One of only four Texas wineries to win Gold Medal at prestigious competition
June 18, 2026 (Spicewood, TX) — Spicewood Vineyards, one of Texas’ pioneering wineries, announces its 2022 Las Montañas has been awarded a Gold Medal and scored 95 points at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), recognized as the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. The Spicewood Vineyards Las Montañas is one of only four Texas wines to win a Gold Medal at this year’s competition and one of just 32 Gold-winning wines from the entire United States.
“This is our first time to enter the globally recognized Decanter World Wine Awards and we could not be more proud to represent Texas with this top award,” said Ron Yates, owner of Spicewood Vineyards and sister winery Ron Yates. “We are also one of the state’s most passionate believers in Tempranillo as a top red grape for Texas so it is only fitting that one of our Tempranillo blends received this recognition.”
The 2022 Las Montañas was also recognized this year with a Gold medal at the 2026 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition.
A blend of Tempranillo (75%) with Petit Verdot (25%), the Las Montañas was aged for 32 months in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral oak. Made from grapes from Dell Valley Vineyards, one of the highest elevation vineyards in Texas, the Las Montañas has aromas of black pepper and black cherries with notes of raspberries and black slate. It retails for $41.99.
In addition to winning Gold for Las Montañas, Spicewood Vineyards earned additional high scores at the 2026 competition, including:
- Silver, 94 points – 2020 Good Guy
- Bronze – 2024 Grenache Rosé
- Bronze – 2023 Cabernet Franc
- Bronze – 2021 Black Label Tempranillo
Now in its 23rd year, the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards evaluated more than 17,000 wines by an elite panel of 245 global experts, including 24 Master Sommeliers and 63 Masters of Wine.
This honor is just one of many for Spicewood Vineyards, which has earned top awards at recent international competitions including:
- 2026 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition: Gold/Reserve Class Champion and Texas Class Champion for its 2022 Tempranillo, Dutton Vineyards; Gold/Texas Class Champion for its 2023 Cabernet Franc; and Gold for its 2024 Grenache Rosé and 2022 Las Montañas
- 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Double Gold for its 2024 Estate Grenache Rosé and Golds for its 2022 Tenny Wren and 2023 Cabernet Franc
About Spicewood Vineyards
Spicewood Vineyards is one of the first Texas Hill Country wineries, established in 1992 and purchased by Ron Yates in 2007. It produces estate wines from 32 acres and a nearby 10-acre vineyard in Round Mountain. With a passion for Spanish varieties including Tempranillo, Graciano and Carignan, Spicewood Vineyards is also recognized for its estate Sauvignon Blanc. Spicewood Vineyards winemakers are Reagan Sivadon and Joshua Fritsche.
For more information, go to SpicewoodVineyards.com.
