Meet our judges

We ask our judges – all of them independent wine merchants – to approach each wine as if it was auditioning for a place on their shelves. They’re tasting blind, so on this occasion they can’t be influenced by labels. The wines arrive with black bags concealing the identity of what the judges are pouring.

Most of our judges conduct the tasting with their teams, and sometimes even trusted customers get involved. We give them guidance on how to score the wines as they go, so that we get a consistent approach from everyone and results can be accurately and fairly calculated.

22 Yards Wine Bar & Merchants, York

Based in the heart of York city centre, Adrian Stancer and his team have a range of over 150 wines available for on and off sales

Alteus Wines, Crowborough, East Sussex

Established in 2019, Alteus Wines is owned and run by Alastair and Teresa Wighton, who prefer to visit vineyards by bike wherever possible.

Appellation Wines, Edinburgh

Ashton McCobb started Appellation Wines in 2009. He judged alongside his colleague Erica Sinclair in this year’s competition.

Brigitte Bordeaux, Nottingham

Since opening in 2018, Kat Stead’s shop and bar has become the go-to place for residents of Sherwood and beyond.

Derventio Wines, Malton, North Yorkshire

Derventio is the retail arm of importer and wholesaler Tate-Smith, established in 1888. Paul Tate-Smith represents the fifth generation to run the company.

Diogenes the Dog, south London

Since launching in 2018, Sunny Hodge has added Aspen & Meursault to his business, a wine bar and shop specialising in natural and low-intervention wines.

Doddington Hall Farm, Lincolnshire

Sarah Hall’s award-winning farm shop at Doddington Hall & Gardens added an extensive wine range in 2018, a welcome addition to the bakery, butchery and deli.

Ellis Wharton Wines, Cornwall

The warehouse in Indian Queens supplies restaurants and hotels in the south west as well as retail customers. Charles Wharton and Jim Bass were our tasters.

Flagship Wines, St Albans

Prior to starting her own company in 2004, Julia Jenkins was a buyer for various businesses, and marketing manager for Sainsbury’s wine department.

Flora Fine Wines, west London

The Moreno name is well known in the UK wine trade. Abbi Moreno and her son Dylan are continuing the family business from their shop in Maida Vale.

Grape & Grain, Morpeth, Northumbria

Since taking ownership in 2022, Mark Stephenson has grown the business, starting with a strategic relocation in the town.

Grape Minds, Oxfordshire

Graeme Woodward and Michael Jelley established Grape Minds in 2018. They now have two shops, in Oxford and Wallingford, and a wine bar.

HarperWells, Norwich

In addition to the retail arm of the business, Dean Harper and Sam Howard import specialist parcels and offer cellar building and management services.