2021 Austin County Fair Non-Commercial Wine Show Accepting Entries from Texas

Texas’ only County Fair sanctioned non-commercial wine competition returns with the Austin County Fair on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021. Coordinated by the Gulf Coast Winegrowers Association, the annual Austin County Fair Wine Show will be held in the American Legion Hall located on the fairgrounds near the Hwy 529 entrance gate. Closed Judging begins at 1:00 p.m. and following the judging, the public is invited to the awards presentation and tastings of the submitted wines with the winemakers. Fair admission is free that day.

The Wine Show will accept entries from non-commercial wine makers from Austin and other Texas counties. Wines can be submitted in 10 classifications including Dry and Sweet Reds and Whites, Fruit/Berry, Dessert/Port/Sherry, Native Grape, Blush/Rosé, and Dry and Sweet Kit wines.

In blind tastings (other than a wines classification, a wine’s information is not disclosed to judges), entries will be judged by a panel of wine educators, industry professionals, and other non-partial individuals. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to each class’s winners and Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, and Austin County Grand Champion belt buckles will be awarded.

Entry fees with proceeds benefitting the Austin County Fair Scholarship program are $10 per wine.

Entry Forms, Wine Show Rules with other entry information, and deadlines are available from the Austin County office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 800 East Wendt St Bellville, TX 77418 (Stacie Villareal, stacie.villarreal@tamu.edu, 979-865-2072).

Early Wine Show entries will be accepted from Oct. 4 – 8 between 8:30 a.m.-Noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the following locations:

• The Bellville Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Office
• Darst Ranch Vineyards, 981 Travis Rd, Bellville (Kenney), TX 77418 (Paul Darst, pauldarst@darstranchvineyards.com, 832-250-3568)

Day of Show entries (and entry forms/rules) will be accepted at the American Legion Hall on the Austin County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.