2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition Top Winners

After a full weekend spent by 100 judges organized in 20 panels, from November 9-10, the results are in for the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition. They judged 2,505 wines from 40 wineries in Texas and 16 countries, and 2,212 medals were awarded. Here are the top award-winning wines:

Grand Champion Best of Show: Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso, Bolgheri DOC Superiore, 2009

Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show: Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards Estate Bottled Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2010

Top Texas Wine: Bending Branch Winery Estate Tannat, Texas Hill Country, 2011

Top Country Wine (Chile): La Playa Vineyards Axel Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, 2011

Top All-Around Winery: Michael~David Winery

Top Wine Company: Trinchero Family Estates

Top Sparkling Wine: Sophora Sparkling Rosé, New Zealand, NV

Top White Wine: Sheldrake Point Riesling, Finger Lakes, 2011

Top Red Wine: Fess Parker Winery The Big Easy, Santa Barbara County, California, 2011

Top Sweet Wine: Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine, Finger Lakes, 2010

Top Value Wine: Vigilance Red Blend “Cimarron,” Red Hills, Lake County, California, 2011

Champions will be awarded buckles, chaps and saddles at the Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. In addition to the champion wines, the Best Bites competition features offerings from select Houston-area restaurants and caterers vying to earn attendees’ votes in the Best Bites Competition. The top restaurant awards will be presented that evening, as well.

All champion wines will be auctioned at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction and Dinner on Sunday, March 2, 2014.

For tickets and more information for these Rodeo Uncorked! events, visit rodeohouston.com, email wine@rodeohouston.com or call 832.667.1128.

Guests of the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo also can enjoy a selection of award-winning wines by the taste, glass or bottle at the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, located in Carruth Plaza. For more information on tickets and events in the Champion Wine Garden, visit rodeohouston.com.

We will post the list of all Texas medal winners as soon as the official results for all wines are available.

Update: The complete list of Texas medal winners is now available.