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Proudly presented by Texas Monthly in partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program. Explore the rich world of Texan winemaking as we embark on the third annual wine competition, showcasing the finest wines the state has to offer.

Texas Monthly and the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program proudly present our second annual wine competition, a celebration of the diverse and extraordinary wines cultivated in the heart of Texas.

In anticipation of Texas Wine Month in October, Texas Monthly teamed up with the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wine program to orchestrate a wine competition unlike any other in the state—the inaugural Texas Vintners Cup 2021. The goal was to select twelve bottles that represent the best wines Texas is producing now.

The Texas International Wine Competition (TXIWC) was founded by Bonnie Villacampa, an international wine judge and co-founder of Baron de Villacampa, a wine brand from the Rioja region in Spain. Ms. Villacampa aspired to bring an international wine competition to the Texas Hill Country, and the Texas International Wine Competition was born. The mission of the TXIWC is to bring attention to Texas as a prominent viticulture and wine-making region while also raising money for charitable causes.

The American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC) mission is built on passion and to show the world that the wines produced in the US are some of the finest. AFWC recognizes the best wines produced in America and fervently shares that information with the public. Many wineries are small and boutique, many are mom and pop operations who don’t have the wherewithal to get their name out. AFWC finds these wineries, taste these wines, brings them to the competition and shares them with the public.

The Raise A Glass Foundation (RAGF) was created to support charities around the world. Many nonprofit organizations aiming to save and improve the lives of adults and children struggle to put on galas and fundraisers. Raise A Glass provides these organizations with award-winning wines, beers, and spirits for use in fundraising events, by hosting international wine, beer and spirit competitions. Following a competition, all unopened bottles are donated to a designated charity.

In 2005, James Tidwell MS and Drew Hendricks MS launched a conference for sommeliers— one with a vision of promoting professional wine service standards, outlining paths for further wine education and certification, and raising public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. From humble beginnings, that conference (TEXSOM) has become the leading sommelier conference in the world and draws nearly 1,300 of the wine industry’s most influential leaders to Dallas each year.

The 38th San Francisco International Wine Competition was held November 17 through November 19, 2018. With entries from countries all around the world, 59 judges tasted over 4,500 wines. Blue Ostrich Winery won the Best Viognier of the competition. Seven Texas wineries won Double Gold medals with Becker Vineyards winning two Double Golds. One of the seven wineries was Sister Creek Vineyards getting a Double Gold with a Temecula Valley wine.