Proceeds from the Champions Wine Auction support the Houston Rodeo Education Fund which provides scholarships, grants, and educational programs for Texas youth
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – MARCH 13, 2025 – Following on the heels of being honored as the Reserve Grand Champion Best in Show wine at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition in November, the 2021 Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon raised $225,000 in support of scholarships for Texas youth at the 22nd annual Champions Wine Auction and Dinner on March 2. Earning the highest bid of the evening, a 9L bottle of the 2021 Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was acquired by J Alan Kent Development, a group of bidders comprised of Julie & Alan Kent, Randa & Ray Gilliam, Andrea & Scott Fish, and recording artist Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Since its inception in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has raised over $630 million to benefit Texas youth and education.
The 2025 Champions Wine Auction and Dinner featured a live and silent auction of the winning wines from the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition, which included almost 3,000 entries from 30 countries, with 314 wines from Napa County, the event’s 2025 featured region. Among this impressive international field of entries, the 2021 Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon earned the second highest honor at the competition and was selected as Reserve Grand Champion Best in Show. The Champions Wine Auction lots highlighted the 518 award-winning wines from the Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition, including Markham’s Reserve Grand Champion 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. In total, the Houston Rodeo Education Fund, will award more than $28 million in grants, educational programs and scholarship in 2025.
“As a winery that believes in the power of building strong communities, we are passionate supporters of the Houston Rodeo’s mission to create educational opportunities for the youth of Texas,” said acclaimed Markham Vineyards Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholls. “While winning Reserve Grand Champion is an incredible honor, as a winemaker it means even more to me that our Markham Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is going to change lives, enabling numerous youths in Texas, who might not otherwise be able to afford it, to attend university.”
The Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon retails for $49 and is available nationally. To find a store near you, visit the Markham store locator.
About Markham Vineyards
Founded in 1977, Napa Valley’s Markham Vineyards is recognized for producing world-class Bordeaux-varietal wines, including some of North America’s most celebrated Merlots, from its 260 acres of sustainably certified estate vineyards and land. A women-led winery and part of the fabric of Napa Valley for almost half a century, Markham welcomes guests daily at its historic stone winery in St. Helena. To learn more, visit markhamvineyards.com.
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – 23. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com.
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