Based about an hour from Portland, Oregon, the McMinnville Wine & Food Classic will hold its annual wine contest on January 8, 2022.   In its 29th year, the competition is open to all Oregon wineries and has recently announced a list of expert wine judges from across the industry.

Image: https://macclassic.org/

“The McMinnville Wine Competition supporting cast of judges have continued to build comradery and have us helped build credibility as one of the premier competitions in the state of Oregon”, says Rolland Toevs, wine competition organizer in a press release. “This will be our second year in our new venue – Abbey Road Farm event center in Carlton – who has been a great supporter and partner of this charity fundraiser for St. James Elementary School. This larger venue has allowed us to open the competition to all Oregon wineries on a first-come, first serve basis.”

The deadline to register wines for the competition is December 10, 2021.   See the event’s website for more details.

The distinguished panel of judges will include:

• Deborah Parker Wong, Wine Writer, WSET Educator, Slow Wine U.S.A. Editor
• James Melendez, James the Wine Guy. Wine Reviewer and Videographer
• Dr. Liz Thach, WM, Master of Wine & Book Author, Wine Educator and Consultant
• Christopher Sawyer, Somm, Judge, Journalist, Public Speaker and Educator
• Michael Alberty, Senior wine editor, The Oregonian Newspapers and Oregon Wine Press
• Cyndi Gierok, Wine Buyer Fred Meyer Stores
• Eric Degerman, GreatNorthwestWine.com, The Seattle Times, international wine competition judge
• Fred Swan, Wine writer, judge, speaker, educator at the San Francisco Wine School. Founder WWET
• Ellen Landis, Journalist, Certified Somm, Wine Specialist, Wine Educator and International Wine Judge
• Ken Robertson, Senior editor Wine Press Northwest and contributor Tri City Herald newspapers
• Patrick McElligott, Chemeketa tasting instructor, and sales and marketing manager for Sineann Winery
• Hoke Harden, veteran wine consultant, wine writer, educator and wine critic
• Carl Giavanti, Carl Giavanti Consulting. Winery publicist and media relations