The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Auction and Dinner held on March 2 raised over $1.5 million, with Lot 1 – Alexander Valley Vineyards CYRUS 2008 setting a new world record selling for $215,000. The Wetzel family and winemaker Kevin Hall attended the auction and presented the wine on stage during the auction. Family partner, Robert Wetzel commented: “CYRUS has received a number of 90+ point accolades and great reviews from critics across the country. For us, this one award stands above all others.”

The 2013 double-blind competition included 2,884 wines from 943 wineries located in 21 countries. Two days and tens of thousands of glasses later Alexander Valley Vineyards CYRUS was selected as the Grand Champion and Best of Show. This was an unprecedented third win for the wine. CYRUS 1999 won the very first competition in 2004. CYRUS 2006 took the top award again in 2011.

Over the past 100years the wine events at Rodeo Uncorked! have raised over $13 million dollars. AVV’s CYRUS auction proceeds alone have contributed $472,000 to that total. Two years ago, CYRUS 2006 set a record price at auction when a 9L bottle sold for $210,000, while the CYRUS 1999 sold for $47,000 at the first auction in 2004.

The 10th anniversary auction broke the record for dollars raised as well. The top two wines were both from Healdsburg based wineries and they sold for an amazing $420,000 – CYRUS at $215,000 and Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir 2010 for $205,000.

The Wetzel family has generously supported the HLSR and hundreds other charity events throughout the country. “We believe in supporting the communities that make Alexander Valley Vineyards a success,” said family partner Harry Wetzel.