Page 41 - Grapevine JanFeb 2022
P. 41
In The Winery
Bonarrigo said he enters some shows simply Auction & Dinner and the Champion Wine Garden,
because he supports and believes in the cause. “A ‘the biggest bar in Texas.’”
great example,” he said, “is the Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo. Merrill (Bonariggo’s wife and Rodeo Uncorked! awards also generate interest
co-founder) and I helped launch the competition. in the event. “Our top awards are very unique,”
Lindsay told The Grapevine Magazine. “When peo-
“We have won seven saddles—six for Best Texas ple see the saddles and buckles in tasting rooms
Winery and one for Top Overall Winery. The Rodeo around the world, the word gets around and helps
does a great job promoting the winners with a grow our competition internationally.”
Grand Tasting and a Wine Auction. Messina Hof
holds the record for the highest price paid for a In the world of wine competitions, there is some-
Texas wine at the auction. Our Tawny Port fetched thing for everyone. Besides national, internation-
$105,000.” al, regional and local shows, wineries can enter
competitions that feature women winemakers
Sponsorship or specific typologies or varieties. There’s even
a competition that judges wines alongside other
For the sponsors of wine competitions, the goal is wines in their particular terroir—the Grand Harvest
to market their event to wineries. Jennifer Lindsay, Awards in California. New classes are continually
director of the Rodeo Houston Wine Show, said, added: canned and flavored wines, saké and even
“We work with local distributors through our win- CBT-infused wines are making their way into wine
ery relations committee to reach out to their sup- shows. Whatever your interest, there may be a
pliers and encourage them to enter. We also offer competition for you.
incentives, such as exposure through the Roundup
& Best Bites Competition, the Champion Wine
877-892-5332 The Grapevine • January - February 2022 Page 39
Grapevine Main Pages GV111221_Layout 1-1 copy.indd 39 12/16/21 3:29 PM
