Wine Specialist – CSWS Currently Studying for
WSG – Champagne Master.
Irna Ponomarenko
Irina Ponomarenko moved to California to pursue graduate work in political science but was soon seduced by the world of wine. She has achieved a Silver Pin Certified Sommelier (AIS/WSA) and
WSET Diploma Certifications, and for several years worked as a wine course developer and educator with the North American Sommelier Association. She is currently working at the California-based
Sommelier Company, putting on wine and spirits events across North America.
– CSW
– Silver-Pin Certified Sommelier (WSA)
– DipWSET
– Cognac Educator (BNIC)
– Certified Sherry Educator
– Languedoc Sommelier Challenge — winner 2019
– Sud de France Sommelier Competition — 2nd place 2019
Lisa Redwine
Team member 2024
Lisa Redwine brings a whole new level of food and wine knowledge to the San Diego community. Lisa passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ advanced Exam in 2010 and is pursuing her Master Sommelier certification. She is one of four women in San Diego to hold Advanced Sommelier accreditation.
Her latest adventure brings her experience full circle. She is joining the Burtech Family Vineyard Winery as the General Manger and Wine Director. She will curate unique wine events, build brand recognition, focus on food and wine pairing events, educate, and expand her horizons in the realm of the winemaking process. This family owned winery produces world class wines, has a heart of hospitality, and has a long
term innovative vison.
She brings with her multiple food and beverage certifications, including: Advanced Sommelier from Court of Master Sommeliers, Certified Specialist of Wine from Society of Wine Educators, Certified Wine Professional and an AOS Degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America.
Lisa is a leader in the wine industry and in her hometown of San Diego, she has trained hundreds of individuals to become better beverage professionals. In 2006, she began teaching "Exploring Wine" in San Diego State University’s Business of Wine Program. She has expanded her role at SDSU as she serves as an Advisor and teaches multiple wine classes each year. She has been involved for more than a decade with the San Diego Wine and Food Festival and serves as an advisor and Head Lead for SommCon USA. She is a wine judge for the San Diego International Wine Competition, Sommelier Challenge, Toast of the Coast and Lum Eisenman San Diego County Wine Competition. In 2011, after seeing a need for educational opportunities for women wine professionals she created the nonprofit organization, Women’s Wine Alliance. She currently serves as the organization’s President and leads seminars for its members.
Katy Long
Team member 2024
Katy Long is a multifaceted wine industry professional who thrives on connecting people, culture, and travel, through the lens of wine. Ms. Long has held key positions in marketing, brand advocacy, and sales management to enhance brand visibility and foster international partnerships through strategic collaboration across disciplines. Additionally, Ms. Long is committed to community service, demonstrated through her tenure on the Board of Directors for the Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Ms. Long has worked in the wine industry for nearly two decades with experience in production, sales, marketing, communications, and education, including at Vintage Wine Estates, Cain Vineyard and Winery, Far Niente Winery, Nickel and Nickel Winery, Meadowood Napa Valley and The Bounty Hunter Rare Wine and Spirits. Ms. Long earned an AOS from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and earned a BS from New York University, and earned DipWSET, CSS, and CSW certifications. Ms. Long is currently a Master of Wine Student.
Irina Ponomarenko
Team member 2023
Irina Ponomarenko moved to California to pursue graduate work in political science but was soon seduced by the world of wine. She has achieved a Silver Pin Certified Sommelier (AIS/WSA) and
WSET Diploma Certifications, and for several years worked as a wine course developer and educator with the North American Sommelier Association. She is currently working at the California-based
Sommelier Company, putting on wine and spirits events across North America.
– CSW
– Silver-Pin Certified Sommelier (WSA)
– DipWSET
– Cognac Educator (BNIC)
– Certified Sherry Educator
– Languedoc Sommelier Challenge — winner 2019
– Sud de France Sommelier Competition — 2nd place 2019
Stacie Hunt
Board Member 2024
Stacie is a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier, AIS/WSA, Dame de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and Co-founder, SPLASH Productions, producers of Wine, Cuisine & Art events and exhibitions, videos, and documentaries. She is a producer/host of live streaming shows for wineries, regions, and brands and producer of Wine Spectator magazine documentary. An Emmy® and Belding® Award winning TV journalist; the wine/food contributor to award-winning SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel & Forbes magazines and other publications. Additionally, she is the wine reporter for NPR; an international wine judge; a taster for Wine & Spirits Magazine; and author of Zinfandel 101: A Beginners Guide. Stacie serves as Vice President of the National Association of Wine Retailers and is an adjunct professor at Cal Poly, USC, and UCLA.
Specializations: Italian, Latin American wines, grapes, and regions. The sound of a cork being pulled, or a screw top gracefully cracked, causes her to grin out loud.
Follow here: www.SplashPROS.com
Stacie Hunt
Board Member 2024
Stacie is a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier, AIS/WSA, Dame de la Chaine des Rotisseurs and Co-founder, SPLASH Productions, producers of Wine, Cuisine & Art events and exhibitions, videos, and documentaries. She is a producer/host of live streaming shows for wineries, regions, and brands and producer of Wine Spectator magazine documentary. An Emmy® and Belding® Award winning TV journalist; the wine/food contributor to award-winning SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel & Forbes magazines and other publications. Additionally, she is the wine reporter for NPR; an international wine judge; a taster for Wine & Spirits Magazine; and author of Zinfandel 101: A Beginners Guide. Stacie serves as Vice President of the National Association of Wine Retailers and is an adjunct professor at Cal Poly, USC, and UCLA.
Specializations: Italian, Latin American wines, grapes, and regions. The sound of a cork being pulled, or a screw top gracefully cracked, causes her to grin out loud.
Follow here: www.SplashPROS.com
Annette Solomon
Board Member 2024
Annette’s comprehensive knowledge of wine and the wine industry is a result of her all-encompassing, first hand experience in every aspect of wine production from viticulture through bottle sales. After completing her Certificate in Enology and Viticulture from Oregon’s Northwest Viticulture Center in 2004, she was selected to work as an understudy to Mark Vlossak of the world-renowned St. Innocent’s Winery. Subsequently, she worked as a lab technician for one of the Willamette Valley’s largest production wineries, worked harvest for several smaller, boutique wineries and even produced her own wine. She further developed her global wine knowledge and gustatory skills through course work and subsequent Certification as a Sommelier by the International Sommelier Guild, WSET Diploma certification (candidate 2023) and UC Davis Advanced Tasting Seminar Credentialing.
In 2006, when the Statesman Journal, a Gannett Corporation publication, introduced “The Vinofiles,” a wine blog, they asked Annette to be one of their original writers; later inviting her to publish her own thrice-a-week wine column, in addition to a monthly winery profile and numerous ad-hoc articles for their holiday supplements. Her contributions were a fixture in the paper for 6 years. She is continuing to publish by contributing to The International Food and Wine Writers Association (IFWTWA) and her own wine blog. Annette gained direct sales experience at several wine retail establishments, including service as a Sales Representative for Young’s Market and working as a BevMo! Wine Specialist. She leverages her Masters of Business Administration from Westminster College and experience as a Senior Pricing Analyst for United Health Care in her current role as Sales Analyst for Riboli Family Wines where she monitors and projects sales for the National Sales team. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of both the wine and business arena with consumers as well as wine makers.
Annette Solomon
Board Member 2024
Annette’s comprehensive knowledge of wine and the wine industry is a result of her all-encompassing, first hand experience in every aspect of wine production from viticulture through bottle sales. After completing her Certificate in Enology and Viticulture from Oregon’s Northwest Viticulture Center in 2004, she was selected to work as an understudy to Mark Vlossak of the world-renowned St. Innocent’s Winery. Subsequently, she worked as a lab technician for one of the Willamette Valley’s largest production wineries, worked harvest for several smaller, boutique wineries and even produced her own wine. She further developed her global wine knowledge and gustatory skills through course work and subsequent Certification as a Sommelier by the International Sommelier Guild, WSET Diploma certification (candidate 2023) and UC Davis Advanced Tasting Seminar Credentialing.
In 2006, when the Statesman Journal, a Gannett Corporation publication, introduced “The Vinofiles,” a wine blog, they asked Annette to be one of their original writers; later inviting her to publish her own thrice-a-week wine column, in addition to a monthly winery profile and numerous ad-hoc articles for their holiday supplements. Her contributions were a fixture in the paper for 6 years. She is continuing to publish by contributing to The International Food and Wine Writers Association (IFWTWA) and her own wine blog. Annette gained direct sales experience at several wine retail establishments, including service as a Sales Representative for Young’s Market and working as a BevMo! Wine Specialist. She leverages her Masters of Business Administration from Westminster College and experience as a Senior Pricing Analyst for United Health Care in her current role as Sales Analyst for Riboli Family Wines where she monitors and projects sales for the National Sales team. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of both the wine and business arena with consumers as well as wine makers.
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