WINE JUDGES
Andy Alfieri
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines and Level 1 SAKE
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 21 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
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 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
Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 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
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 2 in Wines; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 11 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
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8 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.
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
Experience: Owner and Winemaker, Hye Meadow Winery
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 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
Experience: 25 Years in the Wine Industry; Currently the STX & Louisiana Market Mgr for Vinattieri 1385; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wines and Certified Specialist of Spirits
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 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!
Art Beane
Experience: Previous Houstonian now living in Massachusetts
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10+ Years
What made you first interested?
My father, in the Air Force, was sent to Spain to be the US liaison to the Spanish Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I was in the 6th grade. We were housed in the city and warned not to drink the water. So, there was little choice but to drink wine. Yum!
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.
Warner Boin
Experience: Certified Sommelier, Wine Educator & Brand Ambassador
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
What made you first interested?
I'll never forget my first "wine bug" wine visiting Napa at 22, the etherial experience trying Manchego cheese with red wine, the fascinating storytelling, history, tradition - I was hooked and never looked back!
Paul Bonarrigo
Experience: WSET: Level 3 in Wines; Winemaker, Messina Hof Winery
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 11 Years
Why work in wine?
It is our family heritage and my personal passion to make great wine.
William Bryan, MD
Experience: Orthopedic Surgeon, Houston Methodist Hospital, Served on various wine committees and societies
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 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
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; Argentina Wine Specialist; Specialist of Texas Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
What are your tips for others?
When exploring new wines, have an open mind!
Giorgio Caflisch
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; Argentina Wine Specialist; Specialist of Texas Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
What are your tips for others?
When exploring new wines, have an open mind!
Rebecca Castillo
Experience: WSET: Level 2 in Wines; Specialist of Texas Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
The mission of Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is very important to me - to help and support students in Texas by providing them with educational grants and scholarships. It's a pleasure to serve as a wine judge in their International Wine Competition enhancing these overall efforts.
Alan Chen
Experience: WSET: Level 2 in Wines and Level 3 in SAKE
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
Getting to meet new judges & reunite with industry colleague and share our passions of wine.
John Ciambrano
Experience: Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
What are your tips for others?
In the wine world, one should be able to find the good in everything. Winemaking, service, and wine culture are meant to be an enjoyable experience.
Denise Clarke
Experience: SWE: Certified Wine Educator; WSET: Level 3 in Wines, CMS: Certified Sommlier; Advanced Specialist of Texas Wine; Wine Press Award from the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association in 2020; Director of Texas Fine Wine.
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
What made you first interested?
When I started doing PR for the Texas Department of Agriculture's Wine Marketing program, I did not know a Tempranillo from an Aglianico or a Vermentino from a Viognier. I love studying and teaching wine to help bring others along on their wine journey.
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: 10 Years