wine judges
Ryanne Robinson
Experience: H-E-B
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 Year
What are your tips for others?
Being adventurous will reward you in the long run. Be brave and stray off the beaten path. Those hidden gems are always so fun to find!
Richard Rolland
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
Why work in wine?
I have enjoyed wine and the history of wine. Owning a vineyard and making wine is a constant and interesting challenge.
Rigo Romero
Experience: 20+ Years in the Beverage Industry; Currently with Churrascos Restaurant; CMS: Introductory Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8 Years
What are your tips for others?
Drink new winesvarietals to explore more options.
Timothy Rondou
Experience: 20+ years in in wine industry, founding member of Rodeo Uncorked!
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 20 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
I enjoy the comradery with our wine world. I enjoy the process of digging in, tasting the many wines and coming up with the great ones. I enjoy finding great value in wine as well.
Fred Salumunek
Experience: Beverage Educator at the Texas Wine School
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years
Mike Sarubbi
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 14 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
(Judging wine for the Houston Rodeo) is a challenging, critical, and rewarding yearly experience. This weekend starts the new rodeo season and has a tremendous impact on the wine makers and leads to dollars raised for scholarships.
Justin Scheiner, PhD
Experience: Ph.D. in Viticulture; WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
Why work in wine?
I engage wine as a researcher and as a consumer. As an agriculture researcher, there is not another crop where quality is so important. This can often be directly tied to the where and how the grapes were produced. It's a very complicated and intriguing relationship. Not many other researchers get to live, breathe, and drink their research!
Kristin Short
Experience: Beverage Educator with E & J Gallo; 20+ years in the wine industry; AWS: Certified Wine Judge; CMS: Advanced Sommelier; SWE: Certified Wine Educator & Certified Specialist of Spirits; WSET: Level 2 Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
The amount of wines and categories to be judged.
Leon Sierra
Experience: 20+ Years in the Beverage Industry; CEO & Founder of Mid-State Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 19 Years
Karin Singley
Experience: AWS: Certified Wine Judge; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 20 Years
Why work in wine?
Every year in wine is a new surprise. A new vintage: a new varietal: a new region or appellation.
Rob Smith
Experience: 20+ Years in the Beverage Industry; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine; WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
"A Hedonist in the Cellar" by Jay McInerney
Barry Smotherman
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 15+ Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
Meeting new wine enthusiasts and being a small part of the effort that ends up putting scholarships in the hands of young Texans.
MarkAnthony Staha
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines; Certified Sherry Wine Specialist
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
What are your tips for others?
Be open to all wines, never put yourself in a wine comfort zone. Learn to love white wine outside the big 3 (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio)
Effie Stees
Experience: Envy Wine Room; CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines; French Wine Scholar; Specialist of Texas Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years
Why work in wine?
Wine has always been my passion. I fell in love over wine. It’s my story
Woodie Stephenson
Experience: 15+ Years in the Beverage Industry; Currently with the Boisset Collection; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Wine Educator, and Certified Specialist of Spirits; WSET: Level 4 Diploma in WInes; French Wine Scholar; Italian Wine Scholar; Spanish Wine Scholar
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years
Why work in wine?
I enjoy learning more about world culture, science and geography. I like working in agriculture to create a more sustainable future and to support farmers and farm workers
Guy Stout
Experience: 30+ Years in the Beverage Industry; Stout Fmily Wines; CMS: Master Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Wine Educator, and Certified Specialist of Spirits; WSET: Level 3 in Wines and Level 1 in SAKE; Italian Wine Scholar; Certified Burgundy Educator; Certified Bordeaux Educator
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 20 Years
What are your tips for others?
Every Vintage is a new adventure
Ned Thorn
Experience: 20+ Years in the Beverage Industry; Currently with Sire Spirits
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 20 Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
"Angels' Visits: An Inquiry into the Mystery of Zinfandel" by David Darlington and "Adventures on the Wine Route" by Kermit Lynch.
Tiffany Tobey
Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier; ISG: Sommelier Diploma Program; SWE: Certified Specialist of Spirits; Italian Wine Scholar; Texas Tech: Current Graduate Student of Viticulture
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 3 Years
What made you first interested?
I studied abroad for something random for my Business degree at Texas Tech. I went to Tuscany and within 3 days I knew I wanted to become a Sommelier. Italy will change your life.
Emily Tolbert
Experience: Part Owner & Director of Operations for a Wine Concierge Consultancy, Haus of Cellars; CMS: Certified Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
Monica Townsend
Experience: Sommelier at The Modern at MOMA in New York; CMS: Advanced Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; Italian Wine Scholar; Spanish Wine Scholar; California Wine Appellation Specialist; Certified Sherry Specialist
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
Why work in wine?
Working in wine brings me joy. I find pleasure in the moment of connection and being an ambassador for a product that touches all categories of knowledge: history, geography, science, philosophy and art.