wine judges
Brian Graham
Experience: Winemaker; WSET: Level 4 Diploma in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
Why work in wine?
For me wine is life. I live, breathe, and sleep thinking about wine and vineyards. I manage over 600 acres of grapes... I love the Earth-to-table uniqueness of what the farmer and the winemaker collaborating can create.
Michael Graves
Experience: WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 9 Years
What made you first interested?
When in college I was on the board of a housing co-op. I convinced them to fund a wine tasting and got the local "Vintages" store to help me do the research and pick the wines. It was a blast. And very well received. Even if the effort was lost on some of my beer swilling friends.
Echo Green
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
I am a Rodeo scholar and this is a great way to give back and have fun while giving lots of consumers at Rodeo something they will enjoy too. It's fun to see the wines you judged and have them in the Wine Garden with friends after the competition - and find out what you judged once the results are released!
Benjamin Green
Experience: Texas Wine Grape Grower Certification - Texas Tech
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years
Why work in wine?
I love the exploration of the wines and how much the location, environment, processes and more impact the finished product and the overall variability in wine.
Una Hadzimahmutovic
Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; French Wine Scholar; Italian Wine Scholar; Spanish Wine Scholar
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 Years
Lisa Hafer
Experience: 20+ Years Experience in the Wine Industry; DAOU Family Estates
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
This is one of my favorite events to come back to each year! I grew up attending the Houston Rodeo and love bringing together my wine career and my rodeo obsession for a good cause!
Gail Harrison
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years
Why work in wine?
As a consumer, wines provide me a continuous learning experience through all of the stages: Growing through to the time you sip the wine.
Cindy Hart
Experience: WSET: Level 3 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
My favorite wine movie is "Sideways," of course. I first saw it around the time I started taking wine classes. I loved the classic remarks and the "wine ironic" moments in the movie!
Tammy Heizelman
Experience: SWE: Certified Wine Specialist; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; French Wine Scholar; Italian Wine Scholar; Spanish Wine Scholar; Specialist of Texas Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 Years
What are your tips for others?
Keep an open mind (and taste buds).
Stephan Hockey
Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier; Intermediate Wine Certificate (IWC)
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years
Why work in wine?
Wine is another way to express, understand, experience and share my artistic aesthetic. Wine is an art form. I am an artist (of sorts).
Christine Hollenberg
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 11 Years
Why work in wine?
My father started a wine tasting group in St. Louis when I was an infant. I grew up in homes filled with laughing and wine tasting - he died in 2004 and I started learning more to honor his memory.
AMANDA HU
Experience: Riboli Family Wines; CMS: Introductory Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine; WSET: Level 2 in WInes
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 4 Years
Why work in wine?
Wine is a product that helps us connect... with friends, families, strangers, and even ourselves.
Lorie Jacobs
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
It is soooo much fun! And a wonderful learning experience. While I feel pretty well versed in varietals and regions generally, each year is an opportunity to brush up skills on the featured region. And judging itself always brings at least one category that challenges my wine experience and helps me expand my understanding of winemaking. It's also a joy to spend time with people in the industry and hear their opinions on each wine.
Chuck Jenkins
Experience: Bisou; CMS: Certified Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine; Napa Valley Wine Educators Academy (WEA) Graduate
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7+ Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
You can read all you want, but here's no substitute for popping corks!
Thomas Jensen
Experience: 20+ Years in the Wine Industry; CMS: Certified Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years
Why work in wine?
This has been an amazing journey. I found a way to earn a living doing something that I am passionate about. The perks are pretty nice, too!
TROY JOHNSON
Experience: 20+ Years in the Wine Industry; WSET: Level 2 in Wines and Level 1 in SAKE
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 15 Years
What are your tips for others?
Remember the best wine in the world is the one "you" like best.
Monica Jones
Experience: Wine Writer and Educator; WSET: Level 2 in Wines; Specialist of Texas Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
Why work in wine?
Discovery feeds my passion to work in wine. I want to continue to soak up as much knowledge about the world of wine and share it with like-minded and curious palates. There's always a new wine to sip and a new region to explore.
Caroline Kenney
Experience: SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
What are your tips for others?
Whether one is new to wine, or experienced, "the more you taste, the more you know!"
Sagie Kleinlerer
Experience: Winemaker & Owner, Kleinlerer Wines; CMS: Certified Sommelier; WSET: Level 4 Diploma in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
What made you first interested?
I grew up tasting my parents' wines whenever they drank a glass. In college I decided to take a "blow off" course during my senior year and fell in love with wine.
Martin Korson
Experience: 20+ Years in the Wine Industry; Currently Employed by Mexcor; CMS: Advanced Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Specialist of Spirits; WSET: Level 3 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 18 Years