• Enter Now

George Lobjanidze

George Lobjanidze - Estate Director at Burgess Cellars

Born in the Republic of Georgia, Lobjanidze comes from a long family history of winemaking. After immigrating to the United States, he and his family settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Georgia State University. While attending GSU, he worked as a sommelier and bartender at Restaurant Eugene, igniting his passion for hospitality and fine wines. After completing his Bachelor’s, he accepted an offer to become an assistant sommelier at Bacchus Management Group’s Spruce in San Francisco – where he honed his skills and learned how to manage a Michelin Star restaurant and Wine Spectator Grand Award program. Following Spruce, he went on to be a Sommelier at The Village Pub, before opening Selby’s in Atherton. During his tenure with Bacchus Management, George became a partner at Vine & Rare, an old and rare wine concierge firm, where he developed a palate for assessing the classic wines of the world.

Meet the other judges

Christian Shaum

Lead Sommelier at Bazaar Meat & Bar Mar Chicago & CMSA Advanced Sommelier, Chicago

Marsha Wright

CSW, WSET, CSWS, Corporate Lead Sommelier at Greek Brands, DineAmic Hospitality, Chicago

Kat Hawkins

Wine Director at Miru, Tre Dita, and the St. Regis Bar, St. Regis, Chicago