October 13, 2025 — On Friday October 3, 2025, The ‘Doc’ McPherson Award was presented in Fredericksburg, Texas, at Cabernet Grill to Ross and Mariana Burtwell, Proprietors of Cabernet Grill.
The ‘Doc’ McPherson Award is presented annually by the SAGMOR FOUNDATION on behalf of its board and The McPherson Family. This very special award honors industry pioneer, Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson, and is presented, “In Recognition of Outstanding and Continuous Work in, and Support of The Texas Wine Industry.”
Owner, winemaker and son of Doc McPherson, on behalf of Sagmor Foundation and the McPherson Family, Kim McPherson presented the award to the Burtwells, who he has known for many years. “When the committee thinks about nominees, we think about ‘impact.’ This year, we started thinking about how much impact a restaurant can have on our industry with placement of Texas wines on the menu. There is one restaurant that stands above the rest when it comes to promoting Texas wines. And that restaurant is right here in Fredericksburg: Cabernet Grill. Ross and Mariana Burtwell have for many years poured Texas wines – exclusively – to patrons from all over the world! They have been ambassadors for Texas wines, as well as fans. I am personally very excited to present this much-deserved award to these two successful restaurateurs, and truly great people,” stated Mr. McPherson.
Ross and Mariana Burtwell have together led Cabernet Grill in Fredericksburg, Texas since 2002. The Texas Hill Country restaurant has been named one of the top-10 restaurants in the country; their wine menu features Texas wines, exclusively.
The “’Doc’ McPherson Award” is overseen and managed by Sagmor Foundation. Each year the awardee receives an award certificate and a vine from the State of Texas ‘historic place,’ Sagmor Vineyard – the McPherson’s estate vineyard, planted by ‘Doc’ McPherson in 1969.
Learn more about The Doc McPherson Award HERE. Additional information about SAGMORFOUNDATION can be found HERE.
