It has been over two weeks since TexSom came to a close and I am still basking in the afterglow. Thinking back over its highlights, I keep returning to the Taste Texas Wines hospitality suite, sponsored by Texas Monthly. It was the first of its kind in the nine years of TexSom and had an incredible turnout and reverberating buzz. As I moved between the other rooms, I heard people reminding their friends to visit the Texas room, or talking about the wines that surprised them the most… in a good way.
Texas wineries have been a part of TexSom since its inception, sending representatives, pouring their wines in the Grand Tasting and helping with the educational seminars, but this was the first opportunity for them to showcase their hard work all in one room and hold a place to interact with some serious wine enthusiasts. Fredrick Österberg of Pedernales Cellars was thrilled for the exposure: “We had at least a dozen Masters come and try our wines. The Texas-based ones know us and already support us. Masters from all over the country came too. Fred Dame walked up to me and we had a great conversation. And that means a lot from the somm community, to give them the chance to try our wines and show them Texas can do great things.”
TexSom is unfortunately scheduled at harvest time in Texas. This year harvest came later due to cooler weather in June and July, making it a little easier than years before, but there was still overlap. I spoke to several winemakers who said they harvested a few tons of grapes in the morning, took a shower and drove to Dallas for the conference, then rushed home to help process the crop. Perhaps future TexSom conferences will be on slightly different dates so more Texas wine industry professionals can be involved.
Due to that timing, this was the first year Pat Brennan was able to attend and he was happy about the success of the suite. He said in the days following he received emails, tweets and Facebook posts from people who were surprised by the Texas wine showing. He hopes to return next year and participate fully in the conference, attending seminars and holding a table at the Grand Tasting.
Four wineries poured their wines and only brought bottles made from 100% Texas grapes. A complete list of the wineries, wines and associated awards is below.
Cheers to Texas’ great showing at this prestigious event! And cheers to future years and increased involvement, showing the world what Texas can do.
Brennan Vineyards
− 2012 Viognier- Silver at San Francisco International Wine Competition
− 2012 Lily– Gold at Dallas Morning News and Texsom Wine Competition, Gold and Grand Star at Lone Star International Wine Competition
− 2011 Dark Horse- Chairman’s Award (unanimous gold) at Riverside International Wine Competition
− 2011 Tempranillo- Gold at Pacific Rim Wine Competition. Gold at San Francisco International Wine Competition, Silver at San Francisco International Wine Competition
− 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Duchman Family Winery
− 2011 Trebbiano- Silver at San Francisco International Wine Competition
− 2011 Viognier
− 2011 Dolcetto- Silver at San Francisco International Wine Competition
− 2011 Tempranillo- Silver at San Francisco International Wine Competition
McPherson Cellars
− 2012 Les Copains- Gold at Lone Star International Wine Competition
− 2011 La Herencia– Gold at San Francisco International Wine Competition
− 2012 Dry Rosé Vin Gris
− 2012 Dry Chenin- Gold and Best in Class at Pacific Rim Wine Competition
− 2010 Sangiovese
Pedernales Cellars
− 2012 Viognier- Gold at Dallas Morning News and Texsom Wine Competition, Double Gold, Top Texas Wine, Class Champion and Texas Class Champion at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
− 2012 Viognier Reserve- Grand Gold at Lyon France International Wine Competition
− 2011 Texas Tempranillo
− 2010 Texas High Plains Tempranillo- Gold at Dallas Morning News and Texsom Wine Competition, Double Gold at Lone Star International Wine Competition, Gold at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition
− 2011 GSM– Silver at San Francisco International Wine Competition, Gold at Lone Star International Wine Competition