Judge Bios | Former Judge Bios | Annual Judges' Dinner

The 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Official Judges Dinner host is DeLoach Vineyards of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California.

DeLoach Vineyards focuses on small-lot winemaking, giving exceptional care and attention to their Russian River Valley, O.F.S. and Vineyard Designate wines. Their passion is Pinot Noir - the noble variety of Burgundy that demands a delicate, labor-intensive process to showcase the exceptional terroir and complexity of the Russian River Valley and beyond. They have the diligence required to produce truly original, terroir-driven Pinot Noir. In keeping with their Burgundian Heritage, they use French open-top wood fermentors for all their Russian River Valley, O.F.S, and Vineyard Designate Pinot Noirs, as well as their old-vine Zinfandel. They also practice hand punch-downs, known as pigeage -- another Burgundian winemaking tradition.

As dedicated to their wines, they are equally passionate about the long-term health and vitality of our terroir, so they have a particular focus on biodynamic, organic and sustainable winemaking.

Follow us on Twitter or Facebook the week of January 8th through 11th for updates on judging photos, quotes and comments, as they critique thousands of wines from throughout the country. Click on the past judges dinners and enjoy the festive dining ambiance at previous host wineries such as Trione Vineyard & Winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate, and more.

(click images to enlarge)

• Also see photos of the 2013 SFCWC Judges Dining with the Frasers.

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Official Judges Dinner Winery Hosts:

2012: The Hess Collection
Host: The Hess Collection

2011: Clos du Bois Winery
Host: Clos du Bois Winery

2010: Trione Vineyards and Winery
Host: The Trione Family

2009: Rodney Strong Vineyards
Host: Tom Klein, Proprietor

2008: Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate
Hosts: Robert Carroll, General Manager & Ciara Meaney, Senior Marketing Director

2007: Brown-Forman Wines
Held at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards

2006: Peju Winery, Rutherford
Hosts: Tony, Herta, and Lisa Peju

2005: Kendall Jackson Wine Estates, Santa Rosa
Hosts: Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke

2004: Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville
Hosts: Robert and Margrit Mondavi

2003: Gallo of Sonoma, Healdsburg
Host: Gina Gallo

2002: Korbel Champagne Cellars, Geyserville
Host: Chris Wills

2001: Beringer Wine Estates, Asti
Host: Tom Peterson