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This event, held each March in the Napa Valley, was established in 2009 by the Rudd Foundation and SommFoundation. The Rudd family and the Rudd Foundation have been steadfast supporters of the sommelier community for decades. They believe in creating educational opportunities for wine professionals to expand knowledge and understanding. Each calendar year, the top scorers of the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Exam are named the Rudd Scholars for that year and attend the Rudd Round Table the following March. This is a unique educational program that provides students with an intensive and intimate learning environment as they study to become Master Sommeliers. To complete the Rudd Round Table, SommFoundation invites all eligible students to apply. All applicants are required to provide letters of recommendation. Our SommFoundation team selects the additional participants through a rigorous vetting process. Being selected for this event is a recognition of both significant accomplishment and remarkable potential.
History
Leslie Rudd
Leslie Rudd was the impetus behind this event.
Leslie’s journey into the food and beverage industry began when he joined his father’s alcoholic beverage wholesale distribution business in Wichita, Kansas. Due to his leadership, Standard Beverage Corporation grew to be the state’s largest alcoholic beverage wholesaler and represents most of the world’s premium wine, beer, and spirits brands.
Intent on furthering his experience, Leslie expanded into the specialty foods space successfully launching and investing in several national restaurants as well as adding the iconic Dean & DeLuca to his portfolio, which he owned until 2014. In 2005, Leslie desired to cast a new vision on the steakhouse concept and take inspiration from the famed L’Ami Louis of Paris in creating PRESS Restaurant, a modern steakhouse located in St. Helena, California. PRESS Restaurant features the most extensive list of Napa Valley wines in the world with vintages back to the 1950s. Leslie’s passion for bridging the gap between the past and present was further evident in the 2012 renovation of Oakville Grocery, which he purchased in 2007 to make sure that it would remain open as one of the oldest groceries in the country. Each of these ventures shared a commitment to excellence and appreciation of artisan products by blending the traditions of the past while instilling a modern twist. Before his passing in 2018, Leslie handed over the reins to his daughter Samantha.
Leslie’s wife, Susan, is responsible for the beautiful gardens on the Estate. She can be found digging in its soils with a radiant glow about her. Her smile and warmth are felt across the entire Estate.
Samantha Rudd
Leslie is survived by his daughter, Samantha Rudd.
Samantha grew up on Rudd Estate where, at age nine, she decided she would do whatever it takes to care for the land and fulfill a generational promise that she made to her father—that upon receiving the reins at Rudd, she would leave the Estate to the next generation better off than when she assumed leadership. At the time, she knew little of the hard work and twenty-year journey that would lead her to where she is today.
Samantha remembers the lessons instilled by her father through two decades of working side-by-side on the Estate. The core beliefs of stewardship earned success, and an uncompromising dedication to excellence was distilled into that generational promise that guides her today.
Samantha spent the last four years working outside of the family business learning from some of the best in the world. She most recently returned from an internship at Château Margaux.
Samantha returned to Rudd at the beginning of 2016, a homecoming she had been anticipating for as long as she can remember. She immediately began implementing her long-term vision, ranging from championing the Estate’s organic farming practices to fostering unlikely collaborations that seek inspiration beyond the world of fine wine.
SommFoundation thanks Durand and Sophienwald/Adelion for their contributions to this event.
Past Attendees
2024
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Rudd Round Table 2024 Napa (Mar 24–25, 2024)
Jienna Basaldu
Wrigley Mansion | Brooklyn, NY
Yannick Benjamin
The University Club/ Contento Restaurant/ Beaupierre Wines & Spirits NYC | New York City, NY
Katelyn Claunch
Antica Terra | Beaverton, OR
Matt Crawford
Rocket Farm Restaurants | Houston, TX
Elizabeth Dames
The Perlant | Marietta, GA
Dave Donalson
61 Osteria | Euless, TX
Jordan Hobro – Rudd Scholar
Spruce Restaurant | San Francisco, CA
Dajeong Lim – Rudd Scholar, Leslie Rudd Award
PDT Seoul | Seogu, South Korea
Nathan Prater
Neighborhood Vintner | SOMMInfluence LLC | Round Rock, TX
Jonathan Strokowski Ross
Restaurant la Tanière3 | Quebec City, Canada
Isabella Tenorio-Bucci – Rudd Scholar
RPM Restaurants | Chicago, IL
Hannah Williams
Blue Hill at Stone Barns | Dobbs Ferry, NY
2023
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Rudd Round Table 2023 Napa (Mar 19–20, 2023)
Brandon Anderson
Eleven Madison Park | Astoria, NY
Drea Boulanger
Jose Andres Group | Las Vegas, NV
Angela Demmel
Continuum Estate | Napa, CA
Ethan Gladner – Rudd Scholar
Shafer Vineyards | Napa, CA
Morgan Gray
Reeve + BloodRoot Wines | Santa Rosa, CA
Simon Kaufmann
Mina Group | Charleston, SC
Matthew Landry – Rudd Scholar, Leslie Rudd Award
Tannin Management Ltd | Vancouver, Canada
Paul Lee
Grill 23 & Bar | Revere, MA
Michael Markarian – Rudd Scholar
H2 Collective Restaurant Group | Silver Spring, MD
Christina Stanley
Oenotri | Napa, CA
Rick Stiles – Rudd Scholar
Grand Cru Selections | Napa, CA
Higor Valle
Fisher Island Club | Miami, FL
2022
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★ Master Sommelier
Rudd Round Table 2022 Napa (Mar 20–21, 2022)
Alex Mares – Rudd Scholar
Eleven Madison Park | New York, NY
Brandon Koenigsknecht – Rudd Scholar
WS New York | New York, NY
Skyler Ring – Rudd Scholar/Leslie Rudd Award
Mastro’s Steakhouse/Landry’s Inc | Houston, TX
Joon Baak
Commis | Oakland, CA
Cheron Cowan
Maialino Mare | Washington, DC
Jonathan Eichholz ★
The Modern | New York, NY
Christopher Rogers
Tavernetta, LLC | Denver, CO
Rachael Liggett-Draper
The Little Nell | Aspen, CO
Samuel Bortugno
Covington, LA
Aya Nomoto
Breakthru Beverage | Las Vegas, NV
Sophie Yoneoka
Sovereignty Wines | Colorado Springs, CO
Victoria O’Bryan
San Diego, CA
2021
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2020
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★ Master Sommelier
Rudd Round Table Napa, CA (Jan 26–28, 2020)
William Simons – Rudd Scholar
Albi | Baltimore, MD
Maddy Jimerson – Rudd Scholar ★
Cache Cache | Aspen, CO
Zachary Byers – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
Beckon | Denver, CO
Thoger Petry – Rudd Scholar
MillHouse Restaurant | Kihei, HI
Chris Dunaway
The Little Nell | Aspen, CO
Wesam Kawa
Cafe Monarch | Scottsdale, AZ
Sarah Zehner
Westward | Seattle, WA
Cassandra Felix
The Breakers | West Palm Beach, FL
Rebecca Flynn
Eleven Madison Park | Brooklyn, NY
Aaron Fry
Vintegrity | Kansas City, MO
Jose Maria Aguirre
Maum Group | Oakland, CA
Sarah Thomas
Le Bernardin/Kalamata’s Kitchen | Astoria, NY
2019
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★ Master Sommelier
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California (Jan 27–28, 2019)
Andreas Harl
Matsuhisa | Vail, CO
Beth Hickey
Heartwood Provisions | Seattle, WA
Donghyuk Shin
Benu | San Francisco, CA
Dustin Chabert – Rudd Scholar
Spiaggia | Chicago, IL
Erik Elliott ★
The Little Nell | Aspen, CO
Hugo Bensimon – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
Grill 23 | Boston, MA
Kassandra McPherson
Lazy Bear | San Francisco, CA
Luis Avalos
Pavilions Market | Costa Mesa, CA
Matt Whitney – Rudd Scholar
Eastern Standard | Boston, MA
Stacey Gibson
Park Avenue Fine Wines | Portland, OR
2018
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★ Master Sommelier
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California (Jan 21–22, 2018)
Jason Caballero
Bourbon Steak | Phoenix, AZ
Greg Van Wagner
Jimmy’s | Aspen, CO
Jeffrey Birkemeier
Pebble Beach Company | Salinas, CA
Bill Elsey
Pappas Bros. | Houston, TX
Tyler Alden ★
Heavy Restaurant Group | Seattle, WA
Chris Raftery
Gramercy Tavern | New York, NY
Petra Polakovicova
Epic Steak | San Francisco, CA
Femi Oyediran
Graft Wine Shop | Charleston, SC
Taylor Grant- Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
Scopa Italian Roots | Santa Monica, CA
Gregory Stokes – Rudd Scholar
Veritas | Columbus, OH
Alexander David Ring- Rudd Scholar
Lazy Bear | San Francisco, CA
2017
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California (Jan 22–23, 2017)
Justin Moore ★
Casa Tua | Aspen, CO
Brandon Kerne ★
Pappas Bros. | Houston, TX
Tim Parkhouse
The Pacific Club | Newport Beach, CA
Tahlia Bolden
Gather Kitchen & Bar | Seattle, WA
Kat Thomas
Hakkasan | Las Vegas, NV
Keith Fergel
Taylor’s Kitchen | Sacramento, CA
Peter Plaehn
The Hotel Landing | Minneapolis, MN
Jessica Waugh- Rudd Scholar
Southern Glazer”s | Las Vegas, NV
Christopher Ramelb – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal ★
Self-Employed | Honolulu, HI
Nicole Hakli- Rudd Scholar
Momofuku | New York, NY
2016
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★ Master Sommelier
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California
Andrea Morris
Nix | Brooklyn, NY
Csaba Oveges
The Little Nell | Aspen, CO
Jake Lewis- Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
Momofuku | New York, NY
Jason Percival- Rudd Scholar
Post 390 | Boston, MA
Joy Cushing
Louie’s Wine Dive | Nashville, TN
Justin Timsit
Martine’s Wines | Novato, CA
Laurie Sutton
Malibu Beach Inn | Santa Monica, CA
Martin Beally ★
Wild Ginger & the Triple Door | Seattle, WA
Wendy Shoemaker
Californios SF | San Francisco, CA
Will Predhomme
Predhomme Inc. | Toronto, Canada
Yvonne Cheung- Rudd Scholar
The Upper House | Hong Kong, China
2015
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California
Scott Ota – Rudd Scholar
High Street Wiine Co. | Austin, TX
Mia Van de Water – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal ★
Eleven Madison Park | New York, NY
Joo Lee – Rudd Scholar
Eleven Madison Park | New York, NY
Jeremy Reed
Ella Dining Room & Bar | Sacramento, CA
Stephen McDonald ★
Pappas Bros. | Houston, TX
Jerusha Frost
Chef’s Club | New York, NY
Nick Dadonna
Boston Urban Hospitality | Boston, MA
Noel Doty
Cadence | Walla Walla, WA
Serge Janic
Medovino Imports | Mississauga, Canada
Paul Coker
Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern | Dana Point, CA
2014
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California
Martin Sheehan-Stross – Rudd Scholar
Gary Danko | San Francisco, CA
Jeremiah Morehouse – Rudd Scholar (tie) ★
SPQR | San Francisco, CA
Jim Rollston – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal ★
Manresa Restaurant | San Francisco, CA
Jane Lopes – Rudd Scholar (tie)
Ristorate Morini | New York, NY
Ryan Stetins
Ritz-Carlton | San Francisco, CA
James Lechner
Bastille | Seattle, CA
Joon Lim
Vine Vault | Lawrenceville, GA
Christopher Gaither ★
Ungrafted | San Francisco, CA
Cappie Peete
Minero Restaurant | Charleston, SC
Jack Mason ★
Marea | New York, NY
2013
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California
Bobby Conroy
In Situ | New York, NY
June Rodil ★
McGuire Moorman | Austin, TX
Julie Dalton – Rudd Scholar ★
Four Seasons/Michael Mina | Baltimore, MD
Matt Bradford
Savannah Distributing Co. | Atlanta, GA
Kim Wood
Aria | Las Vegas, NV
Aaron Patrick ★
Bourbon Steak | San Francisco, CA
Robert Brzostowski
Bellagio | Las Vegas, NV
Jackson Rohrbaugh – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal ★
Canlis | Seattle, WA
David Keck – Rudd Scholar ★
Uchi Restaurants | Austin, TX
Jeffery Kellogg
Captiva Restaurant Group | Charlotte, NC
2012
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California
Justin Amick – Rudd Scholar
Concentrics Restaurants | Atlanta, GA
Angie An
Regal Wine Company | Moorestown, NJ
Eric Crane
Empire Distributors | Atlanta, GA
Derek Engles
MGM Grand | Las Vegas, NV
Justin Hall
Bourbon Steak | Miami, FL
Jason Hisaw
Pappas Bros. | Dallas, TX
Andrey Ivanov- Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal ★
Reeds American Table | St. Louis, MO
Max Kast ★
The Fearrington House | Pittsboro, NC
Kenny Koda
Rudd Winery | Napa, CA
Pascaline Lepeltier
Rouge Tomate | New York, NY
Josh Orr – Rudd Scholar ★
Vineagogo, LLC | Carlsbad, CA
Nico Synman
Bellagio | Las Vegas, NV
2011
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table Napa Valley, California
Stephen Clark
A & G Beverages | Fairhope, AL
Daniel Cobian – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
The Breakers | Palm Beach, FL
Desi Echavarrie ★
The French Laundry | Yountville, CA
Patrick Emerson
Maverick Southern Kitchens | Charleston, SC
Ted Glennon
Hotel del Coronado | San Diego, CA
David Kristiansen – Rudd Scholar
Bellagio | Las Vegas, NV
Roland Micu ★
La Toque | Napa, CA
Andrew Myers ★
CityZen | Washington, D.C
Joshua Nadel ★
Veritas | New York, NY
Emily Pickral Papach – Rudd Scholar ★
Kysela Pere et Fils, LTD | Winchester, VA
DLynn Proctor
Treasury Wine Estates | Napa, CA
2010
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table 2010 Napa (Mar 21–23, 2010)
Ian Cauble – Rudd Scholar ★
Ritz-Carlton | Orlando, FL
Michael Engelmann – Rudd Scholar ★
Gary Danko | San Francisco, CA
Eric Entrikin ★
Alexanders Steakhouse | San Francisco, CA
Rachael Lowe – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
Bouchon | Napa, CA
Margaux Pierog
Treasury Wine Estates | Dana Point, CA
Thomas Price ★
Jackson Family Fine Wines | Santa Rosa, CA
John Ragan ★
Union Square Hospitality Group | New York, NY
Inez Ribustello
Wine & Dining, Inc | Tarboro, NC
Sabato Sagaria ★
The Little Nell | Aspen, CO
2009
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★ Master Sommeliers
Rudd Round Table 2009 Napa (Mar 22–24, 2009)
Trey Christy
Bern’s Steak House | Tampa, FL
Nelson Daquip
Canlis | Seattle, WA
Jason Heller – Rudd Scholar ★
Redd Restaurant | Napa, CA
Laura Maniec
BR Guest Restaurants | New York, NY
Robert Ord – Rudd Scholar/Johnston Medal
Vinum Wine Importing | Seattle, WA
Jonathan Pullis ★
The Little Nell | Aspen, CO
Julie Schiavone
Quaintance Weaver | Greensboro, NC
Matt Stamp – Rudd Scholar
Compline | Napa, CA
Hirsto Zivovski
Jean Georges | New York, NY
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