WINE JUDGES
Jeff Cope
Experience: Owner/writer, Texas Wine Lover; Specialist of Texas Wine; CMS: Introductory Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8 Years
What are your tips for others?
Enjoy Texas wine. If you tried Texas wine years ago, be open and try it again.
Jesus Cruz- Velazquez
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 3 Years
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
Experience: Winemaker, Fall Creek Vineyards
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
"What Price Bordeaux?" by Lewin MW, Benjamin.
Julie Dalton
Experience: CMS: Master Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine and Certified Wine Educator; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; French Wine Scholar
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years
Why work in wine?
Working in wine brings me joy because for the most part, wine brings people joy. I love how wine is a subject matter about which so many other subjects can be discussed.
Mike Diezi
Experience: 20+ Years in the Wine Industry; WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
Why work in wine?
In a glass of wine you have almost everything; agriculture , climate , culture, stories, the art of wine making, food pairings, commerce and experiences. Just add good people and you’ve got it all!
Courtney Diezi
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 Year
What made you first interested?
There are endless possibilities for wines - it never gets boring. Some of my favorite vacation spots are wineries and vineyards to taste local takes on anything from bubbles to full-bodied reds. The ideal wine changes with the seasons, food, and event.
Patrick Dodd
Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Wine Educator, and Certified Specialst of Spirits; WSET: Level 3 in Wines; French Wine Scholar
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 Years
Why work in wine?
I have spent nearly 40 years in this industry because it simply never gets old. There is also such a broad range of roles that you can professionally play within it, I can honestly say that I've easily had two dozen different jobs, all within the same industry.
Mike Dunne
Experience: Wine Writer & Author of "The Signature Wines of Superior California: 50 Wines that Define the Sierra Foothills, the Delta, Yolo and Lodi"; Has Judged in up to 23 Wine Competitions Globally in One Year
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 20 Years
Why work in wine?
I enjoy writing of wine because it offers several avenues for story telling - success stories, the rise of this or that region, grape variety or wine style, the many challenges the industry faces in hoping to thrive, and most of all the colorful, creative, quotable personalities the trade attracts.
Jake Eckert
Experience: CMS: Certified Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 9 Years
What made you first interested?
I've always liked the taste of wine growing up, but I really got interested in wine during my last deployment. I needed something to escape the current surroundings, so I buried myself into every wine book possible. I fell in love with wine then. After the military, I starting working as a Manager and Sommelier in restaurants and hotels.
Denise Ehrlich
Experience: 30+ Years in the Wine Industry; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 21 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
I've always loved that the work we do in judging these wines supports youth and education in Texas and at the same time promotes wine.
Rusk Elatassi
Experience: WSET: Level 3 in Wines; French Wine Scholar; Spanish Wine Scholar; Certified Sherry Specialist
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 2 Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
"Reflections of a Vintner: Stories and Seasonal Wisdom from a Lifetime in Napa Valley" by Tor Kenward
Ginny Endecott
Experience: WSET 3, CSW, French Wine Scholar, Master-level in Champagne from Wine Scholar Guild, 7 years as instructor for Texas Wine School, 2+ years as founder and owner of The Cuvée Collective.
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 11 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
The people! So many volunteers putting together a truly excellent competition. It’s an amazing community!
Rachel Fanning
Experience: Wine production; Enology
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
What made you first interested?
I found wine and winemaking to be the place where my love of biology and chemistry come together to produce something so lovely, we get to enjoy in all avenues of life.
Erica Fine
Experience: Beverage industry for 20+ years. Wine educator for 6 years
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 16 Years
What are your tips for others?
Be kind to others. Drink wine with friends.
Marshall Flowers
Experience: Victoria House Resort and Spa - Belize; CMS: Introductory Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 Year
What are your tips for others?
I like to remind people to keep an open mind about a grape varietal, producer or region. Sometimes people have had unsavory experiences with a particular grape, producer or region and might have decided they do not like or no longer wish to try certain wines. Sometimes things aren't as you remember them and things do change!
Vince Foligno
Experience: Retired after 15+ years in wine industry; WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 14 Years
What are your favorite books and movies?
Bottle Shock
Stephanie Franklin
Experience: Winemaker, Owner & Founder of Franklin Vines Wines; WSET: Level 1 & 2; Specialist of Texas Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 3 Years
What made you first interested?
Discovering wine in my late 20's, I found it to be sophisticated and appealing. I enjoyed the sensation of holding a glass of wine and learning about its origins. My exploration began with Pinot Grigio and continued with trying wines from various regions every other weekend, unknowingly studying wine.
Raju Gajarawala
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier, SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine, WSET: Level 3 in Wines, WSG: French Wine Scholar, Champagne Masters, SSA: Certified Saké Sommelier and Certified Saké Educator
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years
Why work in wine?
I enjoy talking about and learning about wine. The world of wine is huge and diverse, it’s always interesting and challenging.
Maria Ghiglieri
Experience: SWE: Certififed Specialist of Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 Years
Why work in wine?
I love the science behind wine and the way it is like a puzzle. The same ingredients are used (generally) and yet, it always comes out differently!
Theodore Ghiglieri
Experience: Chef in Bowling Green, Kentucky; WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 3 Years
What are your tips for others?
Trust your instincts.