Christina Walther of Jeffrey’s of Austin Named Best Sommelier at 15th Annual Texsom

September 29, 2019 by evebushman

Irving, Texas –– TEXSOM co-founders and Master Sommeliers Drew Hendricks and James Tidwell today announced at the TEXSOM Grand Tasting that Christina Walther of Jeffrey’s of Austin is the 2019 TEXSOM Best Sommelier. The 2019 TEXSOM Best Sommelier Competition takes place during TEXSOM, the most prominent and influential wine education conference in the United States, held annually at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.

Photo from Forbes.

Christina topped an impressive field of competitors in a rigorous three-part wine examination involving service, blind tasting and theory knowledge. An elite group of Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, and Master Cicerone judges named Christina the 2019 TEXSOM Best Sommelier at a ceremony on Tuesday evening. The competition is a traditional part of TEXSOM. To participate, candidates must be a current resident of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, or Texas and must not have passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier Examination or won the competition previously.

“The 15^th year of the TEXSOM Best Sommelier Competition was certainly one for the record books,” says Tidwell. “It is a testament to the quality and standards of their wine team for these three individuals to place in our competition. We offer wholehearted congratulations to Christina on taking top honors and look forward to following her career. We also want to extend our sincere thanks to the entire TEXSOM team who really took our conference to another level this year.”

In addition to laying claim to the title of “2019 TEXSOM Best Sommelier,” Christina received a scholarship of $2,500 from SOMMFoundation to be used for a Court of Master Sommeliers certification program. Skyler Ring was the runner up and will receive a $1,500 scholarship, and the 3^rd place winner Austin Farina will receive a $1,000 scholarship. All three winners are employed by Jeffrey’s of Austin. We applaud their quality of service and training.

Held August 18^th to 20^th at Four Seasons Resort and Club and co-presented by the not-for-profit organizations GuildSomm, SOMMFoundation, Court of Master Sommeliers – Americas, and Wine & Spirit Education Trust—TEXSOM is the only event of its kind in the United States. The speakers and judges constitute a who’s who list of the nation’s top wine professionals. Dozens of Master Sommeliers (MS), Masters of Wine (MW), Master Cicerones, WSET Diploma Graduates (DipWSET) and other respected industry professionals were integral parts of the conference.

The 2019 TEXSOM conference featured a stellar line-up of speakers, mentors, and competition judges, including:

Jesse Becker MS
Wayne Belding MS
Shayn Bjornholm MS
Bree Boskov MW
Devon Broglie MS
Dilek Caner PhD MW
Remy Charest
Christy Canterbury MW
Elaine Chukan Brown
Jim Clarke
Craig Collins MS
Olga Crawford MW
Brian Cronin MS
Charles Curtis MW
Ian D’Agata
Matthew Deller
Frederick L. Dame MS
Laura DePasquale MS
Jeni Dodd
Maureen Downey
Jessica Dupuy
Sarah Jane Evans MW
Ganna Federova
Klaus Gasser
Keith Goldston MS
Jamie Goode PhD
Mary Gorman-McAdams MW
Ian Harris MBE DipWSET
Drew Hendricks MS
Rich Higgins MC CS
Jay James MS
Terry Kandylis
Geoff Kruth MS
Paul Mabray
Peter Marks MW
Benoit Marsan PhD
Jack Mason MS
Mary Margaret McCamic MW
Andrew McNamara MS
Melissa Monosoff MS
Sheri Morano MW
Antony Moss DipWSET MW
Nicholas Paris MW
Rajat Parr MS
Bronwen Percival
Francis Percival
Emily Pickral MS
Thomas Price MS
Kyle Stewart
Larry Stone MS
Guy Stout MS
Chris Tanghe MS
Dirceu Vianna Junior MW
Kelli White
Laura Williamson MS
Emily Wines MS
David Wrigley DipWSET MW
Debbie Zachareas

2019 Sponsors: The event is made possible by the generous support of many sponsors, with scholarships provided by the SOMMFoundation.

Sponsors include:

(Presenting Sponsors) Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas; GuildSomm; SOMMFoundation; Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

(Platinum Sponsors) Aqua Panna; Balzac Communications & Marketing; Banville Wine Merchants; Broadbent Selections; Classic Wine Merchants; Fortessa; Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas; ProWein; Ribera y Rueda; San Pellegrino; Silver Oak/Twomey; The Sorting Table; TEXSOM International Wine Awards; Washington State Wine; Wine Australia; Wine Dialogues; Wines from Spain.

(Gold Sponsors) Australia Classic & Rare; Banfi Vintners; Barossa Australia; Classified Wine Imports; Champagne Taittinger; Chappellet Winery; Club Crus Beaujolais; Coravin; Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.; González Byass; GoVino; Harvest Press Cider; Irving Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau; Kistler Vineyards; Loosen Bros. USA; Lux Wines; Mutual Trading Company; Newton Napa Valley; Old Bridge Cellars; Olé & Obrigado; Oregon Wine Board; Ruinart; Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans; Santa Margherita USA; Texas Fine Wine; WhyNot; Wilson Daniels; Wines of Georgia; Wines of South Africa; Wines of Uruguay.

(Silver Sponsors) Ambiente; Austrian Wine; Cape Classics; Champagne Bruno Paillard; Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco Superiore; Crimson Wine Group; Empson USA; Europvin; Food Is Great Britain & N. Ireland; Folio Fine Wine Partners; Gerard Bertrand; Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District; Graves – Sauternes; Iron Horse Vineyards; Jackson Family Wines; Kobrand Fine Wine and Spirits; Franciacorta; Lake County Winegrape Commission; Larkmead Family Estate; Lodi Wines; Louis Jadot/Zind Humbrecht; Mcpherson/Llano/Fallcreek/Brennan Vineyards; Multicarte Inc.; MundoVino; Napa Valley Vintners; New Zealand Wine; North Berkeley Imports; Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits; Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance; Petaluma Gap Wine Grower’s Alliance; Rías Baixas; Serendipity Wines; Sideshow Wine Freaks Tour; Texas Wine & Grape Grower’s Association; The Cultured Cup; The Wine Group; Terrien; Third Leaf Wines; Uncork Texas Wines; VQA Wines of Ontario; Viña Cobos by Paul Hobbs; Vinho Verde; Willamette Valley Wine; Wines of Argentina; Wines of British Columbia; Wines of Chile; Wines of Georgia; Wines of Germany; Wines of Greece; Yarden Inc.

(Bronze Sponsors) Achaval-Ferrer; Adelsheim; Alejandro Fernández Grupo Pesquera; Alexander Valley Vineyards; Almaviva; Arínzano; Athenee Importers & Distributors; Barnett Vineyards; Becker Vineyards; Bellavista; Beronia; Bodega Garzon Uruguay; Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana; Brazos Wine; Bowler; Champagne Collet; Clos du Val; Coast Pinot Noir; Corison; Crown Point Vineyards; Dalla Terra Winery District; Daou Vineyards & Winery; David Milligan Selections; Delectatio; Dessai; Donald Patz Wine Group; Dry Creek Vineyard; Ehlers Estate; Entisquero; Faustino; Fisher Vineyards; Foley Family Wines; Fredrick Wildman & Sons; Freemark Abbey; Garnacha/Grenache; Groth Vineyards & Winery; Gruet; Guinness; Gundlach Bundschu; Hahn Family Wines; Hartford Family Winery; Hundred Acre; Hertelendy Napa Valley; Joseph Phelps Vineyards; Kerr Cellars; Land of Promise Sonoma; Lange Twins; Lede Family Wines; Lingua Franca; Lipman; Messina Hof Winery & Resort; Murrieta’s Well; Obsidian Wine Co.; Pasalei; Passopisciaro Tenuta di Trinoro; Patz & Hall; Pedernales Cellars; Ranchos de Ontiveros Santa Maria Valley; Revana Family Vineyard; Rex Hill; Saint Arnold Brewing Company; Schmitt Sohne Family Wines; Siduri; Sinegal Estate; Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Symington Family; The Hess Collection; Tinto Negro; Trefethen Family Vineyards; Villa Maria; Vina Don Machor; Vinkara; Vineyard Brands; William & Chris Vineyards; Winesellers LTD; ZD Wines; Zuccardi.

ABOUT TEXSOM

Founded in 2005, the TEXSOM conference was started by Master Sommeliers James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks to help promote professional wine service standards, outline paths for further wine education and certification, and raise public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. Today the conference draws more than 1,300 attendees, of whom more than 800 are sommeliers and other beverage industry professionals. In addition to the conference, the group also manages the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, one of the largest, most respected, and longest-running in the United States.

Call for Entries – BRIT®/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing Competition

May 27, 2019 by evebushman

FORTH WORTH, Texas (PRWEB) – Come join the competition! The Botanical Research Institute of Texas and FIVS are pleased to announce the start of their 2020 sustainable winegrowing competition. Competition applications can be downloaded from BRIT’s web site at http://www.brit.org/wineaward and from the FIVS website http://www.fivs.org. The submission deadline for applications is September 30, 2019.

This is the first BRIT/FIVS co-branded and co-managed competition since the event began in 2010. The new partnership engages FIVS’s global membership of regional wine associations, wine producers and distributors to support and promote the competition.

The award attracts progressive and passionate wine organizations from around the world that are taking a leading role in “ground to glass” sustainable programs. The competition is based on the continuous improvement of the three tenets of sustainability – environment, economic, and social – and wine flavor.

The competition application consists of 20 high-level self-assessment questions in which applicants describe their organization’s conservation efforts in the vineyard and in operations. Examples include how waste is avoided, how it is reclaimed, and how the winery extends conservation efforts to its customers. Practices established to maintain environmentally sound, socially responsible, and economically feasible winemaking principles are detailed. Two bottles of wine must also be provided for a tasting by the judging committee. The competition has an entry fee of $50 USD.

International entrants may use their US distributors to forward their wine samples to BRIT or may use BRIT’s consignee, La Cigale Wines of Fort Worth, Texas, to clear shipments and provide COLA Waivers. If wishing to use La Cigale Wines, please contact Edward Proctor, La Cigale Wines, at (817) 923-6747 or email, ed@lacigalewines.com before shipping.

Previous platinum award recipients include: Casa Ferreirinha, 2019, Alexander Valley Vineyards (2018), Yealands Family Wines, (2017), Buzet (2016), LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards (2014), Yalumba (2013), Trefethen Family Vineyards (2012), Parducci Wine Cellars (2011), and HALL Wines (2010).

The competition begins May 1, 2019 with a submission deadline of September 30, 2019. Winners will be announced in November. Platinum, gold, silver, and bronze-level medals are awarded to top-placing entries.

The competition’s overall winner will be presented with BRIT/FIVS International Sustainable Winegrowing glass sculpture in Fort Worth in January 2020, during BRIT’s Vine to Table award presentation and dinner.

2019 Texas Whiskey Festival Set For April 19

March 14, 2019 by evebushman

AUSTIN, Texas (PRWEB) – The Texas Whiskey Festival has announced the date and venue for its second annual event: April 19th at the Star Hill Ranch near Bee Cave Texas. The event provides a casual and informative opportunity for whiskey enthusiasts to meet Texas’ master blenders and distillers, while enjoying an evening of food, entertainment and cigar pairings designed to complement the craft whiskey brands showcased at the event.

“Last year’s inaugural event was such a success that we outgrew our venue – so we’re hosting this year’s Festival at the much larger Star Hill Ranch outside of Bee Cave, Texas,” said event co-founder Jake Clements. “This amazing venue is a classic old west town that’s served as a set for Hollywood films, and its main street and many air-conditioned buildings provide the perfect setting for the food, music, and of course the whiskey that we’ll present and share with all in attendance.”

The Texas Whiskey Festival is a fun and entertaining event that lets whiskey enthusiasts meet the distillers and master blenders who are making Texas’ best spirits. The evening provides a perfect setting for educating whiskey lovers and introducing them to not only top-shelf whiskeys produced throughout the State, but also to a handful of participating wineries. Extensive food selections, cigar pairings and live entertainment are sure to make the 2019 event memorable for whiskey enthusiasts and also for the state’s most innovative distillers.

Click here for Ticket information.

Event founders are pleased to announce that a number of favorite distilleries are participating, including: Still Austin Whiskey Co; Andalusia Whiskey Co; Balcones Distilling; Treaty Oak Distilling; 1876 Bourbon; Yellow Rose Distilling; and Garrison Brothers. Details on new and additional distilleries will be made available in the weeks ahead, and distilleries interested in participating are invited to contact: distilleries@txwhiskeyfest.com.

Sponsors interested in interacting with more than 500 attending whiskey enthusiasts can contact: sponsor@txwhiskeyfest.com.
Accommodations are available at the Sonesta Bee Cave, which is partnering with the Festival to offer discounts and group packages for attendees.
Members of the media interested in attending, or being a media partner are encouraged to contact media@txwhiskeyfest.com.

Additional details on sponsors, awards programs, and participating distilleries will be made available via the event’s Facebook page, at facebook.com/TXWhiskeyFest.

About the Texas Whiskey Festival
The mission of the festival is simple: To help promote and enhance the brands of the many great distilleries throughout Texas. Along with promotion, we want to educate whiskey lovers about the many top-of-the-line whiskeys being produced in our great state – and we’re doing it all while having fun, drinking great whiskey, and building memorable experiences. As an organization, we know that Texas has some of the best distilleries and whiskeys in the world. The Texas Whiskey Festival is an opportunity to showcase that. For more information, please visit: https://txwhiskeyfest.com.

Kenneth Freeman of Sixty Vines Named Best Sommelier at 14th Annual TEXSOM

September 9, 2018 by evebushman

Irving, Texas – TEXSOM co-founders and Master Sommeliers Drew Hendricks and James Tidwell announced at the TEXSOM Grand Tasting presented by ProWein that Kenneth Freeman of Sixty Vines in Uptown Dallas is the 2018 TEXSOM Best Sommelier. The 2018 TEXSOM Best Sommelier Competition, presented by Texas Monthly, takes place during TEXSOM, the most prominent and influential wine education conference in the United States, held annually at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.

Freeman topped an impressive field of 25 other competitors in a rigorous three-part wine examination involving service, blind tasting and theory. An elite panel of Master Sommelier judges named Freeman the 2018 TEXSOM Best Sommelier at a ceremony on Monday evening. The competition is a traditional part of TEXSOM. To participate, candidates must be a current resident of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, or Texas and must not have passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Advanced Sommelier Examination or won the competition previously.

“Though we’ve grown over the past 14 years, the mission of TEXSOM continues to be the advancement of our industry and the elevation of service standards in a constant quest for excellence,” said Tidwell. “The TEXSOM Best Sommelier Competition is an opportunity for those individuals who show both a drive to learn and a commitment to these principles. We offer wholehearted congratulations to Kenneth for winning the competition this year. We see a bright future for him and will follow with interest, his accomplishments over the next few years.”

In addition to laying claim to the title of “2018 TEXSOM Best Sommelier,” Freeman received a scholarship of $2,500 from SOMMFoundation to be used for a Court of Master Sommeliers certification program. Lindsay Drew of Guild in Austin was the runner up and will receive a $1,500 scholarship, and the 3rd place winner Morgan Gray of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Houston will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Held August 10th to 13th at Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas and co-presented by the not-for-profit organizations GuildSomm, SOMMFoundation, Court of Master Sommeliers – Americas, and Wine & Spirit Education Trust—TEXSOM is the only event of its kind in the United States. The speakers and judges constitute a who’s who list of the nation’s top wine professionals. Dozens of Master Sommeliers (MS), Masters of Wine (MW), Certified Wine Educators (CWE), and other respected industry professionals were integral parts of the conference.

The 2018 TEXSOM conference featured a stellar line-up of speakers, mentors, and competition judges, including:

Serafin Alvarado MS
•   Gillian Ballance MS
•   Christopher Bates MS
•   Wayne Belding MS
•   John Blazon MS
•   Bree Boskov MW
•   Devon Broglie MS
•   Jim Bube MS
•   Dilek Caner PhD MW
•   Christy Canterbury MW
•   Elaine Chukan Brown
•   Matt Citriglia MS
•   Jim Clarke
•   Craig Collins MS
•   Brian Cronin MS
•   Charles Curtis MW
•   Ian D’Agata
•   Frederick L. Dame MS
•   Mark Davidson
•   Laura DePasquale MS
•   Jessica Dupuy
•   Sarah Jane Evans MW
•   Michael Franz Ph.D.
•   Keith Goldston MS
•   Mary Gorman-McAdams MW
•   Peter Granoff MS
•   Greg Harrington MS
•   Ian Harris DipWSET MBE
•   Drew Hendricks MS
•   Jay James MS
•   David Keck MS
•   Geoff Kruth MS
•   Ernst Loosen
•   Jack Mason MS
•   Mary Margaret McCamic MW
•   Andrew McNamara MS
•   Melissa Monosoff MS
•   Sheri Morano MW
•   Antony Moss DipWSET MW
•   Nicholas Paris MW
•   Aaron Patrick MS
•   Francis Percival
•   Thomas Price MS
•   Josh Raynolds
•   Jean K. Reilly MW
•   Laura Rhys MS
•   Treve Ring DipWSET
•   June Rodil MS
•   Joseph Spellman MS
•   Guy Stout MS
•   Chris Tanghe MS
•   Liz Thach Ph.D. MW
•   Dirceu Vianna Junior MW
•   Kelli White
•   Nigel Wilkinson MS
•   Virginia Wilcock
•   David Wrigley DipWSET MW
•   Debbie Zachareas

2018 Sponsors: The event is made possible by the generous support of many sponsors, with scholarships provided by the SOMMFoundation.

Sponsors include:

(Presenting Sponsors) Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas; GuildSomm; SOMMFoundation; Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

(Platinum Sponsors) Aqua Panna; Balzac Communications & Marketing; Broadbent Selections; Classic Wine Merchants; E&J Gallo Winery; Fortessa; Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas; ProWein; Republic National Distributing Company; Ribera y Rueda; San Pellegrino; Silver Oak/Twomey; The Sorting Table; Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits; TEXSOM International Wine Awards; TRU Estates and Vineyards; Washington State Wine; Wine Australia; Wines from Spain.

(Gold Sponsors) Australia Classic & Rare; Banfi Vintners; Banville Wine Merchants; Barossa Australia; Classified Wine Imports; Champagne Taittinger; Chappellet Winery; Coravin; Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.; GoVino; Irving Texas Convention & Visitors Bureau; Kistler Vineyards; Loosen Bros. USA; Louis Jadot; Lux Wines; Massanois; Mutual Trading Company; Old Bridge Cellars; Oregon Wine Board; Rhone Valley Vineyards; Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans; Texas Fine Wine; Repour Winesaver; Vintus; Wilson Daniels; Wines of South Africa.

(Silver Sponsors) Bliss Wine Imports; Cape Classics; Crimson Wine Group; DSWS; Domaines Albert Bichot; Empson USA; Esprit du Vin; Europvin; Folio Fine Wine Partners; Gerard Bertrand; Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District; Graves – Sauternes; Helen & Joey Estate; Iron Horse Vineyards; Jackson Family Wines; Jeroboam; Kobrand Fine Wine and Spirits; C. N. Kopke; Lake County Winegrape Commission; Lodi Wines; Multicarte Inc.; MundoVino; Napa Valley Vintners; New Zealand Wine; North Berkeley Imports; Old World Vines; Ole Imports; Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance; Provence Rose Group; Serendipity Wines; Sideshow Wine Freaks Tour; The Cultured Cup; The Wine Group; Vina Cobos by Paul Hobbs; Vini Fantini by Farnese; Vinos D.O. Navarra; West Sonoma Coast Vintners; Willamette Valley Wine; Wines of Chile; Wines of Georgia; Wines of Germany; Wines of Greece; Wines of Turkey; Wine of Uruguay; Winesellers, Ltd; Yraden Inc.

(Bronze Sponsors) Achaval Ferrer; Alexander Valley Vineyards; Almaviva; Arinzano; Austrian Wine; Barnett Vineyards; Becker Vineyards; Bellavista; Bending Branch Winery; Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana; Brazos Wine; Champagne Collet; Chapel Down; Charles Krug; Clos du Val; Craft + Estate; Crown Point Vineyards; Dalla Terra Winery District; Dashe; Delectatio; Domaine Roy & Fils; Dry Creek Vineyard; DuMol; Ehlers Estate; Emeritus Vineyards; Faustino; Fisher Vineyards; Foley Family Wines; Fredrick Wildman & Sons; Freemark Abbey; Gonzales Byass; Groth Vineyards & Winery; Gruet; Hahn Family Wines; Hartford Family Winery; Hope Family Wines; Hundred Acre; Jax; Joseph Phelps Vineyards; Lange Twins; Lede Family Wines; Left Coast Cellars; Lewis Wines; Mad Fritz; McPherson; Messina Hof Winery & Resort; Mionetto USA; Montagu; Murrieta’s Well; O’Neill Vintners & Distillers; Ontanon; Obsidian Wine Co.; Pahlmeyer Wayfarer; Patz & Hall; Pedernales Cellars; Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance; Premium Port Wines; Quivara Vineyards; R & R Selections; Ramey Wine Cellars; Ranchos de Ontiveros; Revana Family Vineyard; Rex Hill; Siduri; SM Wine Group; Ste. Michelle Wine Estates; Tamber Bey; The Hess Collection; Third Leaf; Torbreck; Trefethen Family Vineyards; Villa Maria; Ventisquero; Vineyard Brands; Vintage Point; William Chris Vineyards; ZD Wines; Zuccardi.

ABOUT TEXSOM
Founded in 2005, the TEXSOM conference was started by Master Sommeliers James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks to help promote professional wine service standards, outline paths for further wine education and certification, and raise public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. Today the conference draws more than 1,300 attendees, of whom more than 800 are sommeliers and other beverage industry professionals. In addition to the conference, the group also manages the TEXSOM International Wine Awards, one of the largest, most respected, and longest-running in the United States.

Alexander Valley Vineyards of Healdsburg, California Wins Top Honors

January 31, 2018 by evebushman

FORT WORTH, Texas (PRWEB) – The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT®) is pleased to announce the winners in its 2018 International Award of Excellence in Sustainable Winegrowing competition. The platinum medal goes to Alexander Valley Vineyards (AVV) of Healdsburg, California, based on the winery’s on-going sustainable programs that address the three elements of sustainability: environmental, economic, social – and the Vineyard’s wine taste.

AVV is one of an elite group of wineries recognized as a Bay Area Green Business. They became a member of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program in 2006 and achieved vineyard certification in 2014. AVV bottled their first wine produced from organic certified grapes in 2008, today the family organically farms over 30 acres and offers two wines from 100% California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) grapes. A second family vineyard will receive CCOF certification in June 2018. Other AVV sustainable initiatives include solar arrays that supply about half of the winery’s power; cover crop plantings to minimize pesticide use and control erosion; drip irrigation for precise water management; 25,000 square feet of underground, naturally cooled caves that reduce the winery’s carbon footprint; and installation of variable speed drives on all winery equipment to decrease energy waste.

The awarded wine was AVV’s, 2014 Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard, using certified organic grapes.

“Alexander Valley Vineyards’ strong list of sustainable programs and care in winemaking produced an unbeatable application,” said Ed Schneider, BRIT’s president and director. “During the taste portion of the competition, our judges especially noted that the 100% organic varietal was perfectly balanced with fruit and spice to the taste and a testament to the Wetzel’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and family farming.”

AVV is a family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, on the historic property originally settled in the 19th century by Cyrus Alexander, the valley’s namesake. Since 1975 the Wetzel Family has been producing an array of estate wines that reflect the unique character of the property.

“We are honored to receive the BRIT award and the recognition of the practices we have implemented over the decades,” says Harry Wetzel. “As a family run operation, we all believe that it is our responsibility to make this an even better place for future generations.”

Additional BRIT sustainable awards went to:

Gold medals

E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, California. Submitted 2015 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon. Gallo receives special recognition for its corporate-wide, multi-brand sustainability programs and for the organization’s industry leadership.
Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza, Argentina. Submitted 2014 Catena Malbec.

Silver medal

Franciscan Estates, St. Helena, California. Submitted 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bronze medal

Peach Creek Vineyards, College Station, Texas. Submitted Sassy Lassy, semi-sweet Texas table wine made with Noble grapes.

Competition for BRIT’s 2018 international award began May, 2017, when wineries submitted applications documenting their sustainable programs relating to environmental, economic, and social aspects of grape growing, and wine production along with their wine samples.

When submitting for the competition, wineries provide a self-assessment of their organization’s accomplishments in sustainable winegrowing, winemaking, and ecopreneural/social responsibility practices. They describe their organization’s conservation efforts in the field and in operations: how waste is avoided, how it is reclaimed, and how the winery extends conservation efforts to its customers and community. They also are required to submit a bottle of wine for a tasting by the judging committee.

Because the BRIT award is the only international award of its kind, it is of primary interest to wineries which care deeply about the environment and are taking a leading role in their community/region/country by implementing sustainable practices. Sustainable winegrowing programs are by nature, ongoing, so a key part of each program is its continual improvement process.

As a nonprofit, international plant research and knowledge sharing organization, BRIT offers this award to help raise interest and awareness of the value plants bring to our lives and the need for biodiversity.

Presentation of the platinum award to Alexander Valley Vineyards will be made in Fort Worth on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 during BRIT’s Vine to Table dinner and auction fundraising event.

BRIT’s 2019 sustainable winegrowing competition begins May 1, 2018, with the competition’s Call for Entries news release and the 2019 application is posted on the BRIT website, http://www.BRIT.org/wineaward. The submission deadline is September 1, 2018.

Announcing TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2018 Call for Entries

November 15, 2017 by evebushman

Dallas, Texas – TEXSOM Co-founders and Master Sommeliers Drew Hendricks and James Tidwell today announced that the TEXSOM International Wine Awards is accepting entries for the 2018 competition to be held February 12-14, 2018 at the Grapevine Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas

The following is a timeline with corresponding entry fees:

Submission Period
October 31 – December 31, 2017
$95 + 4 bottles of wine per entry
Wines must be received by January 1, 2018

Late Submission Period
January 1 – January 31, 2018
$105 + 4 bottles of wine per entry
Wines must be received by February 1, 2018

Late Expedited Submission Period
February 1 – 9, 2018
$145 + 4 bottles of wine per entry
Overnight Shipping Required, in order for processing to be completed for judging

“The TEXSOM International Wine Awards is the preeminent wine competition in the United States,” says Andrew McNamara MS, Vice President of Wine Development at Breakthru Beverage and Chairman – Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. “TEXSOM International Wine Awards continues to assemble a panel of judges that is unmatched anywhere. Industry leaders, including many Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, judge an array of high-quality wines from around the world over the course of two days. Receiving a medal of any kind at TIWA is a boon to suppliers and distributors alike; mentioning it to sommeliers and buyers makes the already great wines that much more attractive.”

“TEXSOM attracts extremely experienced and knowledgeable judges, world-class wines and imposes ironclad integrity in the judging process,” says Debbie Zacharias and Peter Granoff MS, General Partners at Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant and Oxbow Wine & Cheese Merchant. “Many competitions make that claim, but the bar is truly higher here. Wineries and importers often ask us which competitions are the best ones to enter in the U.S. and TEXSOM is always at the top of a very short list.”

“An exciting global perspective is one thing that sets the TEXSOM International Wine Awards apart,” says Catherine Miles, Senior VP, Creative & Marketing Director for Broadbent Selections. “But the main reason a TEXSOM medal shines brighter than many other awards is that TEXSOM is so much more than an awards program. It’s an invigorating experience and an inspiring education that’s become a can’t-miss event for the wine world’s best and brightest.”

“TEXSOM International Wine Awards has been critical in building awareness for Greek wine,” says Sofia Perpera, Director of the Greek Wine Bureau-North America for Wines of Greece. “From the recognition garnered by ratings from world’s top opinion makers, as well as the exposure within the Sommelier community that TEXSOM allows.”

All award-winning wineries are asked to reserve at least three additional bottles of each award-winning wine for possible promotion and feature opportunities, such as inclusion in the Wine Awards hospitality suite at the TEXSOM conference; TEXSOM’s newest venture, the publication Sommelier; and in tastings outside the TEXSOM conference. Award-winning wines are candidates for consideration in TEXSOM seminars, but no guarantees are made regarding an individual wine’s use in seminars. Aside from the two bottles requested by TEXSOM International Wine Awards, restaurant and retail partners might contact award-winning entrants for participation in promotional tastings, dinners, wine list features, etc. Participation in events with restaurant and retail partners is at the discretion of the entrant.

In addition to the activities listed above, the following is a list of benefits for award winners:

Award-winning wines announced via social media, email messaging, website, press release, publication partners
The entire list of award-winning wines will be presented online by the presenting sponsor, Texas Monthly
Listing of all award-winning wines and featured content on select award-winners in Sommelier, TEXSOM’s newest publication for sommeliers, wine buyers, other beverage professionals, and engaged consumers
Exposure to TEXSOM’s international network of sommeliers and wine buyers with a tasting of medal-winning wines at the TEXSOM conference hospitality suites in August 2018
Award-winning wines presented at events throughout the country through wine tastings, wine dinners and special events with restaurant and retail partners
Award-winning wines featured on the TEXSOM International Wine Awards website throughout the calendar year
Results available through the TEXSOM International Wine Awards searchable online database
Recognition of the quality of the wines by a group of the best palates in the country, including the judges and Sommelier Panel. The Sommelier Panel is unique to TEXSOM International Wine Awards. The Panel consists of prominent sommeliers from around the country who write expository content following the awarding of medals by judges during the blind tasting

Wineries interested in submitting their wines for judging may visit the TEXSOM International Wine Awards website at http://texsomiwa.com. Further inquiries may be made by emailing enter@texsomiwa.com or by calling 214.886.1665.

ABOUT TEXSOM

Founded in 2005, TEXSOM was started by Master Sommeliers James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks to help promote professional wine service standards, outline paths for further wine education and certification, and raise public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. Today, the conference draws more than 1,000 attendees, of whom more than 800 are sommeliers and other beverage industry professionals. The TEXSOM group purchased the competition now known as the TEXSOM International Wine Awards in April 2014. One of the largest, most respected, and longest-running in the United States, the competition was founded in 1985 by journalist and wine expert Rebecca Murphy.

2017 Whiskies Of The World® Award Winners

October 2, 2017 by evebushman

Austin, Texas (PRWEB) – Whiskies of the World is delighted to announce the winners of the 2017 Whiskies of the World Awards. Whiskies of the World is known for its industry standard tasting events in Atlanta, Austin, Houston, San Francisco and San Jose. The Whisky Awards is an additional feature that provides brands marketing materials to promote their products. As only 23% of entrants receive gold medals, the results of these awards are extremely meaningful. Additionally, all judges’ notes are made available to each entrant as important data to develop the brand and determine best marketing strategy.

Whiskies are judged on a 100-point basis with a concentration on appearance, aromatics, flavor, mouthfeel and finish. Blind judging was performed by a panel of eighteen Texas tastemakers who are all influential figures in the state’s beverage industry. The panel included: David “Bart” Bartlett – Whisky Guru at Beverage World; Jeff Boley – Beverage Manager Townsend; Jeramy Campbell – Assistant Manager Seven Grand Whisky Bar; Carly Dunavant – Bartender; Aisling Gammill – Lead Bartender Whisler’s; Dennis Gobis – Co-Owner The Roosevelt Room and Eleanor; Mike Groener – CEO Genius Liquids; Jennifer Keyser – Beverage Director Holy Roller; Justin Lavenue – Co-owner The Roosevelt Room and Eleanor; Lana Lindsley – Bulleit Whiskey Ambassador; David Maguire – Co-owner The Austin Shaker; John McEntire – Spirits Consultant Twin Liquors; Florian Minier – Bartender Small Victory; Adrian Montanez – Manager Twin Liquors; Purav Patel – Owner Village Liquors; Mike Raymond – Owner Reserve 101; Ken Seeber – Spirits Consultant Twin Liquors; Kevin Stein – Regional Manager Twin Liquors

“The judges are extremely talented with sensitive palates and work hard to evaluate each product,” explains Douglas Smith, Whiskies of the World Event Director. “The evaluation of whiskies is taken very seriously. Our judges not only taste and make notes, but also discuss and consider many angles. We are proud that our awards reflect the experience and integrity of our excellent judging panel.”

Full results are listed on our website: Awards

The 2017 Best in Show Winner:
Gold: Glendronach 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

The 2017 Best in Class Winners:
American Single Malt: Westland American Single Malt Whiskey “American Oak”
Bourbon less than 2 years: Widow Jane Baby Jane Bourbon
Bourbon 2-5 years: Old Forester 1920
Bourbon greater than 5 years: Widow Jane 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon NAS: Old Forester Statesman
Canadian: Stalk & Barrel Red Blend
Corn greater than 2 years: Ironroot Hubris Corn Whiskey
Corn less than 2 years: Austonian Whiskey
Flavored Whiskey: R.M. Rose Fire On The Mountain Cinnamon Whiskey
Irish: Knockmore Irish Whiskey
Malt Unpeated: Glencadam 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Malt Unpeated Cask Finish: Glendronach 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Malt Peated: Amrut Fusion
Malt Peated Finished: Five Lions Blended Malt Scotch Whisky Peatside
Rye greater than 2 years: Old Potrero 18th Century Style Whiskey
Rye NAS: Rock Town Arkansas Rye Whiskey
Whiskey: Jim Beam Little Book “The Easy”

2017 Gold Recipients:
American Single Malt < 2 Years: Balcones ‘1′ Texas Single Malt
American Single Malt: Balcones Texas Single Malt Single Barrel
Bourbon 2-5 years:
Amador ‘Ten Barrels’
A.D. Laws Bottled In Bond 4 Grain Straight Bourbon
Balcones Texas Blue Corn Bourbon
Bourbon greater than 5 years: Amador Double Barrel
Irish: The Dubliner 10 year Old
Malt Peated: Amrut Cask Strength Peated
Malt Peated Finished: Amrut Kadhambam
Malt Unpeated Cask Finish: Chapter 7 19 Year Old Highland Blended Malt
Rye less than 2 Years: Lazy Guy 5th Article 1887 Rye Whiskey
Whiskey: Balcones Brimstone

2017 Silver Outstanding Recipients:
American Single Malt: Do Good Cherrywood Smoked Whisky
Bourbon less than 2 years: Giant Texas Bourbon 91 Proof
Bourbon 2-5 years:
West Wind Bourbon
Do Good California Bourbon
Bourbon greater than 5 years: Devils River Bourbon
Bourbon NAS: Rock Town Single Barrel Bourbon
Corn greater than 2 years:
Balcones True Blue 100
A.D. Laws Bottled In Bond Straight Corn Whiskey
Malt Peated:
English Whisky Peated Single Malt
Glenora Ghleann Dubh
Malt Peated Finished:
Kilchoman Sanaig
Malt Unpeated Cask Finish:
Glengoyne 18 Year Old
Glengoyne 21 Year Old
Glendronach 12 Year Old
Malt Unpeated:
Glencadam 10 Year Old
Tipperary Distillery: Watershed
Rye less than 2 Years: Alley 6 Rye Whiskey
Rye greater than 2 years:
A.D Laws BIB Secale Straight Rye Whiskey
James E Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey
James E Pepper 1776 SRW -Sherry Cask Finish
Unaged: Ole Smoky Blue Flame Moonshine

2017 Silver Recipients:
American Single Malt: Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey
American Single Malt less than 2 Years: Alley 6 Single Malt Whiskey
Bourbon less than 2 years:
Merica Bourbon Whiskey
Ironroot Harbinger Bourbon
Lazy Guy Side Track Bourbon
Giant Texas Bourbon
Bourbon 2-5 years:
Do Good Nighthawk Bourbon
A.D. Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon
Breckenridge Sherry Cask Bourbon
R.M. Rose Single Barrel Brand
Bourbon greater than 5 years:
Ben Milam Single Barrel Bourbon
JR Ewing Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon NAS:
Rock Town Arkansas Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Old Forester Classic 86 Proof
Canadian:
Stalk & Barrel Blue Blend
WYO Rodeo Whisky
Corn less than 2 years:
Balcones Baby Blue
Lazy Guy Threesome Whiskey
Irish:
The Dubliner Irish Whiskey
Egan’s Vintage Grain
Malt Unpeated Cask Finish:
Glengoyne 15 Year Old
Malt Unpeated:
Glencadam 13 Year Old
Rice:
Ohishi Sherry Cask
Rye greater than 2 years:
Old Potrero Special Cask Finish
Ben Milam Small Batch Rye Whiskey
Henry Clay Straight Rye Whiskey
James E Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Barrel Proof
Rye NAS:
Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey
Basil Hayden’s Rye Whiskey
Rock Town Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Unaged: Lazy Guy Kennesaw Lightning
Corn greater than 2 years: Ironroot Icarus Corn Whiskey
Whiskey:
Alamo Craft Whiskey
Title 21 Whiskey
9 Banded Whiskey

The 2017 Bronze Recipients:
Bourbon less than 2 Years: Alamo Alamo Bourbon
Flavored: Do Good Hopped Flavored Whisky
Ole Smoky Mango Habanero Whiskey

Category Clarification:
Irish: Traditional Irish style which is triple distilled and a blend of Malt and grain whiskies. Malt whiskies from Ireland will not be in this category.
Cask Finished: Either matured in a non-bourbon cask, or finished in a non-bourbon cask or blended with a non-bourbon cask.
Join us for the upcoming Whiskies of the World Expos for a sixth time in Austin on Saturday, September 16th, in Houston on Thursday, September 14th and returning to Atlanta for a fifth time on Saturday, November 4th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.whiskiesoftheworld.com. Follow Whiskies of the World on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Whiskies of the World LLC: Whiskies of the World LLC, an IWSC Group North America event, began in San Francisco, CA in 1998. Under the direction of whisky enthusiast and event director, Douglas Smith, the event has expanded into Texas and Georgia. The IWSC Group is a global leader of alcoholic beverage events, including the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Eli and Ashley Parker Confirm Spring Opening of The Bear and Star in Los Olivos

March 22, 2017 by evebushman

Chef John Cox’ Refined Ranch Cuisine is Founded on the Rich Ecosystem of the Parker Ranch in Foxen Canyon

Wagyu Cattle, Chicken, Quail, Pigs and Produce Raised on the Ranch to Supply the Restaurant

LOS OLIVOS, California; March 2017 – Eli and Ashley Parker of the Parker Hospitality Family announce their restaurant, The Bear and Star, opening in April 2017 at 2860 Grand Avenue in Los Olivos, the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. The restaurant features refined ranch cuisine inspired by the Santa Ynez Valley and the heritage of the Parker family.

15844713_1310824712314175_6629638173887395214_o Leading the culinary team is celebrated Chef/Partner John Cox, who earned accolades for his work at Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. Cox is supported by the talents of Santa Barbara native Chef Jeremy Tummel and Sous Chef Trent Shank. Overseeing the restaurant and beverage program is General Manager Andrew Scherer.

The Bear and Star refined ranch cuisine model is intrinsically intertwined to the 714 acre Fess Parker Home Ranch located seven miles away on Foxen Canyon. 75 head of Wagyu cattle are raised and finished with the spent grains and pomace from the family brewery and winery. Also raised on the ranch are chickens, quail, rabbits, pigs, and bees, and a number of heirloom fruits and organic vegetables for use at the restaurant. With this all-encompassing ecosystem developed under John Cox’s passion and vision, the Parker family links their lasting history and expertise in hospitality, wine-making, and ranching to the dining experience. Chef Cox’s extensive culinary background in both California and Texas – shared by founder Fess Parker – creates a style that is singular to The Bear and Star and the town of Los Olivos.

There are four distinct environments within the restaurant space: The Dining Room; Wine Room for local winemakers and private functions; Chef’s Room for classes and small dining groups; and the Bar/Lounge. Integral to the restaurant is the 30′ custom reverse-flow Texas smoker housed at the Home Ranch, the source for slow smoking and barbecuing many of the selections on the menu. Designed by Chef Cox, the mobile smoker is a self-contained wood-fired kitchen with a pizza oven, Big Green Egg, sink, onboard refrigeration and lighting.

Breakfast, lunch and brunch service takes place on the front terrace and cozy bar/lounge facing Grand Avenue where guests may observe the comings and goings of Los Olivos locals. The 50 seat dining room for evening service is a perfect blend of sophistication and rustic elegance. This space features jewel tones of garnet and ruby with lush oversized chairs and velvet banquettes accented with kilim pillows, dark barn wood floors and sleek marble surfaces. The design by Oliva Villaluz’s results in an elegantly casual feel designed to complement Chef Cox’s refined ranch menu.

“John and his team are incredibly talented and passionate about this ambitious project. Connecting the restaurant to our family ranch is something we’ve always dreamed about, and with John’s guidance, it’s finally coming to fruition. What a great fit with the Parkers,” states Eli Parker. “Ash and I are very excited to share the refined ranch cuisine concept with our Valley locals and visitors.”

The restaurant is open daily for breakfast from 7:00-10:30 a.m.; full day menu for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.and serves brunch on weekends from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Bar and Star Bar serves from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 midnight.

ABOUT THE FESS PARKER FAMILY:

Since the late 80s, the Parker family has focused their time, energy and resources on building a hospitality portfolio around the beauty and bounty of Santa Barbara County. The acquisition of 714 acres on the venerable Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in 1987 set the stage for the establishment of the Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard. With an emphasis on estate-grown Rhône varietals, the wines consistently earn 90+ point ratings from top wine critics around the world. The launch of The Bear and Star Restaurant, nestled within the Wine Country Inn, is the latest endeavor of this wine, food and hospitality-loving family enterprise.

The Bear and Star

2860 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, CA 93441

For updates on the opening the public can visit:

www.thebearandstar.com

follow The Bear and Star:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebearandstar

Twitter: TheBearAndStar

Instagram: @thebearandstar