2024 Texas Vinters Cup Competition

Announcing the

2024 Texas Vintners Cup Competition The only Texas wine evaluation of its kind, selecting the “Best in Texas” wine!

From Uncork Texas Wines, the Texas Vintners Cup competition will determine the ultimate case of Texas wine, judged by esteemed Texas wine writer and sommelier Jessica Dupuy, and Master Sommeliers Craig Collins, Devon Broglie, and Jack Mason.

Twelve individual bottles of Texas wines will complete a single case, reflecting the very best our state offers. Wine enthusiasts can enter the sweepstakes with winners

Win a Wine Getaway!

SCAN QR CODE TO LEARN MORE Enter the sweepstakes and find our official rules at TEXASMONTHLY.COM/ WIN-TEXAS-WINE. Only open to U.S. legal residents age 21 or older at time of participation.

receiving a case of the winning Texas wines, and one Grand Prize Winner also receiving a Wine Weekend in Texas Hill Country.

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Texas Wines Continue to Rise October is Texas Wine Month!

Welcome to the 2024 Texas Vintners Cup, the fourth annual competition sponsored

by Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program in collaboration with Texas Monthly Studio.

BY MICHELLE WILLIAMS

A

t the beginning of the twenty-first century, Texas had forty licensed vineyards. Today, there are more than eight hundred active winery permits in the state. with more than half of the state’s 254 counties home to a commercial vineyard. Texas ranks as the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the United States, with California leading the nation, and contributes over $20 billion in total economic activity for the state. As the industry continues to grow, this year’s Texas Vintners Cup revealed that the wines are also keeping pace.

After tasting 223 Texas-grown wines, our judges, Texas Monthly wine writer Jessica Dupuy, a Certified Sommelier who holds a Diploma through the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust; Master Sommelier Jack Mason, director of national sales and fine wine for Banville Wine Merchants; and Master Sommelier Devon Broglie, global beverage buyer for Whole Foods Market, selected twelve top tier wines and an additional eighteen Honorable Mentions for this year’s Texas Vintners Cup.

B O T T L E P H O T O S B Y B I L L P E A R Y, P E A R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y

“The Texas wine industry is a major part of our state’s agricultural heritage. In the last ten years, Texas has grown the wine industry from $3 billion to $20 billion, and it continues to grow. Programs such as TDA’s Uncork Texas Wines are essential in promoting the incredible quality and diversity of Texas wines, showcasing the grit and passion of our local winemakers.

I challenge readers of Texas Monthly to dive in, explore, and savor the best of Texas wines, because there is a whole world of homegrown flavor waiting right here in our great state.”

—Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller

Carter Creek Winery, Johnson City

“The economic impact of the Texas wine industry is a testament to tourist interest in Texas wine. The hope is that people are seeing that the quality of the wine is representative of that,” Dupuy says. Regarding the quality of this year’s top wines, she explains, “The white wines are increasingly showing more authenticity and balance, and the red wines have more restraint with oak and less volatile acidity than in previous years.” These are promising signs the industry continues to move in a positive direction.

Mason also noted that in the four years he has tasted for this event, the wines being submitted continue to show improvement across the board.

First-time Texas Vintners Cup judge Broglie did notice that Cabernet Sauvignon in general seems to struggle for full ripeness in Texas’s hot, short growing season, noting that the natural grape sugars are over developing while the phenolic ripeness of the seeds are still showing green, underripe, and astringent characters in the wine.

As in previous years, the 2024 Texas Vintners Cup revealed some new faces. “I am always pleasantly surprised

TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF CARTER CREEK WINERY

when a lesser-known producer rises to the top,” Dupuy says. “It shows that Texas wine is continuing to raise the bar when others are joining the ranks of those who have set a high standard.”

Autumn is an ideal time to explore the Texas wine industry. These eleven 2024 Texas Vintners Cup winning wineries offer a guide of where to begin.

Make sure to visit the GO TEXAN Pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, at the State Fair of Texas to sample these awardwinning wines on September 27 & 28, 2024!

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2024 TEXAS VIN TNER S CUP

Ab Astris, Stonewall A B A S T R I S W I N E R Y. C O M

The

Winning Wines

WINNING WINE

Ab Astris 2020 Souzao

Here, listed in alphabetical order of winery name, are the 12 winning Texas wines and the wineries that produced them. Read on to learn where the wines are made, where the grapes are grown, and details about the wineries.

This fall, get out and discover the diversity of Texas wines!

Call ahead to check hours and reservation requirements.

Can’t wait to taste these winning wines?

Tasting Notes “This wine has a nice density with notes of blackberry and dark cherry, creme de cassis—really offering a solid fruit core and a nice, grippy structure.” — Jack Mason Winery Details Mike Nelson, Ab Astris co-founder and winemaker, was raised with an appreciation of wine. His passion spread to his wife, Karen, and in-laws Tony and Erin Smith. For years, after a couple of bottles of wine, Nelson explains the four would dream about starting a winery.

The “stars aligned” beginning in 2014, inspiring the winery name, when Tony and Erin Smith purchased the winery land off the TX Highway 290 corridor. In 2015, the four made their first wine, under the guidance of John Rivenburgh, founder of Rivenburgh Beverage Company. They planted their estate vineyard in 2018–19.

Nelson also credits Rivenburgh for inspiring their planting of the Portuguese grape Souzao. “It’s a fantastic grape that loves the heat—very promising for Texas,” Nelson says. “Souzao is inky in color with good viscosity, yet restrained and flavorful on the palate. It’s a great wine.” Nelson is proudly committed to making wine from 100 percent Texas fruit. “At Ab Astris we make traditional wine with a Texas flair,” he says.

THE WINNERS

Scan the QR code to purchase your limited availability mixed case of the 2024 Texas Vintners Cup Top 12 Texas wines here:

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WINERIES

Adega Vinho, Stonewall A D E G AV I N H O . C O M

WINNING WINES

Adega Vinho 2020 Tempranillo Tasting Notes “Not only is this wine checking all the boxes for a technically accurate Tempranillo, it has a nice juicy palate, bright red fruit, and charred campfire wood.” — Devon Broglie

Adega Vinho 2022 Chardonnay, Texas Hills Vineyards Tasting Notes “With notes of ripe apple, lemon citrus, and a balanced use of oak, this is a really lovely example of Chardonnay.” — Devon Broglie

Winery Details Adega Vinho means wine cellar in Portuguese, yet community is this winery’s DNA. Andrew Bilger, co-founder, bought what is now their estate vineyard and winery in Stonewall in 2016. His brother, Michael, left the oil field to assist in vineyard planting. Their parents, who are both over eighty years old, wives, and children assist in the winery. After studying under Texas wine legends, Michael became the winemaker and vineyard manager. “My brother invested blood, sweat, and tears to become a great winemaker,” says Andrew Bilger. “Winning the Vintners Cup with two wines is a testament to my brother’s hard work as a wine maker. We are super stoked.”

Adega Vinho is proud of their estate Tempranillo, crafted from their originally planted, nine-years-old estate vines. Bilger believes it to be a standard bearer of Texas red wine. Equally, he explains, the multi-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WINERIES

award-winning Chardonnay, sourced from Texas Hills Vineyards, dazzles all who taste it. “This Chardonnay is built to impress,” says Bilger. It’s a standout from the seven Portuguese varieties in Adega Vinho’s portfolio. Bilger, a trained botanist, seeks to plant grapes that do well in the Hill Country AVA. “We want to showcase the Texas terroir,” he says.

Michael’s focus is crafting old-world-style wines, letting each vintage dictate the wines.

Adega Vinho’s tasting room centers on community. The colorful and eclectic space offers livingroom-style vignettes for guests to enjoy a two-hour tasting experience lead by knowledgeable, yet unpretentious staff. “We want to demystify wine in a space for our guests to hang out and be in community with others who love Texas wine,” says Bilger.

They offer a wine club and four themed parties a year, open to the public. Bilger boasts about their popular Sunday evening happy hour and French-inspired food truck Thursday through Sunday.

2024 TEXAS VIN TNER S CUP

Carter Creek Winery, Johnson City CARTERCREEK.COM

WINNING WINE

Carter Creek Winery 2023 Roussanne Tasting Notes “This wine leads with yellow plum, tangerine, and fruit cocktail, but on the palate there’s a nice lean and green tartness and memorable finish.” —Jack Mason Winery Details

THE WINNERS

Carter Creek Winery began bottling Texas wine in 2016, under the guidance of winemaker Jon McPherson and his brother, Kim McPherson, of Lubbock-based McPherson Cellars. “It’s nice to work with my brother,” says Jon McPherson. “We grew up in this industry together with our dad.”

That’s the legendary Doc McPherson, who pioneered the modern Texas wine industry by planting a Texas vineyard in 1968. (The Sagmor Vineyard just received designation as a “historical place” by the Texas Historical Commission.)

The Roussanne is made at the McPherson Cellars winery from grapes sourced from three High Plains vineyards: Bingham, Farmhouse, and Lahey. “It’s easy to work with a winery of my brother’s stature, the focus is always on the wine. We don’t compromise quality,” says Jon McPherson.

McPherson explains the Roussanne, which is complemented by a touch of Viognier and Grenache Blanc, is made in a classic southern French style. “It has the lemony and green peach characteristics you want to see in a Roussanne,” he says.

Château Wright, Fort Davis C H AT E A U W R I G H T. C O M

WINNING WINE

Chateau Wright 2021 Malbec “Point of Rocks” Living Water Vineyards Tasting Notes “This wine is rich and concentrated with a core of black fruit and peppery, meaty aromas.

The palate is balanced with a firm structure and long finish.” —Devon Broglie Winery Details Experimentation and adventure best describe Château Wright. A boutique winery located at 5,400 feet in the Blue Mountains thirty minutes by car from Marfa. “We are kind of in the middle of nowhere,” says sales and marketing director James R. Smith.

Yet, a steady stream of wine lovers come four days a week to enjoy wine paired with elevated grilled cheese, barbecue, and burgers from the award-winning food truck. “The food truck is one of the better places to eat in Fort Davis,” explains Smith. They also offer a vacation rental above the tasting room for soaking up the mountain vines serenity.

Volcanic soil with a variation of warm days and cool nights produces highly concentrated fruit. Minimal intervention, indigenous yeast, and regenerative farming allow winemaker Adam White to shepherd that concentration into the glass. “We are trying to emulate Châteauneuf-du-Pape as much as possible,” says Smith.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WINERIES

Duchman Family Winery, Driftwood D U C H M A N W I N E R Y. C O M

WINNING WINE

Duchman Family Winery 2023 Vermentino Tasting Notes “This Vermentino is clean and fresh with a beautiful intensity of aromas of yellow plum and apple. The palate is vibrant with notes of sea spray and stone fruit.” —Jack Mason Winery Details Duchman has been a Texas wine industry stalwart for twenty years. “Consistency isn’t sexy, but it produces great wine,” says Tommy Wellford, general manager of Duchman Family Winery.

After a three-year absence, the Vermentino, their number one selling wine, is back. “I am thrilled we have Vermentino back in the game,” says winemaker Dave Reilly. This flagship wine is popular even among nonwhite wine drinkers. Among their portfolio, including the beloved Montepulciano and Aglianico, is a newer offering of red, white, and rosé barbecue wines. “These are crowd pleasing wines, great for parties,” says Reilly.

From a variety of tasting experiences, weddings and rehearsal dinners, holiday market days to trivia and music bingo, located 26 miles from Austin, Duchman offers something for everyone. “Come for the day and relax under our oak trees,” says Wellford.

Eden Hill Vineyard & Winery, Celina EDENHILL.COM

WINNING WINE

Eden Hill 2023 Albariño Tasting Notes “With notes of white flower, yellow apple, green pear, and candied white peach, this Albariño is refreshing, delicious, and quite complex.” —Devon Broglie Winery Details Eden Hill Vineyard, located 45 minutes north of Dallas, is a family winery founded in 2010, when Clark and Linda Hornbaker discovered a beautiful piece of land. Linda proclaimed it their “Eden.” Clark and Linda focused on managing their estate vineyard while their son, Chris, makes the wines. Daughter Wendy Dooldeniya’s artwork adorns many of their labels, including the Albariño.

Sourced from the John Oswald Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, Chris Hornbaker believes this vintage may be the best Albariño he has ever made. Furthermore, he feels this Spanish grape may become one of Texas’s premiere white grapes due its adaptability to our hot climate.

Eden Hill offers an array of tasting options. Visit their estate Thursday through Sunday to enjoy a glass, bottle, or tasting flights. Or stop by their tasting room at the Dallas Farmers Market in downtown Dallas, where walkins are welcome.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WINERIES

2024 TEXAS VIN TNER S CUP

Longhorn Cellars, Fredericksburg LONGHORNCELLARS.COM

WINNING WINE

Longhorn Cellars 2022 Marsanne Tasting Notes

Elisa Christopher, Johnson City ELISACHRISTOPHERWINES.COM

WINNING WINE

Elisa Christopher 2022 Brut Sparkling Trebbiano Tasting Notes “This wine is a welcome find—an honest shot at classic traditional method sparkling wine with notes of lemon curd, yellow apple, mineral, and beautiful autolytic notes of brioche and toast. More please.” —Jessica Dupuy

THE WINNERS

Winery Details Elisa Christopher makes a sparkling entrance to the Texas wine scene. After three decades working in counter terrorism, co-founder and winemaker Elisa Jones blends her years of experience assisting her father’s winemaking, Texas Tech University winemaking certification, and John Rivenburgh’s tutelage, to launch her own winery, in partnership with her husband, Chris, centered around her passion for sparkling wine. “We have a shared love of sparkling wine. We are partners in marriage and in the winery,” shares Elisa Jones.

Elisa Christopher’s sparkling program has piqued the Texas wine industry’s interest. This year they are assisting eight wineries in sparkling wine production, paying forward the guidance they’ve received. “It’s exciting. Some are using varieties I have not worked with before,” Jones says. Their traditional method sparkling Trebbiano’s inspiration stems from their enjoyment of sparkling Provence wine, another hot climate wine region.

“Really pleasant tangerine citrus aromas with fresh acidity and a juicy mouthfeel.” —Jessica Dupuy Winery Details Longhorn Cellars embodies the Texas spirit. Living in the Texas Hill Country for twenty years, Dr. Michael and Deanna Dickey fell in love with wine in Napa Valley in 2012. As a result, they sold their medical practice and ranch, bought property in Fredericksburg, and jumped headfirst into winemaking.

Today, Longhorn Cellars, named after their love of the animal, is expanding with a new winemaking facility and a restaurant opening behind their tasting room. “It’s been slow, but we are growing,” Deanna Dickey says.

Alana Martinez became head winemaker in 2019.

“Alana is fantastic,” Dickey says. Her military background as a nuclear missile operator blends well with the Dickeys’ scientific minds. They are thrilled that their Marsanne is a Texas Vintners Cup winner.

As a red wine drinker, the Marsanne was a surprise favorite for Deanna, inspiring its entry into the competition this year.

The Dickeys encourage all to visit them seven days a week and soak up their laid-back, family- and dog-friendly hospitality, and visit their longhorns.

“We’re known as the locals’ Cheers bar,” she says.

PHOTO BY GARY HARMON

Tatum Cellars, Johnson City TAT U M C E L L A R S . C O M

WINNING WINE

Tatum Cellars 2020 Mourvèdre, Salt Lick Vineyards Tasting Notes

Portree Cellars, Hye PORTREECELLARS.COM

WINNING WINE

Portree Cellars 2021 Teroldego, Pepper Jack Vineyards Tasting Notes: “Notes of dark cherry, black plum, leather, and earth come together in the glass with a juicy mouthfeel and powerful, long finish.” —Jack Mason Winery Details When Mark Miertschin had the idea of starting a winery in 2017, his wife Janet thought he was “crazy.” By 2019, they’d bought seven acres of land on a hill off TX Highway 290 on the border of Johnson City and Hye. After leaving the corporate world a year later to pursue their dream, Portree Cellars was born. “You never know where life is going to take you,” Janet Miertschin says.

With the guidance of John Rivenburgh and winemaking certification from Texas Tech University, Janet Miertschin repurposed her passion for art and cooking into winemaking. Portree Cellars boasts a broad wine portfolio. Stop by their new tasting room to sample the Teroldego, a rich structured wine, and prepare to be amazed. “When people taste it, they say, ‘Oh, I’ve not tasted this before,’” she says. “That’s what I am doing all of this for, to offer something people haven’t experienced.”

The Miertschins want all to feel a part of their family.

Relax in their comfy tasting room, play bocce ball, and enjoy some local popcorn and Texas wine.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WINERIES

“For its density, this wine has beautiful, bright fruit character. And additional notes of olive, pepper, and licorice. The tannins are full and elevated. This will age well.” —Jessica Dupuy Winery Details Twelve years ago, winemaker Joshua Fritsche noticed something lacking in the Texas wine industry— Provence-style dry rosé. That same year his daughter, Tatum Rose, the winery namesake, was born. What began as a single wine has become a multi-label portfolio, focusing on elevating Texas Hill Country terroir. “I love what the Hill Country has to offer, and we are just now tapping into the potential of the fruit,” says Fritsche, who expresses pride in the development of the Salt Lick Vineyards in Driftwood.

In early 2023, Tatum Cellars opened an intimate tasting room off the square in Johnson City. Working as a fulltime winemaker for Ron Yates and Spicewood Vineyards, as well as Tatum Cellars, Fritsche keeps it all in a delicate balance. However, his main hurdle is branding. “We are twelve years old, but our tasting room will be two years in January. Many people think we are a new winery.” Visit the tasting room Thursday through Saturday.

2024 TEXAS VIN TNER S CUP

The Burg Wine Co., Fredericksburg T H E B U R G .W I N E

WINNING WINE

The Burg Wine Co. 2022 Vin Rouge, Uplift Vineyard Tasting Notes “Juicy and pleasurable, this Grenache blend has notes of red cherry, black pepper, and subtle earthiness.” —Jessica Dupuy Winery Details Tate Gregory and Remi Immler met in 2020 working together at William Chris Wine Company. Connecting over a shared passion for sustainably farmed grapes and low intervention winemaking, they joined forces in launching The Burg Wine Co. This boutique winery’s focus is guiding exceptional fruit from vine to the bottle with a light hand. By utilizing native yeast fermentation and neutral oak barrels, the fruit takes center stage. “Our goal is showcasing the potential of Texas. When the grapes are farmed well, we don’t have to do much in the cellar,” Immler says. “We make the wines we want to drink.”

The 2022 portfolio includes the Vin Rouge (Mourvèdre, Grenache blend), rosé, and Sangiovese, adding a Picpoul Blanc and Bordeaux blend in the following two vintages.

“Our plan is to make five wines with consistent ideas each year,” Gregory says.

The Burg Wine Co. wines are available through their website, social media channels, and Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery in San Antonio, along with Prometheus Pizza in Fredericksburg. “We want to offer our wines in likeminded places that represent Texas wine,” explains Gregory.

A Perfect Case Winners of the Texas Vintners Cup 2024 Ab Astris 2020 Souzao Adega Vinho 2020 Tempranillo Adega Vinho 2022 Chardonnay, Texas Hills Vineyards Carter Creek Winery 2023 Roussanne Chateau Wright 2021 Malbec “Point of Rocks” Living Water Vineyards Duchman Family Winery 2023 Vermentino Eden Hill Vineyard & Winery 2023 Albariño

THE WINNERS

Elisa Christopher 2022 Brut Sparkling Trebbiano Longhorn Cellars 2022 Marsanne Portree Cellars 2021 Teroldego, Pepper Jack Vineyards Tatum Cellars 2020 Mourvèdre, Salt Lick Vineyards The Burg Wine Co. 2022 Vin Rouge, Uplift Vineyard PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WINERY

Visit the Wineries

5 1 2

3 6

1.

7 4

Stonewall Ab Astris, Adega Vinho

2. Johnson City Carter Creek Winery, Tatum Cellars, Elisa Christopher 3. Fort Davis Château Wright

The Honorable Mentions More Great Texas Wines to Try! To round out the Top 30 stand-out wines in Texas, here are the 18 Reserve Champions.

These wines are too good not to mention!

Red Elisa Christopher 2022 Sangiovese, Letkeman Family Vineyard Pedernales Cellars 2019 Graciano Saint Tryphon 2021 Mourvèdre Slate Theory 2020 Petite Sirah Tatum Cellars 2020 Syrah William Chris Vineyards 2021 Tannat, Hye Estate Wine for the People 2021 La Valentia Dolcetto, One Way Vineyard Wine For the People 2022 La Valentia Red Blend White Ab Astris 2023 Stello Invention Vineyards 2023 Albariño Pebble Rock Cellars 2021 Roussanne Portree Cellars 2022 Fiano Ron Yates 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Saint Tryphon 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Triple N Ranch 2019 Dry Riesling Uplift Vineyards 2023 Roussanne William Chris Vineyards 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Rosé Sandy Road Vineyards 2023 Grenache Rosé

B O T T L E P H O T O G R A P H B Y B I L L P E A R Y, P E A R Y P H O T O G R A P H Y

4. Driftwood Duchman Family Winery 5. Celina Eden Hill Vineyard & Winery 6. Fredericksburg Longhorn Cellars, The Burg Wine Co. 7. Hye Portree Cellars

Win a Wine Getaway!

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From Uncork Texas Wines, in partnership with Texas Monthly Studio, the 2024 Texas Vintners Cup competition has determined the ultimate case of Texas wine! Twelve individual bottles of Texas wines will complete a single special case, reflecting the very best our state offers. Wine enthusiasts can enter the sweepstakes with winners receiving prizes from winning Texas wineries! Prize packages include Grand Prize: Texas Wine Weekend and full case of award-winning 2024 TX Vintners Cup wines (value: $1,650), Two Runners Up will each win a full case of award-winning 2024 TX Vintners Cup wines (value: $550 each).

Enter the sweepstakes and find our official rules at TEXASMONTHLY.COM/ WIN-TEXAS-WINE. Only open to U.S. legal residents age 21 or older at time of participation. Deadline to enter at 5:00 PM CT on October 4, 2024.