WINE JUDGES
Robert Gilroy
Experience: 20+ years in the wine industry; CMS: Introductory Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine; Certified Specialist of Spirits; WSET: Level 3 in Wine
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 22 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
Recognizing and Championing extraordinary accomplishments in viticulture and winemaking from across the globe.
Julie Godfrey
Experience: Wine Sales
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 15 Years
What made you first interested?
While studying patisserie at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in Napa Valley, I was able to go wine tasting on the weekends. This is where it began for me!
Nathan Graham
Experience: I’ve been fortunate to spend significant time at various wineries around the world, and have learned in the process. In addition to being an avid consumer I am also co-founder of a Single Cask Spirits label that is based on tasting and selection of rare spirits around the world.
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
The people! Rodeo Uncorked is a great community and the wine competition in particular is full of unique and wonderful individuals.
Michael Graves
Experience: WSET: Level 2 in Wines
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 10 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.
Benjamin Green
Experience: Texas Wine Grape Grower Certification - Texas Tech
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 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.
Echo Green
Experience: CMS: Introductory Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 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!
Elizabeth Grivas
Experience: 16 years in the wholesale wine industry plus 15 years working @ Ridge Vineyards/Lytton Springs. I am currently working for Chambers & Chambers, based in Napa/Sonoma. Native Texan and proud of it !
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: First Year
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
Im looking forward to meeting all the other judges and sharing stories as well as tasting a lot of wines
Pennie Haase
Experience: 20+ Years in the Beverage Industry; Currently with Alexander Valley Vineyards
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 5 Years
What made you first interested?
I am showing my age, but watching Julia Child on PBS got me into wine. I would try her recipes, then head to my local fine shop to get the wine she recommended for the pairing. Some of the recipes were failures, but the wine was always great!
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: 8 Years
Gail Harrison
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 6 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, SWS (Spanish Wine Scholar), Certified Wines of Chile Ambassador
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 7 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
It’s an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by fellow judges who share the same passions to judge a wide diversity of wines, and to support our youth in their educational endeavors.
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: 8 Years
What are your tips for others?
Keep an open mind (and taste buds).
Christine Hollenberg
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 12 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: 5 Years
Why work in wine?
Wine is a product that helps us connect... with friends, families, strangers, and even ourselves.
Lori Huffman
Experience: 25+ years experience in the wine industry, Wine bar/restaurant owner 3.5 years
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 22 Years
Favorite part of judging Rodeo Uncorked!
Seeing everyone that I don't have the opportunity to see during the year as well as tasting excellent quality wines and doing my very best to always give every wine it's best chance! The wineries put a lot into this, and I truly enjoy making them proud of their decision to enter the competition.
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- Wine Director; CMS: Certified Sommelier; SWE: Certified Specialist of Wine; Napa Valley Wine Educators Academy (WEA) Graduate 25+ years in the Houston wine industry
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 8+ Years
What are your tips for others?
You can read all you want, but here's no substitute for popping corks!
Troy Johnson
Experience: 25+ Years in the Wine Industry; Certified Sommelier
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 16 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 (ASTW)
Rodeo Uncorked! Judge: 1 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: 3 Years
What are your tips for others?
Whether one is new to wine, or experienced, "the more you taste, the more you know!"