Buyers gather for Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction

HOUSTON – A crowd gathered in the NRG Center Sunday for the annual Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction and Dinner, where some wines sold for more than $100,000.

Two of the buyers of some of the top-auctioned wine, Alan and Julie Kent, said this was their second consecutive purchase at the Grand Champion Best of Show.

Recommended Videos



“Most of us were born in Houston and have been here most of our life,” Alan Kent said. “To be able to give back to Houston and Texas youth is just what we do, and we are so blessed to do so.”

The champion wines were selected from 2,850 entries from about 20 countries, including Australia, Austria, France, Italy, Japan, Peru, South Africa and Spain.

“This is our 14th year to purchase wine at the auction. It’s a great way to give and enjoy [the show]," said Chuck Simmons, a man who was part of a group that purchased one wine for $140,000.

The entries in the auction included 105 wines from Tuscany, which was the featured region, and 351 wines from Texas.

Some of the champion wines will be available for tasting during the course of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at the Champion Wine Garden.

The rodeo begins Tuesday.


About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.