Natalie Harwood of Columbia, S.C. clinched the title of ultimate tailgate MVP after winning Bota Box's 2025 "Wing It with Bota" national wine and wing pairing recipe contest held at Guy's Flavortown Tailgate in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Launched by Bota Box in Fall 2025, the contest redefines gameday pairings – proving how wine elevates America's favorite gameday food, chicken wings, by enhancing bold, crave-worthy flavors.

Known for delivering award-winning wine quality and unmatched portability in its 3-liter and "Mini" 500-milliliter packaging, Bota Box invited home cooks nationwide to create America's best original chicken wing recipe and Bota Box wine pairing for the chance to win two tickets to football's biggest game. Grand Prize winner Natalie Harwood's Black Cherry Smoke RedVolution wing recipe paired with Bota Box RedVolution was showcased during a mainstage finale at the Flavortown Tailgate ahead of Sunday's Big Game kickoff.

Of the hundreds of game-day-ready wing recipes and wine pairings submitted across the U.S., Harwood was one of three finalists selected to compete in front of a panel of NFL-legend judges at the fourth annual Guy's Flavortown Tailgate, where bold food and Big-Game energy came together for an epic pre-kickoff celebration.

Harwood's smoky, black cherry-glazed wing recipe and Bota Box RedVolution wine pairing was selected by the judges for its standout flavor, creative wine integration, and a perfect pairing that delivered depth and balance, earning Harwood an unforgettable grand prize: two tickets to Sunday's Big Game and an escort from the competition straight to the stadium to watch the kickoff live.

"It was so exciting and an unexpected win," said Harwood. "I love the sweet black cherry notes in Bota's red wine, and I wanted to bring that same rich, bold flavor to game-day wings. This smoky cherry glaze has a sweet depth that beautifully complements Bota Box RedVolution. Finding out I won tickets to the Big Game left me completely speechless."

"These wings were everything you want on game day—crispy, creative, and, most importantly, delicious with wine," said Andrew Blok, Marketing Director for Bota Box. "The pairing highlighted just how easy it is to level up wings with a glass of Bota Box."

Runner up wing and wing combinations included Backyard Garden Wings with Amy's Lemon Zing Hot Sauce paired with Bota Box Sauvignon Blanc, created by Amy Smith of Los Angeles, Calif. and Spicy Sangria Sticky Wings paired with Bota Box Old Vine Zinfandel, by Justin Ward of San Antonio, Texas.

For more game day recipes and wing and wine pairing inspiration, visit botabox.com/football or follow @botabox on Instagram.