Largest Wine Festival in the Southwest U.S. – September 16,17,18 and 19, 2021 –Highlighted Texas Wines during the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS (September 27, 2021) – A signature GrapeFest event, the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, is the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation. Guests had the opportunity to sample Texas wines from more than 30 Texas wineries pouring more than 130 wines at the 35th Annual GrapeFest -a Texas Wine Experience. The competition offered eleven 90-minute sessions throughout the weekend, with wines being judged in 10 categories. More than 5,600 people participated in this event between Thursday, September 16 and Sunday, September 19. Winners were announced and awards were presented on Sunday, September 19 at 5 p.m. in the People’s Choice Pavilion.
As the fifth-largest wine producing state in the United States, the Lone Star State’s sunny, dry climate has is ideal for wine production. The first vineyard established in North America began deep in the heart of Texas when in 1662 Franciscan priests planted the first vines. European settlers later planted grapevine cuttings and further developed the Texas wine industry through the 1800s. Today Texas is home to more than 4,000 acres of producing vineyard farmland across diverse wine-growing regions and its wine industry contribute $13.1 Billion of cconomic value to the state of Texas.
Texas wineries in attendance at the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic included: 4R Ranch Vineyards & Winery, Llano Estacado Winery, Bingham Family Vineyards, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard, Lost Oak Winery, Bluff Dale Vineyards, Lucky Vines Vineyard & Winery
Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyard, Messina Hof Winery, Cassaro Winery & Vineyard, O’Farrell Country
Vineyards, Checkered Past Winery, Rancho Loma Vineyards, Descarado Winery, Red Road Vineyard Winery, Deschain Cellars, Silver Dollar Winery, Domaine des Hospitalieres LLC/H-Wines, Tara Vineyard & Winery, LLC, Firelight Vineyards, Texas Legato Winery, Four I’s Winery, Valle della Pace Vineyards & Winery, Haak Vineyards and Winery, Watson Vineyard, Landon Winery and White Fox Vineyards.
“The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic has been a wonderful opportunity to see people again after such a strange year, and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate Texas wine. GrapeFest is a great opportunity to be able to see a lot of Texas wine, and People’s Choice has been phenomenal to be able to introduce so new people to the industry and the exciting things that we have going on,” said Karen Bonarrigo, Messina Hof Chief Administrative Officer.
“This was a unique People’s Choice because we’re back and everybody seemed excited to be back,”
Sonya Terpening, Wine Pouring Society President said. “We had some of the best and unique Texas wines represented with a number of new wineries we have never had at People’s Choice before, so the public had a chance to taste and enjoy some very unique wines.”
White: Dry
- Gold: Bingham Family Vineyards
- Silver: Blue Ostrich Winery
- Bronze: Firelight Vineyards
White: Off Dry
- Gold: Messina Hof Winery
- Silver: Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
- Bronze: Bluff Dale Vineyards
White: Sweet
- Gold: Landon Winery
- Silver: Texas Legato
- Bronze: Blue Ostrich Winery
White: Blends
- Gold: Silver Dollar Winery
- Silver: Llano Estacado Winery
- Bronze: Rancho Loma Vineyards
Blush/Rosé
- Gold: Messina Hof Winery
- Silver: Silver Dollar Winery
- Bronze: Checkered Past Winery
Red: Light
- Gold: Messina Hof Winery
- Silver: Blue Ostrich Winery
- Bronze: Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyards
Red: Medium
- Gold: Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyards
- Silver: Landon Winery
- Bronze: Cassaro Winery & Vineyards
Red: Bold
- Gold: Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyards
- Silver Blue Ostrich Winery
- Bronze: Messina Hof Winery
Red: Sweet
- Gold: Red Road Vineyard
- Silver: Bingham Family Vineyards
- Bronze: Firelight Vineyards
Red: Blends
- Gold: Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyards
- Silver: Landon Winery
- Bronze: Bluff Dale Vineyards
ABOUT GRAPEFEST – TEXAS WINE. COME AND TASTE IT!
GrapeFest is a celebration of Texas wines. Home to more than 400 wineries and 4,400 acres of vineyards producing nearly three million gallons of Texas wine each year, Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the United States. Grapevine is home to the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association and Texas’ premier Urban Wine Trail, featuring a variety of award-winning winery tasting rooms. In 2022 the 36th Annual GrapeFest will take place September 15,16,17 and 18.
ABOUT BANK OF THE WEST
Bank of the West is proud to be an Independent Community Bank, headquartered in Grapevine and serving North Texas for more than three decades, helping to create flourishing communities by putting your dollars to work LOCALLY…with decisions made LOCALLY. Bank of the West, Member FDIC, is the Presenting Sponsor of the 35th Annual GrapeFest – A Texas Wine Experience.
ABOUT GRAPEVINE, TEXAS
Historic Grapevine, Texas, centrally located between Fort Worth and Dallas, is the premier go-to destination when planning a getaway or vacation in North Texas! Step back in time on Historic Downtown Main Street with a collection of charming boutiques, art galleries and bistros and cafes. Enjoy fantastic hotels and resorts, great attractions for the entire family, a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, exquisite winery tasting rooms, world-class shopping and much more. For more information, visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com
