Wedding Oak Winery Award-Winning Rosé Wine Is the Star of Summer

Our Castanet 2023 was recognized with a Grand Star Medal for Rosé and a Gold Medal at the 41st annual Lone Star International Wine Competition. A Grand Star is the highest award given to the wines with the best scores in each class at competition. It also was recognized with a Gold Medal scoring 94 at the 2024 Experience Rosé Wine Competition. Quite an achievement.

 

The Castanet 2023 follows in the footsteps of our 2022 vintage which also won prestigious awards. Our head winemaker, Van Johnson, made Castanet with Cinsault grapes grown by Garrett Kellermeier in the 20-acre Lilli of the Vine Vineyards in Lamesa, Texas in the Texas High Plains AVA. This is a beautiful rosé wine with an inviting bouquet of fresh strawberries, zesty Meyer lemon, and bright orange zest. This refreshing rosé is crisp and balanced with flavors of tangy lemons and sweet strawberries. Castanet has a touch of residual sugar that enhances the fruitiness without overwhelming the natural acidity that runs through a smooth and satisfying finish.

 

Our Grenache Rosé won a Double Gold with 98-point score at the 2024 Experience Rosé Wine Competition. That is an amazing honor.

 

The Grenache grapes for the 2023 Grenache Rosé were hand-harvested from the Mirasol Vineyards in Lampasas County in the Texas Hill Country AVA. The grapes underwent a 24-hour maceration period, allowing the skins to impart a delicate copper hue and a range of aromatic and flavor complexities to the juice. It has captivating aromas of yuzu sorbet, honeysuckle, and fresh strawberries, complemented by hints of pomegranate and wet slate. The wine has a refreshing medley of strawberry, pineapple, and grapefruit flavors, with subtle undertones of rose water and ginger. A distinct minerality, reminiscent of crushed granite, adds depth and complexity to the finish. This Rosé is perfect for enjoying during warm afternoons with light salads, seafood, or simply sipping on its own.

 

 

The 2024 Experience Rosé Wine Competition, held June 11-12, is the largest rosé competition in the U.S. It is in its seventh year of identifying excellence in rosé wine, domestic and international, all styles. Experience Rosé was founded to help curious consumers confidently explore this emergent fine wine category. The prestigious international wine competition drew hundreds of rosé wine submissions from wineries around the world. Wines were scored by an expert panel of judges which included winemakers, sommeliers, retail buyers, wine educators, and journalists.

 

The Lone Star International Wine Competition, hosted by the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) June 12–13 in Grapevine, Texas, is the oldest international wine competition in Texas. It plays an important role in elevating the status of the Texas wine industry, promoting its growth, and ensuring its wines are recognized for their quality and uniqueness. The competition provides a showcase to recognize the quality and diversity of one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the United States by promoting outstanding wines from Texas and other wine-growing regions.

 

This year there were more than 350 unique wine entries from more than 70 unique companies in the competition. Wedding Oak wines were evaluated in a blind judging process that considered each entry’s appearance, aroma, body, taste, and finish. 

 

Altogether, Wedding Oak Winery earned 10 medals at the competition. We are pleased to highlight two additional top medal winners:

 

Our Teroldego 2022 was named Best in Category and awarded a Gold Medal at the Lone Star International Wine Competition. It is a rich red wine made with grapes grown in the Diamante Dos Vineyard. The wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French Oak neutral barrels. It offers a complex and enticing aromatic profile with notes of menthol, tobacco, and leather, with hints of prune, orange zest, blueberry, dill, and star anise. The Teroldego has rich flavors of blackberry, dried cranberry, and black plum, complemented by nuances of nutmeg and almond skin. The tannins are well-integrated, providing structure and balance to the wine. It is delicious when paired with cured meats and dishes that include bacon or guanciale.

 

Red Wind is a delightful red blend made with Tannat, Montepulciano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, and Primitivo grown in five different vineyards in the Texas High Plains. The 2022 Red Wind boasts a complex and intriguing aromatic profile with notes of sweet tobacco, charcoal, and bacon fat, complemented by herbal hints of bay leaf, thyme, and oregano. Underlying these are fruity and spicy accents of strawberry and cinnamon. The wine reveals vibrant flavors of red cherries and cassis, enriched by floral notes of violet and a subtle hint of pine. The tannins are well-integrated, providing structure and balance. It pairs well with grilled meats, hearty pastas, and rich cheeses, or enjoyed on its own to appreciate its depth and complexity.

 

It is rewarding to have our wines honored and our winery’s commitment to quality, terroir, and winemaking craftsmanship recognized. We invite you to visit any of our three tasting rooms to taste our award-winning wines while supplies last:

Cheers to your summer enjoyment of these exceptional award-winning wines.