2022 Jefferson Cup Invitational – Texas Results

The 23^rd Annual Jefferson Cup Invitational took place on November 18, 2022, in Mission, Kansas. The Jefferson Cup is a different sort of wine competition, in that it is an invitational in which 575 wines are pre-selected which exemplify top viticulture and winemaking throughout America. Four Texas wines won a Jefferson Cup.

• Pedernales Cellars Grenache 2020, Texas High Plains
• Pedernales Cellars Block Zero 2018, Bell Mountain
• Ron Yates Friesen Blend 2019, Texas High Plains
• Spicewood Vineyards Tandem 2019, Texas High Plains

Out of 575 participating wines, the judges selected just 90 wines to receive the Bronze Medals, honoring wines exemplary of their regions and varieties, 274 wines received Silver Medals, and the judges found 88 wines to be worthy of Gold Medals and 26 being granted Double Gold Medals. These are truly great wines, reflecting our goal of finding and praising wines of true American excellence.

The 57 Jefferson Cup Nominees included wines from 14 states. They were tasted by the entire group of 18 judges. Out of those honored wines, the judges collectively picked 40 wines to be awarded the Jefferson Cup. And by selecting both vinifera and non-vinifera wines for the Jefferson Cup each year, the goal is to respect the diversity of American viticulture and Jefferson’s own acceptance of native varieties and hybrids.

“In most other competitions there is ‘open’ seating,” says Frost,” and California represents 90% of the entries. As a result, it usually captures 90% of the honors,” he said. “What we are doing is following Mr. Jefferson’s example and allowing every quality wine-producing region in America a place at our table. Each year we select great wines from across America; the 2022 competition included wines from 24 states.”

Following the Jefferson Cup competition, the remaining wines are donated for an annual event that benefits children and adults in need. This year the Jefferson Cup raised more than $200,000 for AngelFlight Central (www.angelflightcentral.org). In more than a decade of assisting AngelFlight Central, the Jefferson Cup has raised nearly two million dollars.

Here are the Texas winery results:

Winery	Wine	Award
McPherson Cellars	Picpoul Blanc 2021 Texas	Gold
McPherson Cellars	Mourvedre Block Select 2019 Texas High Plains	Silver
McPherson Cellars	Sangiovese 2019 Texas High Plains	Silver
McPherson Cellars	Mourvedre Rose 2021 Texas	Silver
Pedernales Cellars	Grenache 2020 Texas High Plains	Jefferson Cup
Pedernales Cellars	Block Zero 2018 Bell Mountain	Jefferson Cup
Pedernales Cellars	Viognier Reserve 2021 Texas High Plains	Bronze
Pedernales Cellars	Valhalla 2019 Texas High Plains	Gold
Pedernales Cellars	Tempranillo Reserve 2019 Texas	Silver
Pedernales Cellars	Vermentino 2021 Texas High Plains	Silver
Red Caboose Winery	Some of the Red Texas (?)	Silver
Ron Yates	Friesen Blend 2019 Texas High Plains	Jefferson Cup
Ron Yates	Merlot 2019 Texas High Plains	Bronze
Ron Yates	The Good Guy 2019 Texas High Plains	Gold
Ron Yates	Amalgamation 2018 Texas High Plains	Gold
Ron Yates	Tempranillo 2019 Texas High Plains	Silver
Ron Yates	Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Texas High Plains	Silver
Spicewood Vineyards	Tandem 2019 Texas High Plains	Jefferson Cup
Spicewood Vineyards	The Good Guy 2018 Texas Hill Country	Bronze
Spicewood Vineyards	Tempranillo Black Label 2019 Texas High Plains	Gold
Spicewood Vineyards	Tempranillo Estate 2019 Texas High Plains	Gold
Spicewood Vineyards	The Independence 2019 Texas High Plains	Gold
Spicewood Vineyards	Syrah 2018 Texas Hill Country	Silver
Spicewood Vineyards	Tempranillo Red Label 2019 Texas High Plains	Silver
Spicewood Vineyards	Cabernet Claret 2019 Texas High Plains	Silver
Texas Hills Vineyard	Syrah Estate 2015 Texas Hill Country	Bronze
Texas Hills Vineyard	Sangiovese Newsom Vineyrd 2015 Texas Hill Country	Silver
Texas Hills Vineyard	Kick Butt Cabernet Sauvignon Newsom Vineyard 2016 Tex	Silver
Torr Na Lochs Vineyards	Malbec 2019 Texas	Silver
Torr Na Lochs Vineyards	Petite Sirah 2019 Texas	Silver