Earning the highest honor at the 22nd Annual Wine Competition was Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne AOC, NV
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is raising a glass to the winners of the 2025 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition! This year’s vintners showcased the finest wine production from around the world. Thirteen winners were selected out of 2,876 entries from 20 countries by a panel of over 120 industry expert judges.
The coveted Grand Champion Best of Show award went to Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne AOC, NV; The Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show was awarded to Markham Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2021.
“To fully understand agriculture is to know the role that wine plays in the industry, and it’s exactly why we are so proud to honor that in our renowned international wine competition,” said President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Chris Boleman. “This year’s top contenders are nothing short of exceptional, and we are proud to showcase them for our attendees at the 2025 Rodeo.”
This prestigious event draws top wine producers from around the world, making the selection process a true reflection of the exceptional quality of the wines showcased. The panel of 122 esteemed judges, consisting of industry experts and connoisseurs, meticulously evaluated a diverse selection of wines across multiple categories, including red, white, sparkling and dessert. Each wine was carefully assessed based on factors such as aroma, taste, appearance, and overall balance.
Of the 2,876 entries, 965 brands were included from around the world. The countries with the most entries were United States, Italy, France and Argentina. Of the total, 558 entries came from Texas wineries and 314 entries came from the 2025 featured region, Napa County.
The 2025 Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition Champions included:
- Grand Champion Best of Show – Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne AOC, NV
- Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show – Markham Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2021
- Top Texas Wine – Peters Prairie Vineyard Barbera, Texas Hill Country, 2019
- Top Red Wine – Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, 2018
- Top White Wine – Krutz Family Cellars Chardonnay, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, 2022
- Top Sparkling Wine – Champagne Pommery Brut Royal Champagne AOC, NV
- Top Dessert Wine – Llano Estacado Mad Ira’s, Texas High Plains, NV
- Top Region Wine – Valley Floor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard, Calistoga, 2015
- Top Value Wine – Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2021
- Top Wine Company – E & J Gallo Winery
- Top Region Wine Company – Middle Oak Wines
- Top All-Around Winery – Nice Winery
- Top Texas Winery – Kiepersol
Winning wines from the competition will take center stage at the 2025 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition on Sunday, February 23, 2025, and will be auctioned off at the 2025 Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction & Dinner on Sunday, March 2, 2025. A selection of the Class Champion, Reserve Class Champions and medal-winning wines will also be available at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost, during the 2025 Rodeo. Also, top-performing Texas wineries will also be invited to participate in Texas Wine Celebration Day in the Champion Wine Garden on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Finally, some of the featured region wines will be highlighted in “A Taste of Napa” event in the Champion Wine Garden on Tuesday, March 11.
For more information about the competition and upcoming events, click here.
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $600 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com, the RODEOHOUSTON app and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.