Press Release
William Chris Wine Co, a leading voice for Texas wine, has just received a record number of top medals in the 2026 TEXSOM Awards, announced last week. For the first time ever, William Chris Wine Co. earned one Judge’s Selection, the award selection’s highest honor, with an additional four platinum medals. Uplift Vineyard, the premium label under the William Chris brand family, made exclusively from the top estate grapes grown in the vineyard’s 55 acres in Burnet, TX, took the top standings with a Judge’s Selection for their 2024 Sangiovese and three of the four platinum medals. William Chris Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, Texas High Plains, also earned a platinum medal.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from TEXSOM this year. These wines reflect our commitment to producing high-quality wines that are expressive of both site and vintage. To receive multiple high scores, along with a Judge’s Selection, is an achievement we are deeply proud of. It affirms that we are accomplishing what we set out to do, and we’re excited to share our work on a broader stage. We’re also proud to contribute to the growing conversation around Texas wine and look forward to what’s ahead for the industry,” shares Claire Richardson, Winemaker, Uplift Vineyard.
The 2026 TEXSOM Awards gave two Golds to William Chris Vineyards, as well for William Chris Vineyards, 2023 Mourvèdre, Texas High Plains, and Wine For the People, Red Wine, Non-Vintage.
The 2026 TEXSOM Awards enlisted the expertise and wisdom of 19 judges from around the country and a professional production team to ensure accuracy and care for every beverage entered for evaluation. This year, TEXSOM Awards marked its 41st year of competitions and celebrated 11 years under the TEXSOM name.
“We’re intentional about where we show our wines and deeply value the perspective of TEXSOM—where some of the most respected sommeliers in the country, and increasingly the world, lend their judgment. Recognition here carries weight. This year’s results reflect the people behind the work. Across Uplift, William Chris Vineyards, Wine For the People, and La Valentia, our production teams continue to raise the bar—thoughtfully, consistently, and with a clear sense of place. I’m particularly proud of the Texas High Plains Mourvèdre and Cabernet. These wines are not only benchmarks for what Texas can do, but they’re also showing up where it matters—on wine lists across the state and beyond through our partners at JB Maverick. It’s meaningful to see Texas wines earning their place at the table,” adds Chris Brundrett, Co-founder, William Chris Wine Company.
In November 2025, William Chris Vineyards was named one of the World’s 50 Best Vineyards, earning a place among the most celebrated wine destinations in the world at Number 31 on the list. The Hill Country estate is the first and only Texas winery to make the list, marking a defining moment for Texas wine and its growing recognition on a global stage.
Founded in 2008 by Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett, William Chris has become a leader in Texas wine through a “grown, not made” philosophy that honors Texas fruit, Texas growers, and the communities that support them. The award from the World’s Best Vineyards Academy — made up of more than 700 respected wine and travel experts worldwide — recognizes the estate’s quality, sense of place, sustainable practices, and exceptional hospitality.
Recently, William Chris Wine Company launched Rebecca Caroline, a new sparkling wine brand crafted to showcase traditional winemaking methods and celebrate Texas terroir. In early summer, the team will be opening the Rebecca Caroline Tasting Room in the historical Hye Post Office on Highway 290, where President Lyndon B. Johnson swore in his postmaster general in 1965. The space will blend Texas heritage with a refined, whimsical aesthetic — honoring the building’s postal past while creating a sparkling-forward destination designed for gathering, celebration, and connection.
2026 TEXSOM Awards
Uplift Vineyard, 2024 Sangiovese, Texas, Judges’ Selection Medal
Uplift Vineyard, 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, Texas, Platinum Medal
Uplift Vineyard, 2024 Grenache, Texas, Platinum Medal
Uplift Vineyard, 2024 Marsanne, Texas, Platinum Medal
William Chris Vineyards, 2023 Texas High Plains Cabernet Sauvignon, Platinum Medal
William Chris Vineyards, 2023 Texas High Plains Mourvèdre, Gold Medal
Wine For the People, Red Wine, Texas, Non-Vintage, Gold Medal
See all the Texas winery results from the 2026 TEXSOM Awards.
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