Four Texas wineries join to promote Texas wine tourism

This just in from EscapeHatch friend and certified sommelier Denise Clark in Austin:

Four of Texas’ most distinguished wineries – Bending Branch Winery, Brennan Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery and Pedernales Cellars – have launched a new marketing initiative called “Texas Fine Wine” to promote their award-winning wines as some of the best in the state and their wineries as top wine tourism destinations.

“Texas Fine Wine represents a distinctive group of highly respected wineries recognized for making quality Texas appellation wines, delivering excellent customer experiences, and setting the highest standards in the Texas wine industry,” says Fredrik Ostenberg, co-owner of Pedernales Cellars.

The Texas wine initiative unofficially got its start with the first-ever Texas Hospitality Suite at the 2013 TEXSOM Conference, a two-day educational and tasting conference wine professionals and enthusiasts.  Texas Fine Wine will host a hospitality suite at this year’s TEXSOM, which will celebrate its 10^th anniversary.

Going forward, the privately funded group will host and attend special events and tastings for media, sommeliers, retail buyers, wine educators and wine enthusiasts to provide opportunities for these wine professionals to experience quality Texas wines and meet its winemakers.

All four wineries have achieved significant successes in terms of winning awards from some of the most prestigious national and international wine competition, as well as offer exceptional programs for customers including wine clubs, special wine dinners, and winery events.  Here is an overview of outstanding wine awards and other accolades:

Bending Branch Winery

• Double Gold – 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Newsom Vineyards at the 2013 San Francisco International Wine Competition
• Top Texas Wine – 2011 Tannat CM, Estate Grown at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Class Champion and Double Gold – 2011 Tannat, Estate Grown at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Double Gold and Reserve Class Champion – 2011 Texas Tannat , Reddy Vineyards at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Gold – 2010 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Gold – 2010 Texas Tannat, Texas High Plains at the 2013 Dallas Morning News & TEXSOM International Wine Competition
• Gold – 2010 Texas Tannat, Texas High Plains at the 2013 Lone Star International Wine Competition

Brennan Vineyards

• Gold – 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Gold – 2011 Tempranillo at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Gold – 2011 Lily at the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
• Double Gold, Class Champion and Texas Class Champion – 2012 Viognier at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Gold – 2011 Tempranillo at the 2013 Pacific Rim Wine Competition
• Chairman’s award (unanimous Gold) – 2011 Dark Horse at the 2013 Riverside International Wine Competition.
• Gold – 2011 Lily at the 2013 Dallas Morning News and TEXSOM Wine Competition
• Gold and Grand Star – 2012 Lily at the 2013 Lone Start International Wine Competition

Duchman Family Winery

• Reserve Class Champion – NV Texas Bianco at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Gold – 2011 Bayer Vineyard Tempranillo at the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Texas Class Champion – 2010 GSM at the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Silver – 2011 Trebbiano, 2012 Dry Rose, 2011 Dolcetto and 2011 Vermentino at the San Francisco International Wine Competition
• Silver – 2010 Montepulciano and 2010 Sangiovese at the 2013 Dallas Morning News and TEXSOM Wine Competition

Pedernales Cellars

• Grand Gold – 2012 Viognier Reserve at the 2013 Lyon France International Wine Competition
• Gold – 2012 Viognier at the 2013 Dallas Morning News and TEXSOM Wine Competition
• Gold – 2010 High Plains Tempranillo at the 2013 Dallas Morning News and TEXSOM Wine Competition
• Gold – 2011 Tempranillo Reserve at the 2013 San Francisco International Wine Competition
• Double Gold – 2010 High Plains Tempranillo at the 2013 Lone Star International Competition
• Double Gold – 2010 Tempranillo Reserve at the 2013 Lone Star International Competition
• Gold – 2011 GSM at the 2013 Lone Star International Competition
• Double Gold, Top Texas Wine, Class Champion and Texas Class Champion – 2012 Texas Viognier
• Gold – 2010 Texas Tempranillo at 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition

For more information about Texas Fine Wine, go to TexasFineWine.com and follow it on Facebook and Twitter.