wine judges

Elva Akin

Elva Akin

Experience: WSET Level 3: Wine

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 Year

What made you first interested?

Keep an open mind. Don't say you don't like red wines. Try different varietals and styles.

Andy Alfieri

Andy Alfieri

Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines and Level 1 SAKE

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 20 Years

What are your favorite books and movies?

"Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure" by Don and Petie Kladstrup.

Annette Amaya

Annette Amaya

Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 9 Years

Why work in wine?

It's a never-ending wealth of knowledge as I'm always learning something new in this industry.

Damian Ambroa

Damian Ambroa

Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 4 Years

What are your favorite books and movies?

I enjoy "Windows on the World" by Frédéric Beigbeder, it helped me to get really into wine.

Tamara Atkins

Tamara Atkins

Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years

What are your tips for others?

Keep drinking, keep learning. You cannot have a stagnate wine education. I read a lot of wine books and watch winefolly.com.

William Atkins

William Atkins

Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 Years

What are your tips for others?

Never say no... Try all wines and judge them what they are not what you like or dislike. Never pass up an opportunity to try a new wine.

Kimberly Aziz Withers

Kimberly Aziz Withers

Experience: WSET: Level 3 in Wines

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year

Why work in wine?

There is a whole world of wines and varietals to be explored, each with their own varied story. Half of the fun of trying new wines is being able to share it with your family and friends.

James Barlow

James Barlow

Experience: SWE: Certified Wine Educator and Certified Specialist of Spirits

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5+ Years

Why work in wine?

It's my passion.

Mike Batek

Mike Batek

Experience: Owner and Winemaker, Hye Meadow Winery

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years

Why work in wine?

I work growing and making wine because it has always been a part of life. I enjoy the history and challenge of bringing a raw product to life in a bottle for others to share.

Patrick Bayne

Patrick Bayne

Experience: 20+ Years in the Wine Industry; Currently with LUX Wines of E&J Gallo; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wines and Certified Specialist of Spirits

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 4 Years

What made you first interested?

I started in wine 25 years ago attending my first “official” wine dinner in Destin, Florida…and I’ve been enjoying good wines ever since!

Michael Bernard

Michael Bernard

Experience: 20+ years in the wine industry; CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines

What are your tips for others?

You DON'T have to spend a fortune to get a great bottle of wine. Explore outside your comfort zone of regions & varietals and you can find that hidden gem to share with your friends.

Paul Bonarrigo

Paul Bonarrigo

Experience: WSET: Level 3 in Wines; Winemaker, Messina Hof Winery

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years

Why work in wine?

It is our family heritage and my personal passion to make great wine.

Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown

Experience: WSET: Level 3 in Wines amd Level 1 in SAKE; ISG: Intermediate Wine Certificate

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 4 Years

What made you first interested?

I was first introduced to a sommelier in a restaurant that literally had a very thick notebook of wines by the bottle. I had no idea where to start. The wine he chose for us to pair with the food was outstanding--I like to call it 1+1=3. That's when I knew I needed to learn to achieve that experience on my own and share with others.

William Bryan, MD

William Bryan, MD

Experience: Orthopedic Surgeon, Houston Methodist Hospital

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years

What made you first interested?

I took an adult evening wine course on while doing my surgical training in New York. It gave raise to informal parties with my other orthopedic trainees to meet on weekends with our families and foil-wrapped wine bottles to play the "guessing game"!!!

Tessa Butterfield

Tessa Butterfield

Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; Argentina Wine Specialist; Specialist of Texas Wine

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 Year

What are your tips for others?

When exploring new wines, have an open mind!

Rebecca Castillo

Rebecca Castillo

Experience: WSET: Level 2 in Wines; Specialist of Texas Wine

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 Years

Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!

What I enjoy best about wine judging is the comradery of the Houston-based wine community, all who gather annually for the occasion. Together we taste lots of vino for a great cause, and we all do it for the kids!

Alan Chen

Alan Chen

Experience: WSET: Level 2 in Wines and Level 3 in SAKE

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 9 Years

Why work in wine?

I'm always learning.

Ann-Marie Cogar

Ann-Marie Cogar

Experience: From Colorado Springs, Colorado; WSET: Level 3 in Wines and Level 2 in Spirits; UC Davis: Introduction to Winemaking

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 9 Years

Jesus Cruz- Velazquez

Jesus Cruz- Velazquez

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 Year

Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!

Having the opportunity to try so many amazing wines from all around the world, meet with a lot of experts in wine, and level my skills on tasting.

Sergio Cuadra

Sergio Cuadra

Experience: Winemaker, Fall Creek Vineyards

Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years

What are your favorite books and movies?

"What Price Bordeaux?" by Lewin MW, Benjamin.