Bending Branch Winery Wins Appellation America Awards

Bending Branch Winery has been awarded three Best of Appellation Double Gold Medals and one Gold Medal for four Texas wines from Appellation America, an online source of information on North American wines and wineries. Its Best-of-Appellation program recognizes the distinctive character and “sense of place” of wines produced in different regions and appellations.

“Being recognized for Best of Appellation (BOA) wines for four different varietals grown in Texas is a milestone for Bending Branch Winery,” said Robert Young, MD, a founder of Bending Branch and co-winemaker along with John Rivenburgh. “We are particularly thrilled that our Estate Tannat and Picpoul Blanc achieved BOA recognition.”

Bending Branch won a total of four Best of Appellation Double Gold Medals, signifying exceptional expression of regional character/quality, including the following three Texas wines:

• 2012 Picpoul Blanc, Estate (Texas Hill Country) – bright acidity dances on your palate with tastes of tropical fruits and sweet citrus layered with hints of honey and cream
• 2011 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards (Texas High Plains) – often referred to as the noble grape of Spain, Tempranillo has earned its accolades as one of the preeminent red varieties of Texas. It has classic notes of espresso grounds, sweet pipe tobacco, with rich bing cherry and raspberry notes.
• 2011 Tannat, Estate (Texas Hill Country) – Tannat, a Southern French native, is a signature grape for Bending Branch, offering black cherry and raspberry flavors and hints of white pepper and Indian spice.
• Bending Branch also was awarded a BOA Double Gold for its NV Souzao, Silvaspoons Vineyard, AVA Alta Meza, in Lodi, California

Its 2011 Mourvèdre, Reddy Vineyards (Texas High Plains), won a Best of Appellation Gold Medal. The Mourvèdre has a nose of violets and rich dark berry fruits, and raspberry and rhubarb flavors complimented by star anise, vanilla and chai spices.

“Every Texas winery acknowledges that Bob Young and John Rivenburgh are leading the charge in the growing excellence of Texas wines,” said Clark Smith, author of Postmodern Winemaking.  “Rather than sheepishly following the received wisdom from California, they apply thorough study to the suitability of novel varieties and new technologies, and then follow up with courageous investments of both capital and attention to detail. Realizing that the perceived quality of all local wines is critical to their success, their experiments are geared to benefit the whole industry throughout Texas. Appellation America.com has rated its Estate Tannat and Picpoul Blanc and the Texas High Plains Tempranillo among the best wines produced in America.”

Bending Branch Winery, a boutique winery near Comfort, Texas in the Texas Hill Country AVA, is a sustainable practices and organically focused operation with 20 acres of vines comprising 16 grape varieties, including its signature varieties Tannat and Picpoul Blanc. It produces wines from both Texas and California appellations.

For more information about Bending Branch Winery, visit the website at www.bendingbranchwinery.com. For a list of BOA wines click on BOA wine list at www.appellationamerica.com.