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82 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 Boyd Morrison, Winemaker, MacMurray Estate Vineyards "Estate sourcing is especially important when it comes to growing Pinot Noir," Morrison says, "because we're able to hone flavor and character on a block-by-block basis." The Bay Area native walks vineyards throughout the year to observe the evo - lution of the vines, working closely with viticulturists to steward fruit to a successful harvest each vintage. "Pinot Noir really expresses where it's grown, better than many other grapes," he observes. Joseph Herzog, Family Co-Owner, Royal Wine Company/ Herzog Wine Cellars For over 50 years, Royal Wine Corp. has been owned and operated in the United States by the Herzog family, whose wine - making roots date back eight generations to 19th-century Czechoslovakia. Royal prides itself providing the finest wines, spirits and liqueurs from all over the world. Steve Peck, Red Wine Winemaker, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Born and raised in California, Steve Peck began cultivating his love of viticulture and winemaking as a teenager while traveling to vineyards and working alongside his uncle, a dedicated home winemaker. This early exposure to vineyards and winemaking inspired Peck to enroll at the University of California, Davis. In 2007, Peck was appointed winemaker for the full portfolio of J. Lohr red wines, including J. Lohr Estates, the J. Lohr Vineyard Series, J. Lohr Gesture and the J. Lohr Cuvee Series. Toshio Ueno MSS, CSW, FWS, Vice President & Executive Instructor, Sake School of America Toshio Ueno is the only person in the world to hold a Master of Saké, Master Saké Sommelier and WSET Saké Educator diploma. Born in Japan, where his family has grown the Japanese wine grape Koshu for generations, Ueno grew up helping the business from a young age. In 2002, Ueno joined Mutual Trading Company, where he is Manager of the Business Development Department. Check www.SommJournal.com for the most up-to-date list of panelists and presenters. Register at www.sommconusa.com. István Szepsy Jr., Chief Winemaker, St. Tamás Winery István Szepsy Jr. graduated as an enologist in 2004. He is the 18th- generation wine - maker of a family that has always made history: The first Aszú wine was produced by Lackó Máté Szepsy in the Middle Ages; the first vineyard- selected dry Furmint wine from Tokaj was produced by his father, István Szepsy Sr.; and in 2011, István Jr. began producing the first village-level dry Furmint, MÁD Furmint. As Chief Winemaker of the St. Tamás Winery, Szepsy Jr. creates wines that express the real values and individual character of the terroir from Tokaj—the world's first classified historic wine region—through the indigenous Furmint variety. Mád Furmint 2015 took home a Gold at this year's New York World Wine & Spirits Competition; it medaled Silver at the San Francisco International Wine Competition this year. PHOTO: ALEXANDER RUBIN Vittorio Marzotto, family member of importer Santa Margherita USA, will represent Kettmeir from Alto Adige and Lamole di Lamole from Tuscany. István Szepsy Jr. produces dry Furmint from Tokaj. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. TAMÁS WINERY PHOTO COURTESY OF MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS PHOTO COURTESY OF MACMURRAY ESTATE VINEYARDS Boyd Morrison brings years of Pinot Noir winegrowing expertise and his signature laser focus to the cellar at MacMurray Estate Vineyards, eliciting the unique flavors and characteristics inherent in each of their cool-climate vineyards. Steve Peck. Toshio Ueno. PHOTO: ALEXANDER RUBIN PHOTO COURTESY OF MUTUAL TRADING COMPANY Joseph Herzog is a family co-owner of important importer/sup- plier Royal Wine Company and their California- based premium winery, Herzog Wine Cellars.