Jury
It is only possible to make world-class wines if one is ready to accept feedback from a diverse international jury comprising of members with a wide tasting experience.
Each year, the organizers of VinAgora International Wine Competition pay special attention to satisfy this prerequisite. In compliance with international standards, at least half of the judges come from outside of Hungary, from close to 15 countries. Most of them are winemakers, but there are several professional writers, sommeliers, and traders as well.
Wines are evaluated in committees of 5-7 persons, under the presidency of the most experienced judge. General rules of the committees' work are:
- at most half of the members are allowed to be from the organizer country
- complex electronic evaluation system, based on the OIV's 100-point evaluation sheet but also augmenting it
- final score of wines is the arithmetic mean of members' scores with the exclusion of at most two extreme outliers
- winemaker jury members cannot evaluate their own wines in case they have applied to the competition
- wine specialties (e.g. sparkling wines, botrytised wines, etc.) are scored by specialized committees
- every judge uses three tasting glasses, but upon request, every wine may be served in a new, clean glass
- neutral bites and water to clean the palate are constantly available
A fully objective wine evaluation does not exist but the VinAgora team makes maximum effort to minimize subjective elements during tasting.
Judges have only access to the following information about samples:
- store ID and rank in tasting series (do not identify the wine to the judge)
- category (e.g. still, dry, fortified, etc.)
- vintage
Moreover, the following conditions are strictly regulated:
- maximum number of samples tasted in a day (45 dry, or 35 sweet wines)
- length of tasting series (15 at most, followed by a break)
- tasting order within series
- lighting of tasting room (natural, or similar white light)
- air temperature of tasting room
- temperature of wine samples
List of jury members
AKLI Norbert Tamás
Romania

Balla Géza Pincészet - Sales Representative
Laboratory technician at Géza Balla Winery. WSET intermediate wine knowledge course.
ALEXANDROVA Alexandra
Russia

Independent expert - dipWSET
Wine consultant and sommelier in Moscow. Diploma WSET holder, Austrian Weinakademiker and current student in the Institute of Masters of Wine. From 2015 she is Italian Wine Ambassador in Russia and judge at Vinitaly 5StarWines international wine competition.
ANSELMANN Ralf
Germany

Wiengut Anselmann - Owner, winemaker
Born into a winemaker family in 1965, he has been surrounded by the world of viticulture and wine since birth. He graduated from Stuttgart University with a master's degree in agriculture and viticulture. In 2010, the German Agricultural Association was awarded the title of Wine Maker of the Year. The 125-hectare Anselmann estate is located in the southern part of the Rhineland-Palatinate, near the village of Edesheim. In 2010, the wine estate was awarded the 'Federal Prize of Honor' by the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
BALÍK Josef
Czech Republic

Mendel University in Brno - Head of department
Leader of wine courses for the National oenology centre and the Wine academy in the Czech Republic. Training and selection of wine tasters in the Czech Republic according to the standard O.I.V. .Taster of several national and international wine competitions in the Czech Republic and abroad (Vino Ljubljana, VinAgora, Master Tasting AWC Vienna, Oenoforum, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, IceWine du Monde).
BÁLINT Tivadar
Croatia

Szabó Pince - Oenologist
He graduated from Corvinus University of Budapest in 2012 as a horticultural engineer, majoring in viticulture. He spent his semester at the Research Institute of Viticulture and Enology of the University of Pécs. Since 2013, he has been a winemaker and winemaker at the Szabó family winery in Croatia. As a winemaker, his goal is to make quality wines that express the uniqueness of the South Baranya production area.
BALLA Géza
Roumania

SC Wine Princess SRL - Owner
He graduated in 1984 from the Viticulture Department of the University of Horticulture, Cluj-Napoca. Since then he has been an engineer, then chief winemaker and CEO of the State Farm and Vineyard of Peach. In 1999 he established his own viticulture and wine business Wine Princess Kft. Since 2008 he has been the associate professor of the Department of Viticulture and Wine at the Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Marosvásárhely. He has been a member of the Hungarian Wine Academy since 2004 and has been selected as the first Hungarian producer to be a member of the Pannon Bormíves Guild. In 2018 he was awarded the "Wine Producer of the Year in Hungary" by the Hungarian Wine Academy.
BARANYAI Péter
Hungary

Garamvári Szőlőbirtok - Chief winemaker, executive
I run the Balatonlelle winery of the Garamvár Vineyard, where we make wines and sparkling base wines from the produce of 85 hectares of vineyards. Every year is another challenge, as well as another opportunity to try to show as much as possible in our wines and champagnes about the characteristics of the grape variety, place of production and vintage.
BARÁTOSSY Gábor
Hungary

NÉBIH - Head of Department
Deputy Head of the Directorate of Wine and Alcoholic Beverages at NÉBIH. He has been engaged in organoleptic wine analysis for 20 years, and is a qualified wine jugde. He is the secretary of the National Wine Expert Committee since 2013.
MARIN Berovic
Slovenia

Scientist
Member of National Wine Expert Panell 1996 -2012 and member of International Wine Competition Juries
BORBÉLY Tamás
Hungary

Borbély Családi Pincészet - Winemaker, owner
A second generation winemaker, he was raised to love and respect grapes and wine. With their wines, they have achieved great success at various national and international wine competitions. He is a member of the Vinum Vulcanum Badacsony Wine Knighthood and their winery is a member of the Badacsony Wine Association and the Tourist Association. Between 2012 and 2019 he was among the 5 nominees for the Wine Producer of the Year. Since 2013 he has been the chairman of the Badacsony Wine Region Mountain Community Council and a delegate of the wine region to the National Council of the Mountain Community. 2018 Farmer of the Year Award Young Farmer. From 2019, member of the National Wine Expert Committee.
BUJDOSÓ Ferenc Sámuel
Hungary

Winemaker
I am a member of the third generation of Bujdosó Winery. As a young "wing-spreading" winemaker, I am trying to gain experience and shape my taste during foreign harvests for the time being.
CELLENG András
Slovakia

MOVINO, spol. s r.o.
He is currently the President of the Association of Slovak Winegrowers and Winemakers, as well as the Production Director and Consultant of MOVINO Veľký Krtíš. The company farms 240 hectares of vineyards and sells about 2.5 million liters of wine. He is also a member of the Wine Qualification Committee of the Slovak Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
COLLINS Christine
France

Mondial des Vins Blancs Strasbourg - Konzultáns
Works at MONDIAL DES VINS BLANCS Strasbourg France, at the Congress Centre. She is also Judge-Expert at numerous international wine competitions under the Patronage of the OIV and VINOFED. Specialist oeno-events in Alsace. Member of the Association of Sommeliers in Alsace.
CSÁVOSSY György
Romania

Diploma in wine tasting
I have worked in the wine sector for almost two decades (champagne production using the traditional method), from a laboratory manager position to a plant engineer position. I have been a graduate, certified wine taster since 1985 (certificate of the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Food). I regularly judge at the “Transylvanian Vineyard” wine competition, at the Carpathian Basin Wine Competition, at the MUNDUS wine competition, and at many local and county wine competitions in Romania.
CZAKO Peter
Slovakia

TAJNA s.r.o - Production manager
He teaches at the Slovak University of Agriculture. He is also the head winemaker of the TAJNA s.r.o winery and makes his own wine. He is a regular member of the jury at both international and Slovak wine competitions.
DA ROS Béatrice
France

ALESIA CONSULT EXPERIENCE OENOLOGY - Director general
Béatrice Da Ros is a French oenologist, a former President of the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits competitions (VINOFED). Former Chief executive officer of “L’Union des Oenologues de France” (French Oenologists Union), who participated in the creation of the international wine competitions organized by “EURL Œnologues de France” (Vinalies Internationales, Mondial du Rosé), while acting as a consultant providing tailored Oenology Experience, is still a member of the International Federation of Wine and Spirit Journalist and Writers (FIJEV) and an expert for the two OIV think tanks on Consumer Right & Information and Vitinicultural, training & education.
de FRUTOS Estela
Uruguay

INAVI - Consultant
Winemaker Agronomist, Uruguayan Wine Institute Advisor, Winemaker Consultant
DERDA Tamás
Hungary

Faktor Kft. Fritz Borház - Cellar manager, oenologist
He graduated as a viticultural engineer in Kecskemét in 2004. He has been working in the Szekszárd wine region since 2007 as a winery manager. He has been strengthening the Fritz Borház team in Szekszárd since 2014. The biggest professional success was that in 2019, based on the results of domestic and international wine competitions, one of the most successful wineries in the Pannonian wine region became the Fritz Wine House, and in the same year it was chosen by the Szekszárd Winemakers' Guild.
DOMIÁN Emese
Magyarország

Swiss Medical - CFO
DiplWset, international wine academician, member of the Hungarian Wine Academy, board member of the Association of International Wine Academics, economist, economic director in civilian life. Passionate wine taster, judge atnational and international competitions.
Dr.KOSÁRKA József
Hungary

MBK - charge d'affaires
He has been contributing to several journals and websites in Hungary and Latin America on various aspects of the wine world for more than two decades. He is Co-President of the Circle of Hungarian Wine Writers and a member of the FIJEV. He was guest professor for two semesters at the Institute of Wine and Pisco in Lima (2005-2006). He has been serving as wine judge of more than forty different international wine competitions held in countries of four continents. He is member of the Hungarian Wine Academy and the Board of the Hungarian Sommelier Association as well as honorary member of the Mexican Wine Academy and the Peruvian Sommelier Association.
DURCOVA Edita
Slovakia

VINALMA s.r.o. - Director
Oenologist, wine consultant, wine merchant. Partner and commercial director of VINALMA, s.r.o., focused on import and distribution of fine wines and promotion and export of Slovakian wines Ambassador and jury member of many prestigious national and international wine competitions (e.g. Vinalies Internationales Paris, Mondial du Rosé Cannes, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Les Citadelles du Vin Bordeaux), panel president (Bacchus IWC Madrid, Premios Zarcillo IWC Burgos, Mondial des Pinots Sierre, Les Grands Concours des Vins du Monde Strasbourg, Sélections des Vins Canada Québec, Prague Wine Trophy, The Winemaker of the Year of the Czech Republic, Vino y Mujer and Premios Zarzillo Spain ) Director & chief oenologist of the Vino SAV (Wine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences wine selection) Director & Ambassador of the Danube Wine Challenge IWC
Dúzsi Tamás Dávid
Hungary

Dúzsi Tamás és Családja Pincészete - Oenologist
He studied viticulture and oenology in Budapest, Geisenheim, Montpellier, Bordeaux and Lisbon. He has been a member of the National Wine Expert Committee since 2013. In addition, he strengthens the presidency of the Hungarian Foreign Economic Association. He has been judging at several international wine competitions since 2013.
EMBER Sándor
Hungary

DJK Consulting - Manager
Viticulturist, winemaker engineer. Founder of the Balaton Uplands Pántlika winery, owner and chief winemaker until 1996. He is the founder and Chief Justice of the Order of the Seven Wine Judges. Wine teacher, wine expert.
FADEEV Leonid
Russia

Cote Rocheuse - Executive director
He is a wine expert who strove to gain wine education in Europe and continues to work hard on this. He is currently Executive Director of Cote Rocheuse in the south of Russia and is steadfastly developing the company. He has judged in various prestigious international wine competitions, including the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), Vinitaly’s 5StarWines, Vinagora and the Russian Wines Competition, which he himself founded and organised for the first time in 2018 to showcase the quality of Russian wines. In November 2019, he was one of the winners of the prestigious, new international WSET/IWSC “Future 50” award, which recognises the next generation of top wine, spirit and sake professionals.
FERNANDEZ ESCUDERO José Antonio
Spain

Estación Enológica de Castilla y León - Director
Technical manager of the Enological Station of Castilla y León. Professor at the Department of Analytical Chemistry of the Superior School of Agricultural Engineering of Palencia belonging to the University of Valladolid. Director of the International Wine Tasting Premios Zarcillo. Member of the Group of Experts on Methods of Analysis in the O.I.V. Member of the Interministerial Committee for the Review of Wine and Derivatives Analysis Methods.
FÖRHÉNCI HORVÁTH Gyula
Hungary

Transfiguratio Cella Vinaria - Owner
He cultivates a family estate of more than three centuries in the Old Town of Zala Wine Region. Cca. He makes 10,000 bottles of wine, tasting them at a table for 12 people in the spirit of wine culture.
FRITTMANN János
Hungary

Frittmann Testvérek Kft. - Managing director, winemaker
In 1982, as a private individual, he started viticulture and winemaking in the family vineyard and cellar. In 1989, he began building his own stores and wine shops with partners (now called franchises) who sold only their wines. In 1994, they began selling their bottled wines. In 2003, he was first nominated for the title of “Wine Producer of the Year” Became Wine Producer of the Year in 2007 In 2015, they won the “Winery of the Year” award. Since 2011 he has been the vice-president of the Hungarian Wine Academy Since 2012, he has been the vice-president of the National Council of Mountain Villages.
FRITTMANN Péter
Hungary

Frittmann Borászat. - project Manager
4th generation grapes from the Great Plain come from a wine-producing family. He works as a winemaker in their family winery. He has gained professional experience in grape and winemaking in several European countries. Since 2010, JuniBor, as an active member of the Association of Young Hungarian Winemakers, and from 2019 as the president of the association, has been trying to address the members of the young generation in the spirit of wine culture. Since 2013, he has been participating in professional reviews as a member of the National Wine Judging Committee (OBB). From 2019, he will represent the grape and wine sector as a member of the Sector Skills Councils (ÁKT).
GÁL Attila
Hungary

Tringa Kft. - Oenologist
In his family business, Tringa Wine Cellar, he has been involved in viticulture and winemaking for about 15 years, and in the meantime he graduated as a viticultural engineer at Károly Eszterházy University to raise his professional knowledge. He believes in the power of autochthonous varieties, but we must not forget the worldly varieties either. It strives for continuous improvement in the vineyard, cellar and other areas of life as well.
GÁL József
Hungary

Takler Borbirtok - Estate manager
He has been working as a winemaker for 25 years, during which time he worked as a winemaker in Mátraalja, Villány and Szekszárd. He started his career at the Szőlőskert Szövetkezet under the guidance of Benjamin Bárdos in Nagyréde. In Szekszárd he worked for 9 years at the then Liszt Winery. In Villány he became the Deputy General Manager and later the General Manager of Csányi Winery. Currently he works again at Takler Wine Estate in Szekszárd. As a winemaker, he is looking for quality and harmony in wines, just like in any other area of life.
GÁLNÉ DIGNISZ Éva
Hungary

Gál Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet - Manager, winemaker
Graduated from the University of Horticulture and Food as a Certified Food Engineer - Winemaker. She was first head of the wine laboratory at the university's winery, then head of the company. After that, she worked for a family company founded by her husband, which since 2004 has been expanding its winery as a Gál Szőlőbirtok és Pincészet. In addition to the vineyards of Szigetcsép, since 2011, grapes have been grown in the Balaton Uplands, Lesencefalu. Since 2002 she has been the Chairman of the Kunság Wine Region Sziget Community, and since 2004 she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Kunság Wine Region Winery Committee. In 2013 she received the Wine Producer of the Year award. In 2012 he was elected to the Hungarian Wine Academy, and in 2019 he was elected to the National Wine Expert Committee.
GARAI János
Slovakia

Stavbyt - Director
He lives in Nagymegyer, graduated from the Faculty of Food Industry of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava as a chemical engineer - majoring in food biochemistry and analysis. Utilizing his qualifications, he took part in the juries of numerous domestic and foreign wine competitions and exhibitions as a judge or president. As a winemaker, he produces wine in his own vineyards for family, guests and friends.
GAUDIO Roberto
Italy

CERVIM - President
He is responsible of the "Mondial des Vins Extrêmes" International Wine Competition. Taster in different international contests as: Berliner Wine Trophy, IWCB di Bucharest, Mondial des Pinots, Bacchus, Vins du Valais, Portugal Wine Trophy, International Wine City Challenge and Mondial des Bruxelles.
GEÖNCZEÖL Attila
Slovakia

Granium s.r.o. - winemaker and marketing consultant
Wine and wine marketing consultant, wine journalist. He runs his own estate in Garamkövesd in the Highlands. Secretary-General of the Association of Hungarian Winemakers Abroad, President of the Slovakian Association of Hungarian Winemakers, responsible for the development of the wine regions of the Carpathian Basin. He is an invited wine judge and writer of many international wine competitions, and is a hobbyist in his profession.
GERE Zsolt
Hungary

Gere Tamás & Zsolt - Oenologist
Through his father, Tamás Gere, he strengthens the “team” of second-generation Hungarian winemakers, and their family winery is an integral part of Villány's image. The first self-bottled wines were launched in 1988, which have now become nationally known. Their winery currently farms on 35 hectares, and their plantations are located in the best areas of one of the most famous Hungarian wine regions, Villány, Nagyharsány and Siklós. One of the most respected young wine producers in Hungary never leans back. He is still looking for ways to move forward after many awards and recognitions.
GINCSAI Tamás
Hungary

Holdvölgy Borászat - Chief winemaker
He has been leading the Moon Valley Winery for seven years as a leading winemaker. During this time, they have achieved tremendous success every year in international competitions and in the expansion of the world's top restaurants. Their aim is to continuously improve the quality of the wines and to refine the style. He is convinced that this kind of precise and persistent professional work will put the Tokaj wine region back in its place on the world map of wine.
GÜNZER Tamás
Hungary

Günzer Tamás Pincészete - Managing Director
Agricultural engineer, winemaker. He has been engaged in viticulture and winemaking since 1991. He owns a 70-hectare family winery. In 2012 he was a special prize winner of the Association of European Wine and Gastronomic Associations (CEUCO), in 2015 he was the Agricultural Man of the Year in the Processor-Food category. In 2019, he was awarded the Winery of the Year.
GURUCHARRI JAQUE Fernando Cayetano
Spain

UNION ESPAÑOLA DE CATADORES - President
President of the Spanish Union of Tasters, which since 1985 has been dedicated to promoting the culture and knowledge of wine and food through its organoleptic qualities, and organizer, among others, of the National Competition for Young Wines (Premios Bacos) , International Wine Competition Vinos Bacchus developed under the patronage of the OIV and VINOFED, itinerant competition "Albariños al Mundo" and Best of Spain Wine Challenge competition organized each year in Ireland.
HAUPT Wolfgang
Germany

VINOFED - Vice-President
Son of a winegrower, enologist. Since 1991 public servant of the federal ministry of food and agriculture. Since 2006 activity within the Berlin Wine Trophy, Portugal Wine Trophy, Asia Wine Trophy. Since 2016 Vice-President of Vinofed.
HRONSKY Vladimír
Slovakia

EnoVia s.r.o. - Owner, oenologist
He is an acknowledged enologist, advisor, lecturer and author who published five books Slovenské vína (Slovak Wines) in 2001, Sprievodca vínami Slovenska (Slovak Wine Guide) in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020. He also serves as a member of expert juries at Concours Mondial, International Wine Fair, Vinitaly, International Wine Challenge, Vinagora, Grand Prix Vinex, and others. In 2000, he was a co-founder of the Association of Sommeliers of the Slovak Republic, where he worked as the director of education for 11 years. He currently works as product marketing and wine production advisor for several Slovak wineries and is executive director of EnoVia. Thanks to his abundant experience with wine gastronomy and enology, he also serves as the executive sommelier of the Medusa Group, the largest network of restaurants in Central Europe, and is involved in the building of a professional training academy for sommeliers. In 2013, he cooperated in the production of a 22-part TV series entitled Vínne cesty Slovenska (Wine Routes of Slovakia) for Slovak Radio and Television. He even brings his enological enthusiasm to the making of his own wines.
Ifj.TAKLER Ferenc
Hungary

Takler Borbirtok - Winemaker
Since the turn of the millennium, he has been strengthening the winery with full activity, expertise and dedication. Of his wines, he is also the most proud of the 2008 Syrah Reserve, which was also chosen as the "Vinagora Champion" award-winning wine. He would love to make a great wine once in Argentina (Mendoza). He likes the blends in his opinion, this puts the point on the "i". "The hardest thing is to make and carry the wines of the more modest vintage with the same enthusiasm and dedication from vintage to bottling."
KISS István
Hungary

Fitomark Kft. - Manager
He is a winemaker of a family winery. After university he received a PhD in wine. He is trying to use his knowledge gained during his years of practice in developing a family winery.
KLEIN Miklós
Hungary

Eszterbauer Kft. - Chief winemaker
He was born and raised in Szekszárd. He graduated from the PTE TTK viticulture department in 2011, but already in 2010, next to the school, he started working at the Eszterbauer Winery, and he has been working here ever since. He is now the chief winemaker of the winery. From 2020, the management of viticulture and the entire production process will be part of it. Of course, the team is not one-man, as without reliable, skillful colleagues, the winery would not work well.
KLENAR Iztok
Slovenia

Posestvo Klenar - Owner
Main enologist in different cellars. Now owner Posestvo Klenar and consultant in Kutjevo d.d. and Dakovo winery. Slovenian representive in UIOE.
KOMORÓCZKI Anna
Hungary

Independent expert - dipWSET
She has been working in the profession of wines since 2008, when she started working at a wholesaler in Budapest, mainly for foreign wines. In addition to her work, she attended WSET trainings and, years later, taught at several WSET schools in Hungary. She received her diploma from WSET and the Austrian Weinakademiker in 2013. In 2010. In 2010 she completed the Sherry Educator training in Jerez as the fifth Hungarian. From 2016, she continued to deal with foreign wineries and wines at Bortársaság until January 2020.
LACZKÓ Gábor
Hungary

Törley Pezsgőpincészet - Chief winemaker
He has been working at Törley Sparkling Winery since 2000, and since 2016 as Chief Technology Officer.
LAMPORT József
Hungary

Thummerer Pince - Chief winemaker
He began his studies in winemaking in 1992, to the delight of his winemaker mother. From 1996 to 2001 he obtained a MSc degree from the then University of Horticulture and Food. From 2001 he started his career at Hungarovin, now called Törley Sparkling Wine Ltd., as a red wine technologist. Since 2004 he has been working as the chief winemaker at Thummerer Cellar. The past 27 years have confirmed that you have chosen a good career and will continue to encourage learning, openness and quality wine.
LARENTIS André
Brasil

Associação Brasileira de Enologia - Director
Winemaker and post graduated in Viticulture. Director of Brazilian Association of Winemakers and Winemaker at Vinhos Larentis Ltda.
LÉGLI Ottó
Hungary

Légli Szőlőbirtok - Owner
After graduating from the university, from 1981 he spent his internship at the Balatonboglár Agricultural Combine. He started building his own estate in the Balatonboglár wine region in 1989, and the winery and wines have received numerous awards since then. He has been the founder and board member of the South Balaton Wine Route Association since 2000. In 2010, he was also awarded the title of Wine Producer of the Year and Winemaker of Winemakers. In 2013 he became the president of the Balatonboglár Mountain Village, in 2014 he was elected an honorary citizen of Balatonboglár. He has been the President of HNT since 2016. He is a member of the Pannon Wine Guild.
LŐRINCZ György
Hungary

St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok - Winemaker
He graduated in 2013 from the Corvinus University of Budapest as a winemaker-winemaker. He worked in Tokaj, Austria and New Zealand on the Szepsy, Sepp Moser and Saint Clair estates. Since 2013 he has been a winemaker at the family-run St.Andrea Winery.
MAAMARI Elie
Lebanon

Chateau Ksara - Oenologist, export director
Marketing and Export Director at Chateau Ksara, oldest and largest winery in Lebanon with 38% of the Lebanese production. Member of the UVL (Union Vinicole du Liban) technical Committee. Oenology Instructor at La Sagesse University Beirut (run by Lausanne University) Oenology Instructor at Notre Dame University.
MAFFEI Daniele
Switzerland

Azienda agraria cantonale di mezzana - Director
MAJER Miroslav
Czech Republic

DAVINUS s.r.o. - CEO
CEO and owner of many awards-winning company DAVINUS. international wine judge at dozens of prestigious foreign and domestic wine competitions and chairman of the international juries of various competitions in Europe and the USA: Les Grands Concours Strasbourg (2016, 2018, 2019), Finger Lakes International Wine Competition USA (2018), Bacchus Madrid (2019) and competitions under OIV patronage in Israel, France, Spain, Canada, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Switzerland. Chairman of the committee of the Czech Republic’s national wine competition, The Wine Salon of the Czech Republic) since 2012.
MÉSZÁROS Péter
Hungary

Mészáros Borház
Member of the National Wine Judging Committee, member of the Hungarian Wine Academy
MURISIER Francois
France

VINOFED - President
Dr.Ing. Agronomist Director of viticulture-oenology research 1993-2008 Former President Vinea Former OIV Vice-President President Vinofed
NÁDVORNÍKOVÁ Šárka
Czech Republic

Národní vinařské centrum - Project manager
She works in The National Wine Centre, which is a non-profit organization, whose objective is the promotion and common support of Moravian and Bohemian wines and viticulture in the Czech Republic and abroad. She is a project manager and her job is especially organizing training and lectures about wine for experts and the public. She also participates in the project of wine tourism in the Czech Republic. The GRAND PRIX VINEX international wine competition also belongs to her main projects. She passed the sensory exams according to European regulations and takes part in tasting juries, last year she was a juror of CMB in Switzerland.
NYITRAINÉ DR. SÁRDY Diána
Hungary

SZIE Faculty of Horticulture - Dean
NYÚLNÉ Dr PÜHRA Beáta
Hungary

Nyakas Pince - Wine manager
She has been working for Nyakashegy Kft since 2000 (now Nyakas Pince Zrt.), Now she is a wine manager. In 2018, she graduated from the SZIE ÉTK with the degree of Pálinka Master Engineer. This year, she was elected a full member of the Hungarian Wine Academy and was appointed Associate Professor at Szent István University.
OSORIO Lisete
Portugal

Wine Consulting, Osorio Wines; JGR Cork - General Manager
PADURARU Catalin
Roumania

VINARIUM INTERNATIONAL WINE CONTEST BUCHAREST - President
President of VINARIUM International Wine Contest Bucharest. PhD., Wine Scientist. FIJEV Member, author, editor. TV show producer.
PALUMBO Leonardo
Italy

Cantine Torrevento - Technical director
Winemaker National Delegate of the Italian Union of Oenologists at UIOE. Member of Italian VIN Academy.
PAYON Cyril
France

OENOLOGUE DE FRANCE - rector
President of enologist of France during 9 years. General secretary of the INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF enologist. General Manager of Ormarine's Group. President of the tasting Group at the Institution National des Appellations d'Origine.
POSEVITZ Ilona
Hungary

Szent Gaál Castle and Wine House - Estate Manager
She is an oenologist- winemaker, working in the Szekszárd wine region for twelve years. Until 2018, she was winery manager at Schieber Winery. She is currently the head of viticulture and winemaking at Szentgaál Castle and Wine House. The versatility of her profession inspires her every day, and the human presence is especially important to her, which can be felt in every moment. The work of a community personifies nature in the wines that emerge, an ongoing collaboration that engages man.
PRANTNER Gergely
Hungary

Prantner Pince - Oenologist
Several generations of his family have been involved in viticulture and winemaking. He studied at the Faculty of Technology of the University of Pécs as a viticultural winemaker. He has been working as a winemaker at our family cellar since 2014.
PRICART Jean-Philippe
France

CDV - President
Oenologist who makes wines and distils Cognac in the Cognac area. Member of CDV for 20 years where he has been the technical manager and now the president.
RAPPAY József
Hungary

Schieber Pincészet - Chief winemaker
After my university years, I toured the world, during which I learned a new vision and world trends at foreign wineries. My goal to product meaningful wines that are good-natured, fruity, special, and beautifully carry varietal characteristics, carry the character and uniqueness of the Szekszárd Wine Region.
ROMSICS László
Hungary

Csányi Pincészet - CEO
CEO of Csányi Winery since 2016. Professional lecturer and consultant for VinCe Magazine. Deputy Chairman of the National Committee of Wine Experts. He is a lecturer at CEWI.
ROSTA Krisztina
Hungary

Szeleshát Szőlőbirtok - Oenologist
She graduated from Corvinus University of Budapest in 2013 as a viticultural engineer. After university, she started working in the Villány wine region, and then gained experience in Austria, New Zealand and France. Since 2016, she has been a winemaker at the Szeleshát Vineyard.
SÁRKÁNY Péter
Hungary

VINISEERA Ltd. - Professional engineer
Among the many innovative and applied research results of the winery, it considers the results of organoleptic criticism to be the most useful information for consumers and the training of future wine lovers. He has been a long-time member of the VinAgora Wine Competition.
SEBESTYÉN Csilla
Hungary

Sebestyén Pince
she became acquainted with the world of international wines in Scotland, where she spent six years as a sommelier at Andrew Fairlie's 2 Michelin Star restaurant. Currently, she is assisting with the operation of their winery, working with her brother on blending their wines, shaping their style and learning about our production areas. She is an active member of the Szekszárd Wine Marketing Workshop.
SERLI Csilla
Romania

Nachbil Winery - Oenologist
She studied viticulture and oenology in Budapest. Her love of the profession can be traced back to several generations in her family, breaking with tradition in that she is the first woman. She is the vice-president of the SZATMÁR COUNTY. She has been participating in wine competitions as a judge since 2002.
SMYTH Robert
United Kingdom

Freelance - Wine writer / Wine Educator
He is a Budapest-based wine journalist, writer and communicator. He is the author of Hungarian Wine: A Tasting Trip to the New Old World (Blue Guides, 2015). He has been covering wine for more than 15 years and writes on Hungarian wine for the Budapest Business Journal (BBJ), and is deputy editor of The Circle of Wine Writer's Circular. He has also written for Wine Pleasures, Wine Paths, Winesofa.eu, VinCE Magazin and Wine Connoisseur (US). Editing work includes Tokaj Guide by Gergely Ripka, Cuvée Magazine, Wines of Hungary by David Copp, and he contributed to the same author's Tokaj: a companion for the bibulous traveller. He holds the WSET Diploma and Advanced certificates from London's Wine and Spirit Education Trust. He is also a wine guide for Taste Hungary on wine tours in Hungary and Austria.
SZABÓ Dániel
Hungary

Consultant
Certified engineer-winemaker.1964, working in the wine industry at Tokaj-Hegyalja, in all fields of wine technology in different positions. The chief winemaker-engineer at the Tokaj Trading House was his last official position.
SZEKRETÁR János
Hungary

Szeleshát Borászat - Manager
SZENTPÉTERI Attila
Hungary

Szentpéteri Borpince - Oenologist
He graduated in 2010 from the Corvinus University of Budepest, Faculty of Food Science, as a winemaker. He then spent a harvest in Germany on the Rhine region to gain professional experience. As a member of the 3rd generation of the Szentpéteri Family Wine Cellar, in addition to maintaining traditions, he considers it important to apply innovative solutions in the Kunság Wine Region.
TAKLER András
Hungary

Takler Wine Estate - Managing Director
He has been involved in the family farm since childhood. He is currently responsible for marketing and public relations at Takler Wine Estate, and is vice president of the Hungarian Wine Academy and vice president of the Szekszárd Wine Region Council for the success of Hungarian wine.
TASCHNER Kurt
Hungary

Taschner Bor- és Pezsgőház - Owner, manager
He is an economist, a winemaker-engineer and has been leading his winery since 1997. It is known primarily for its white and rosé wines. He was the first to make bottle-fermented and aged champagne in Sopron. He is a regular member of the Hungarian Wine Academy. Chairman of the Sopron Wine Road Association.
TOLSON Sue
England

WineSofa - Managing Editor
Freelance wine writer, translator, editor, judge and educator as well as Managing Editor of WineSofa. WSET diploma holder, Weinakademiker, Vinitaly Italian Wine Expert and currently Master of Wine Student. Focussed on Hungary and Central Europe and Italy. Regular judge at international wine competitions such as International Wine Challenge and Vinitaly 5StarWines. Member of the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers.
TOUMA Joe-Assaad
Lebanon

Chateau St Thomas - Owner & enologist
Owner & enologist at Chateau St Thomas, co-owner & master distiller in Arak Touma distillery located both in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. He is board member in the National Institute of Vine & Wine in Lebanon. He is also a lecturer in "Wine tasting techniques" & "Sensory analysis" in St Joseph University in Lebanon (ESIAM - USJ) and also a member in the Union of Enologist of France.
TZITZI Maria
Greece

LABORATORY OF ANALYSIS - enologist, chemist
Graduated from the chemistry department of the University of Athens, having specialized in enology and environmental chemistry. She runs her own laboratory in the centre of Athens where she provides services as an enology advisor and a chemist. International wine judge. She is member of the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers (FIJEV). As author, has published the books : “Enology’s Principles-The Art Of Sommelier”, Historical wine novel ( awarded: OIV 2015), “Wine treasure of Santorini”, “Bizarre wines of the world”, and “The faces of Greek wine” monograph on the faces of Greek wine.
UGARTE Pablo
Chíle

Catad’Or - President, CEO
He is president and CEO of Catad’Or, Mr. Ugarte has a diploma in wines from the Catholic University of Chile and a recognized expert and international advisor in wine marketing. He currently advises the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture. Jury in international competitions as Vinalies Paris, Citadelle du Vin, Bordeaux, SMV Canada, Quebec, among others. Co-author of the Latinamerican Wine Guide with Alistair Cooper MW.
URBÁN Péter
Hungary

Bodri Pincészet - Chief winemaker
Chief Winemaker, Head of Viticulture. Péter has been the chief winemaker of Bodri Winery for two years, but he has been a member of the team and family for a long time, as he is the husband of István's daughter, Orsi. He is also at home in the Villány and Szekszárd wine regions, as he grew up in Nagyharsány at the foot of the Kopár vineyard and visited several wineries in the two wine regions as a winemaker and consultant. Neither New Zealand, France, Turkey, California or South Africa are foreign to him. He tries to adopt his experience gathered there into the Hungarian environment. Together with excellent colleagues, he brings together and directs the production process from the grape to the bottle.
VANCSIK Ivett
Hungary

VinCE Magazine - Editor-in-Chief
She entered the world of wines in the field of strategic marketing and communication, graduating from the Weinakademie in Rust in 2015 after his WSET training in Hungary. She first worked for Vinoport and Borászportál online portals, as well as the editor-in-chief of Winelovers 100-year-old wine magazine, from the end of 2018 as a professional leader in the VinCE team, and from 2020 as the editor-in-chief of the magazine. In 2016-2018, she also taught courses at the Wine College. She regularly reviews domestic and foreign items; The Wine of the Parliament (2017, 2018), the wine selection of the Ministry of the Environment (2018), the Wine of Semmelweis University (2019), as well as the Top 100 - The 100 Best Hungarian Wines (2016, 2017) and the Winelovers 100 - The 100 Best Hungarian participated wine (2018) jury. As an international wine academician and wine expert, she considers it important to continuously expand her knowledge and experience, to promote open and honest communication within the wine sector, and to provide authentic information and education to consumers.
VARGA István
Ukraine

Varga Családi Szőlészet - Borászat - Owner
He was born in Transcarpathia and attended primary and secondary school. He then graduated from the Corvinus University of Budapest in 2010 with a degree in Horticultural Engineering. He is currently studying viticulture at Szent István University. He currently works in his own winery, which he started as a family business with his father 20 years ago. With his wines made in their winery, he has already participated in many exhibitions and wine competitions in Hungary and abroad with very good results.
VESZTERGOMBI Csaba
Hungary

Vesztergombi Pince - winemaker, owner
Member of the Hungarian Wine Academy Member of the Pannon Wine Guild Member of the the National Wine Expert Committee
ZARUBA Florian
Germany

Kristinus Borbirtok - CEO
Building up and managing an international operating winery estate with own vineyard company and hotel with restaurant and event location. Creating Biodynamic wines on 65 hectare. Farmer and Winemaker.
ZILAI János
Hungary

Legal expert of VinAgora
As a lawyer, he is a member and legal representative of several wine professional organizations, including the Hungarian Wine Academy. As a philosopher, in addition to several studies, he is the author of the books "Wine and Myth" and "God on the Panther - The Experience of Wine and Intoxication", the first of which also won an OIV award.
ZUFFEREY Emeline
Switzerland

VINEA Technical director
As technical director, she is incharge of all the enologists parts of their wine competitions: Mondial du Merlot et assemblages, Mondial des Pinots, Grand Prix du Vin Suisse, and she is also involved in searching wine judges and communication before, during and after the competition.