Pilot Knob and Pedernales Cellars win medals at TEXSOM

These are some press releases we have received after the 2015 TEXSOM International Wine Awards were announced.

PILOT KNOB VINEYARD AND WINERY WINS THREE MEDALS IN ITS FIRST-EVER TEXSOM COMPETITION

(BERTRAM, TEXAS) – Pilot Knob Vineyard and Winery is pleased to announce that in its debut TEXSOM competition, the winery was awarded medals for three of its flagship wines – a silver medal for its 2014 Viognier, and bronze medals for its 2014 PK Cuvee and 2013 Franco Rojo Reserve.

The Dallas-based wine competition, which has evolved in its 30-plus-year history to become one of the top wine competitions in the United States, received more than 3600 international entrants this year.

“We’re honored to have won medals for our wines, especially given TEXSOM’s reputation as one of the premiere wine competitions in Texas, and indeed, in the nation,” said Pilot Knob co-owner and winemaker Craig Pinkley. “We look forward to future TEXSOM competitions and the opportunity to impress the judges with the wines we’re currently readying for release.”

All three wines are currently part of the winery’s tasting room rotations. While the Viognier is a single-grape varietal, the PK Cuvee is a blend incorporating 40% Viognier, 40% Chenin Blanc, and 20% Muscat Blanc, while the Franco Rojo Reserve blends 75% Tempranillo, 12.5% Merlot, and 12.5% Petite Sirah and is aged in French Oak barrels.

Pilot Knob plans to bottle three new varietals next month – its 2014 Chardonnay, its 2014 Viognier Reserve (which is slightly aged in acacia wood barrels, as was the 2013 Viognier Reserve, which won a Grand Star Award at last year’s Lone Star International Wine Competition), and its 2014 Sweet Rose. Pilot Knob will also release the latest version of its highly-regarded Cabernet Sauvignon later this year.

For more information about Pilot Knob, its wines, and its tastings and special events, visit the winery’s official website at www.pilotknobvineyard.com.

PEDERNALES CELLARS WINS FOUR GOLD MEDALS AT 2015 TEXSOM COMPETITION; TEMPRANILLO, VERMENTINO, AND VIOGNIER HONORED

(STONEWALL, TEXAS) – Pedernales Cellars is proud to announce that four of its wines – its 2012 Texas Tempranillo and Tempranillo Reserve, 2014 Texas Vermentino, and 2014 Texas Viognier – all received gold medals at the 2015 TEXSOM International Wine Awards.

The newly-branded Dallas-based wine competition, which has evolved in its 30-plus-year history to become one of the top wine competitions in the United States, received more than 3600 international entrants this year. The wines were tasted by a panel of nearly 70 distinguished judges, many of whom participate in the annual TEXSOM conference at Las Colinas.

“We are excited to see gold medals in not only our flagship varietals such as Tempranillo and Viognier, but also for the Vermentino, which is a first-time release,” said David Kuhlken. “It is continued proof that a focus on the right varietals and winemaking practices for our region can produce world class wines made from Texas grapes.”

The winery also received silver medals for its 2013 Texas Tempranillo Reserve and 2012 Texas GSM.

“TEXSOM is one of the most important wine competitions in the state, and we’re pleased that we received this level of recognition competing with wineries across the nation and around the world,” said Julie Kuhlken, co-owner and communications director for Pedernales Cellars. “It’s notable that both versions of our Tempranillo, which have their own distinct qualities, fared equally well with the judges, and we’re pleased that our newest varietal, Vermentino, was so well received.”

The Tempranillo Reserve is one of the wines in current rotation in the tasting room, and there are plans to add the Vermentino later in the year, after its official release this spring. For more information about Pedernales Cellars and its wines, please visit the winery’s website at www.pedernalescellars.com.