As if we needed more excuses to visit the Hill Country this summer, there are now more award-winning Texas wines to try! The results are in and our state is now regarded as a top region for Tempranillo, Tannat and Viognier varieties. Here, 4 wineries in Texas that have brought home the top prizes in recent wine competitions.
Bending Branch Winery
Bending Branch Winery, which embraces sustainable growing and winemaking practices, is known for its intense wines – from the high acidity in Picpoul Blanc to the bold tannins in Tannat. The winery also uses innovative winemaking processes to improve the color, structure and flavor of the red wines.
Award-Winning Wines to Try Now:
Bending Branch Winery 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Newsom Vineyards
- Double Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
- Gold/Best in Class Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Lone Star International Wine Competition
Bending Branch Winery 2017 Petite Sirah, Newsom Vineyards
- Double Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
- Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Bending Branch Winery 2017 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards
- Double Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- Top of Class/Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Bending Branch Winery 2017 Malbec, Newsom Vineyards
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Bending Branch Winery 2017 Tannat CM, Tallent Vineyards
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Bending Branch Winery 2017 Tannat, Newsom Vineyards
- Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Bending Branch Winery 2018 Texas Tannat
- Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Duchman Family Winery
Working with the top growers in the state, Duchman Family Winery makes 100% Texas wines from carefully selected varieties suited for Texas, including many Italian grapes. Focusing on pure expression of fruit and Texas terroir, Duchman wines show precision, character and balance.
Award-Winning Wines to Try Now:
Duchman Family Winery 2016 Aglianico, Oswald Vineyard
- Gold, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
Duchman Family Winery 2019 Trebbiano, Bingham Family Vineyard
- Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Duchman Family Winery 2018 Trebbiano, Bingham Family Vineyard
- Reserve Class Champion and Reserve Texas Class Champion, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
Duchman Family Winery 2017 GSM, Salt Lick Vineyards
- Texas Class Champion, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
Pedernales Cellars
Pedernales Cellars is a boutique winery specializing in Spanish and Rhone-style wines. Its owners are sixth-generation Texans dedicated to handcrafted fine wines and sustainable practices. The estate vineyard was planted in the Bell Mountain AVA, a federally recognized grape growing region, is the oldest and largest AVA in Texas. It’s also the third largest AVA in the United States.
Award-Winning Wines to Try Now:
Pedernales Cellars 2018 Viognier Reserve
- Double Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
- Gold, 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Pedernales Cellars 2017 Malbec
- Double Gold, 2020 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
- Gold/Best International Malbec, 2020 Lone Star International Wine Competition
Pedernales Cellars 2017 GSM Melange
- Gold/Reserve Class Champion/Texas Class Champion, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
- International Grand Sar-Red and Gold/Best International Proprietary Blend, 2020 Lone Star International Wine Competition
Pedernales Cellars 2017 Texas High Plains Tempranillo
- Gold, 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards
- Gold, 2020 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Pedernales 2017 Texas High Plains Graciano
- Gold, 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Pedernales 2017 Tempranillo Reserve
- Gold, 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
Spicewood Vineyards
Spicewood Vineyards is one of the first Texas Hill Country wineries, established in 1992 and purchased by Ron Yates in 2007. It produces estate wines from 32 acres and a nearby 10-acre vineyard in Round Mountain. With a passion for Spanish varieties including Tempranillo, Graciano and Carignan, Spicewood Vineyards is also recognized for its estate Sauvignon Blanc.
Award-Winning Wines to Try Now:
Spicewood Vineyards 2017 Battle of Toro
- Judges Selection for Top Texas Red, 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards
Spicewood Vineyards 2018 Texas High Plains Tempranillo
- Gold, 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards
- Gold, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
Spicewood Vineyards 2017 The Independence
- Gold, 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards
Spicewood Vineyards 2017 Estate Syrah
- Double Gold/Class Champion/Texas Class Champion, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
- Gold, 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Spicewood Vineyards 2017 Tenny Wren Red Blend
- Gold, 2020 San Francisco International Wine Competition
Spicewood Vineyards 2017 Estate Tempranillo
- Gold/Reserve Texas Class Champion, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
Spicewood Vineyards 2017 Good Guy
- Gold, 2021 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
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