The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association hosted the 27th Annual Lone Star International Wine Competition (LSIWC) on June 7-8 at the Grapevine Convention Center. Retreat Hill's Vintner's Blend was the proud winner of a bronze medal at this year's competition. Our Gewurztraminer also took home a bronze medal.

Nearly 600 wines from around the world were judged in 30+ categories by a panel of restaurant owners, sommeliers, chefs and other wine experts from Texas.  This year’s co-chairs were Barbara Werley, M.S., Pappas Brothers Steakhouse’s Master Sommelier and Beverage Director; and Michael Zerbach, long time chair of the event and winner of the John E. Crosby, Jr. Award for his achievements in increasing the stature and visibility of the Lone Star Wine Competition awarded by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association Board of Directors. 

The LSIWC is three competitions in one – a Texas Competition, an International Competition, and a Limited Production Competition.  To qualify for the Texas Competition, the wine must be 75% volume from Texas grapes.

To qualify for the Texas Competition, the wine must be 75% volume from Texas grapes.

Following the blind competition judging, a media and trade tasting was hosted for the judges in combination with wine industry and media professionals from around the state. Gold and silver medal winning wines with corresponding winery and ordering information were available for all in attendance.  New this year, in conjunction with the media and trade tasting, Dr. Russ Kane of www.vintagetexas.com hosted a TWITTER TASTING where judges, special guests and media professionals were encouraged to “TWEET” about the winning wines.  According to Barbara Werley, M.S., Competition Co-Chair, “Our competition (LSIWC) is the first to offer a TWITTER tasting immediately following the competition, giving wineries’ increased exposure to the market and public wine consumer.”

Forty-four gold, 162 silver and 238 bronze medals were awarded to entries from fourteen US states and ten foreign countries.  Texas Wineries were awarded 220 total medals; 20 gold, 76 silver and 124 bronze.