Congratulations to Pedernales Cellars and Spicewood Vineyards for winning Best of Class awards at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of North American wines. This year, more than 5,800 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries were judged in this prestigious competition.
Pedernales Cellars won for its 2019 Texas High Plains Vermentino and Spicewood Vineyards for its 2019 Black Label Tempranillo, Dutton Vineyards.
Bending Branch also brought home Double Gold for its 2018 Tannat, Newsom Vineyards.
Here’s what long-time SFCWC wine judge Mike Dunn had to say about the Pedernales and Spicewood winners.
Pedernales 2019 Texas High Plains Vermentino:
“Vermentino isn’t yet positioned to challenge Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or even Sauvignon Blanc among white wines preferred by Americans, but as more takes like this reach the market it will draw attention just as steers draw lariats during team roping at the rodeo. From its gold-flake sheen to its suggestions of peach, melon and caramel, the Pedernales Vermentino is dry, loping and surprisingly long for a white wine.”
Spicewood Vineyards 2019 Texas High Plains Tempranillo:
“Inviting floral scent opens the door to a Texas Tempranillo that runs to the sassy plum side of the variety’s flavor spectrum. Its dryness, elastic tannins and refreshing acidity make the Spicewood fitting for a wide variety of beef dishes, from straight-forward grilled steaks to hamburger casserole.”
Here are other awards brought home by the Texas Fine Wine group:
Bending Branch Winery
Double Gold – 2018 Tannat, Newsom Vineyards
Silver – 2017 Tannat Port-Style, Newsom Vineyards
Silver – 2018 Tannat, Tallent Vineyards
Duchman Family Winery
Silver – 2016 Aglianico, Oswald Vineyard
Silver – NV Progression 2
Silver – 2017 Montepulciano, Oswald Vineyard
Silver – 2019 Trebbiano, Bingham Family Vineyard
Silver – 2020 Roussanne
Silver – 2016 Tempranillo, Salt Lick Vineyard
Silver – 2019 Vermentino, Bingham Family Vineyards
Silver – 2019 Viognier, Bingham Family Vineyards
Pedernales Cellars
Best of Class — 2019 Vermentino, Texas High Plains
Gold – 2019 Texas Mourvedre
Gold – 2018 Tempranillo, Texas High Plains
Silver – 2018 Newseaux
Silver – 2019 GSM Melange
Silver – 2018 Tempranillo Reserve
Silver – 2019 Texas Tempranillo
Silver – 2019 Viognier Reserve, Texas High Plains
Spicewood Vineyards
Best of Class – 2019 (Black Label) Tempranillo, Dutton Vineyards
Silver – 2018 Tandem
Silver – 2017 Estate El Guey
Silver – 2020 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Silver – 2018 Estate Syrah
Silver – 2019 (Red Label) Tempranillo, Friesen Vineyards