The Level of Expertise (LOE) program is the way the Club formally recognizes the developing winemaking skills of its members.  Club members are encouraged, but are not required, to participate in this program. 

This program is open to dues-paying members of the Club.

• A wine may only be used once to meet any of the requirements and as such is then disqualified from all future evaluations for LOE levels. 
  
  
• All wines will be judged as mature. 
  

           

• Each level must be completed in sequence. 
  

           

• All of the wine scorings or ribbons in each level must take place after the achievement of the previous level.

          

• The wines must be pre-registered with the LOE Steward.

The entry form to submit a wine for the LOE program can be found here.

The most recent list of Level of Expertise achievements for current members can be found here.

If you are submitting a wine for levels 1 to 3 (Novice, Amateur or Winemaker), fill out the top half of the form, and submit the wine with the form to the LoE Steward (Pete Meulepas).   If you are submitting the form for levels 4 or 5 (Cellarmaster or Enologist Extraordinaire), list the ribbons / medals won with the dates, and names of awarding organizations, and identify club programs presented, contributions to the club or club offices held, as outlined in the requirements for the desired level, and submit the form the the LoE Steward.

For more information, or to arrange to submit a wine for judging under the LOE Program, contact Pete Meulepas  at peter@ban-card.com 

The levels: 

Novice: Has made a wine judged pleasant by the Club members at large. 

Procedure:  Limited to five individuals who have registered with the LOE Steward in advance.  The registration form must be completed and given to LOE Steward with the submitted bottle. LOE Steward presents the wine and pours a glass for each Club member who then votes.  The majority vote of those present determines if the wine is acceptable.  The registration form will be retained by the LOE Steward.

Amateur: Has made a wine that shall be evaluated by a panel of at least four Board members.  The wine must score 11 points (averaged) or more on the Purple Foot Wine Club Wine Judging Sheet. 

Procedure:  The registration form must be completed and given to LOE Steward with the submitted bottle. The LOE Steward shall not be a judge and will protect the anonymity of the winemaker.  The wine will be evaluated at a board meeting, scores will be averaged, and the judging sheets will be returned to the winemaker. The registration form will be retained by the LOE Steward.

Winemaker: Has two wines awarded 14 points (averaged) or more on our 20 point scale by both the Club members at large and at least 4 Board members. 

Procedure:  Select a wine that is more than 18 months old.  The registration form must be completed and given to LOE Steward with each submitted bottle.  Both wines need not be submitted at the same time, but must be accepted during a three-year period.  (Example: If your first wine is accepted in March, 2010, you have until March, 2013 to get the second one passed).  The wine will be evaluated at a Board or General Membership meeting, scores will be averaged and the judging sheets will be returned to the winemaker.  The registration form will be retained by the LOE Steward.

Cellar Master: Has had two wines awarded a Second place ribbon or better in any recognized competition.   At least one ribbon must be from a Purple Foot sponsored event.  The same wine cannot have been used for Novice, Amateur or Winemaker levels.  The winemaker must not be a judge of their entered wine.  The winemaker must have made a substantial contribution to winemaking or wine judging in a Club program. For example organizing a program, assisting as steward or judge, being an active committee member, etc. and be recognized by the Board of Directors for that activity.  The awards need not be accomplished in any one given year, but must be awarded within 5 years.

Procedure:  The completed registration form and the ribbons or certificates for each wine must be submitted to LOE Steward.  The registration form will be retained by the LOE Steward.

Enologist Extraordinaire: Has had five wines awarded ribbons in any recognized competition.  At least one First place, one Second place or better, and the rest Third place or better.  At least two ribbons must be from a Purple Foot Club sponsored event.  Has led a program for the club giving a presentation on wines, winemaking, wine judging, viticulture, etc. AND served in a major capacity for one year (for example: President, Program Chairman, Secretary, Newsletter Editor or chairing a special event) and has been recognized by the Board of Directors. 

Procedure:  The completed registration form and ribbons must be submitted to the LOE Steward for validation. The registration form will be retained by the LOE Steward.

(revised March 2013)