This year, we have invited to the jury several renowned experts who have not yet participated in the VinAgora competition. Their outlook, influence and professional experience will bring new perspectives to the competition.
Meet the new faces of VinAgora:
Mariam Khomasuridze - Georgia
Professor of Viticulture and Enology at the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the Georgian Technical University, a recognized authority in viticulture and enology, with a PhD in winemaking.
Mariam Khomasuridze's influence in the world of wine extends beyond the classroom: as an experienced wine judge, she has used her discerning palate at prestigious events such as the Berlin Wine Trophy, Emozioni dal Mondo, Concorso Enologico Internazionale and Eurasia Wine & Spirit Competition.
With her passion for the art and science of winemaking, in addition to her practical experience, she has made a significant contribution to the development of the wine sector in Georgia, both scientifically and in terms of her expertise. She is the author of several textbooks, including "Wine Faults and Flaws" and "Technology of Vodka", as well as nearly 20 scientific articles.
Mariam's impact on the wine world is not limited to Georgia, but has also had a global resonance through her participation in international competitions. Her dedication to excellence in both education and wine judging makes her a recognized expert in the wine industry.
Christian Anselmann - Germany
The history of the Anselmann winery, stretching back over generations, speaks volumes about family cohesion, the protection of winemaking traditions and their value-creating renewal. The family cellar is planted on the hillsides of Germany's famous and beautiful Palatinate countryside. Thanks to the unique terroir, the area is ideally suited to produce wines of internationally high quality.
Christian, who studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Geisenheim and gained experience in Alto Adige (Italy), joined the family winery in 2020 and will soon take over the management. The same year, the winery was awarded a prize by the German Ministry of Agriculture for the best sparkling wine collection.
Bruno Motter - Brazil
Every year, the Brazilian Wine Association (ABE) honours one of its winemakers with the title "Winemaker of the Year". This award is given to a professional who has demonstrated excellence both in the sector and technology.
In 2022, the then 33 years old Bruno Motter was chosen for this title. He is the young winemaker at Vinícola Don Guerino in Alto Feliz, Serra Gaúcha. The winery produces around 500,000 litres of wine a year in Brazil.
His relationship with wine goes back to his childhood, when he spent school holidays with his father in the vineyards of the family winery. He followed the winemaking process from the planting of the first vineyard to the construction of their new winery.
After studying at the University of Mendoza Juan Agustin Maza, he applied his newly acquired knowledge to the family estate.
Bence Jávorka - Slovakia
The young winemaker graduated from the Faculty of Horticulture at the Mendel University in Brno with a degree in Viticulture and Wine Engineering. He is currently producing excellent wines as winemaker at Bóna Winery in southern Slovakia. The special terroir and unique soil structure of the winery in the Highlands allow for high quality grape growing, complemented by the beautiful views of the Danube and Gerecse.
Being eco-farmers, they try to have as little impact on the ecosystem as possible. The immune system of the vineyards is strengthened by bio-protection and the natural cycle of the "system" is supported without interruption.
Bence makes his wines according to two main strands. The 'fresh' line is made up of fresh, easy-to-understand, popular wines for immediate consumption. On the other side are wines that require more attention and deeper perception, known as 'low intervention'. They are made with the minimum of intervention to preserve and present the vineyard, the terroir and the vintage to the public. The quality of the wines has been recognised by numerous awards.
Dávid Motyovszki - Hungary
He completed his university studies in parallel as a viticulturist-winemaker and food engineer. During and after his student years, he broadened his horizons and gained valuable professional experience abroad in New Zealand, California and Italy. He has worked as a winemaker at the Sauska winery in Villány and at the Etyek Winery in Etyek, and is currently representing OenoBioTech, helping local winemakers to achieve their goals.
Ádám Juhász - Hungary
He has a degree in viticultural engineering. He completed his internship at Yealands Estate, a well-known winery in New Zealand, and his Master's degree abroad through the Vinifera Euromaster at Montpellier SupAgro, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, Hochschule Geisenheim University and Stellenbosch University.
With all this international experience behind him, he returned home in 2015 and started working at the Juhász Brothers family winery. As the head of one of the leading wineries in the Eger wine region, he has achieved significant results. He has already won several national and international awards for his winery and is the creator of the well-known fresh, fruity "Juhász rosé", which has become the market leader in its category in Hungary.
