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2026 Judges
Our judging panels comprise many of Canada’s leading wine writers, journalists, sommeliers, buyers and industry professionals sprinkled with a handful of international wine personalities with strong judging resumés. Each year we also seek out young, emerging talent in the industry to be part of the judging process and further their education in Canadian wine and the art of judging. The blend of experience and enthusiasm, brought by judges from many regions across the country, ensures a comprehensive view of the Canadian wine world for that moment in time.
You can follow the 2026 NWAC and our judges’ tweets from start to finish on Instagram using the hashtag #NWAC26.
Our Judging Process
The judging is overseen by co-chairs Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason, experienced Canadian wine journalists and judges, who co-founded the Awards in 2001 while working jointly at Wine Access magazine. In 2013, Wine Access Magazine ceased publication, and the Awards were reconstituted as the National Wine Awards of Canada under the ownership of WineAlign but run by the same team since its inception.They have held that the Awards are the most objective way to inform both consumers and the industry of Canadian wine’s yearly progress. All competition wines are blind-tasted and judged in categories according to varietal or style, not by region, using the same 100-point system used at WineAlign. Approximately one percent of the total entries boasting the highest scores are awarded the highly coveted Platinum medals.
Co-Chairs David Lawrason and Anthony Gismondi
The 2026 Co-Chairs and Co-Founders:
Anthony Gismondi
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Co-Chair
BC Food & Wine Radio Show, Vancouver Sun, Gismondi on Wine
Instagram: @anthony.gismondi
(bio)
David Lawrason
Toronto, Ontario
Co-Chair
WineAlign, Lawrason’s Guide to Canada’s Best Wines
Instagram: @davidlawrason
(bio)
The 2026 Judges (in alphabetical order):
Jeremy Bonia
St John’s, Newfoundland
Sommelier, Restaurant/Hospitality Consultant, Co-Owner “The Grape Juice Club”
Instagram: @jeremybonia
(bio)
Michelle Bouffard, DipWSET,,
Montreal, Quebec
Tasting Climate Change, author, wine educator, consultant. Write at Le Devoir, Extra-Brut & Quench & on TV show Curieux Bégin
Instagram: @michellebouffard
(bio)
HJ Cha
Penticton, British Columbia
Lithica Wine Marketing, Gismondi on Wine
(bio)
Sara d’Amato
Toronto, Ontario
WineAlign, Fine Vintage Ltd (instructor), Wine Thieves
Instagram: @saradamatokilley
(bio)
Janet Dorozynski, PhD, DipWSET
Ottawa, Ontario
WineAlign, Luxe Magazine Ottawa, Diplomat & International, Decanter, Oxford Companion to Wine
Instagram: @WineTrackMind, Threads @WineTrackMind
(bio)
Michael Godel
Toronto, Ontario
WineAlign, godello.ca, Canadian Ambassador to Chianti Classico, National Wine Advisor to Canada’s Great Kitchen Party
Instagram: @mgodello
(bio)
Evan Goldstein, MS
San Francisco, California
Wine Educator, Author (Five Star Service: Your Guide to Hospitality Excellence, Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food, Wines of South America: The Essential Guide)
Instagram: @evangoldsteinms
(bio)
Dr. Jamie Goode, Ph.D
London, England
United Kingdom
Author (The Science of Wine, Authentic Wine, I Taste Red, Flawless, Regenerative Viticulture, The New Viticulture), speaker and lecturer, co-chair of the International Wine Challenge, WineAnorak
Instagram: @drjamiegoode
(bio)
Élyse Lambert, MS
Montreal, Quebec
Ritz-Carlton Toronto, Director of client care Iron Gate, Radio Canada, consultant, speaker, educator
Instagram: @elyselambert
(bio)
Junxing (James) Li
Toronto, Ontario
Liberty Entertainment Group, DaNico, Assistant General Manager & Sommelier
Instagram: @herosol1
(bio)
Elsa Macdonald, MW
Toronto, Ontario
Freelance Educator and Consultant, Head of WSET Diploma, George Brown Polytechnic
Instagram: @elsamacdonaldmw
(bio)
Sharon McLean
Victoria, British Columbia
Cru Consultancy
Instagram: @urban_vines1
(bio)
Geoffrey Moss, MW
Penticton, British Columbia
Lithica Wine Marketing, Gismondi on Wine, WineAnorak, Purple Pages, Palate Press
Instagram: @geoffreybmoss
(bio)
Brent Muller
Victoria, British Columbia
Vessel Liquor
(bio)
Rhys Pender, MW
Kelowna, British Columbia
Wine Plus+, Little Farm Winery
Instagram: @rhyspendermw
(bio)
Cokie Ponikvar
Toronto, Ontario
Instagram: @CokiesWorldOfWine
(bio)
Brad Royale
Calgary, Alberta
Concorde Entertainment Group, Kitten Swish
Instagram: @bradroyale
(bio)
John Szabo, MS
Toronto, Ontario
WineAlign, Wine Thieves, Author (Volcanic Wines, Salt, Grit and Power), JohnSzabo.com
Instagram: @johnszaboms
(bio)
Jill Troyer
Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
WSET3, Author: The Winemaker’s Gamble (2025), Wine journalist
Instagram: @troyerjill
(bio)
Christopher Waters
Hamilton, Ontario
Globe and Mail, CCOVI Brock University, Global Fine Wine Challenge
Instagram: @Waters_Wine
(bio)
Apprentice Judges:
Questions or comments? Contact us: [email protected]