Submitted by Jennifer Swanson, Public Relations Manager, Big Thirst Marketing
At Wedding Oak Winery, we take pride in crafting wines of purpose that pay homage to the unique terroir and wine-growing conditions of Texas, and we are always thrilled when our craftsmanship is recognized at respected wine competitions. Wedding Oak Winery was awarded for excellence in winemaking and at the prestigious 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition with seven awards. As the largest competition of American wines, this event is a hallmark for vintners across the nation.
(Image courtesy of Wedding Oak Winery depicting their 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Gold Medal Winners)
A panel of more than fifty judges evaluated more than 5,500 wines from nearly 1,000 wineries in a blind tasting format at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, held this month. Renowned for its esteemed reputation in the industry, this competition serves as a stage where wineries showcase their finest creations. Wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and industry professionals converge to evaluate and honor the best of American wines. The competition not only reflects the dynamism and diversity of the North American wine landscape, but also provides a unique opportunity for wineries to benchmark their offerings against the highest standards of quality.
Wedding Oak Winery is pleased to announce our seven award-winning wines from the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Here are the top medal winners.
2021 Wedding Oak Winery Tempranillo — Best of Class (limited quantities)
The pinnacle of success was reached with the title of “Best of Class” awarded to our 2021 Tempranillo, solidifying status as an exceptional wine in its category at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This bold 100% Tempranillo using grapes grown at Good Vibe Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country offers a bold tannic structure and bright acidity with black fruit and smoke on the nose. This wine finishes with notes of black pepper and tart cherry. It pairs well with fatty meats such as roasted duck or Manchego cheese. A total of 146 cases were produced of this delicious Tempranillo, harvested in August, was aged in-barrel for eighteen months. It was also awarded a Gold medal at the Lone Star International Wine Competition.
2022 Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne — Double Gold (currently sold out!)
The Double Gold awarded to the 2022 Roussanne is a testament to its outstanding quality, making it a standout choice in the competition. Our beautiful oak-aged Roussanne is made using grapes from the Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains. With a pale golden hue, this Roussanne exudes elegance with enticing aromas of banana foster, tangy lime zest, and a touch of delicate honeycomb. On the palate, flavors of vibrant lemongrass take center stage, accompanied by the refreshing zest of grapefruit and a hint of ripe banana. The wine's higher acidity adds brightness, resulting in a crisp and satisfying mouthfeel. This wine was additionally recognized as the Top Texas White Wine at the 2023 San Antonio Rodeo. Our Roussanne also earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition last month, one of only five Texas wines so recognized.
2022 Wedding Oak Winery Riesling — Gold (currently sold out!)
The 2022 Riesling demonstrates our winery's prowess in producing exceptional white wines and captivates the senses. This selection was made using grapes from the Burch Family Vineyards in Texas High Plains. The aroma is filled with notes of tropical guava, luscious strawberry-kiwi, and a hint of bright lemon zest. On the palate, flavors of ripe apricot take center stage, accompanied by delicate hints of sweet honeysuckle and vibrant tangerine. The 10.8% ABV wine's semi-sweet profile strikes a perfect balance with its refreshing acidity, and a satisfying and well-rounded mouthfeel. We are thrilled to see this win Gold at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This wine has also been recognized as a “Texas Class Champion.”
2021 Wedding Oak Winery Sangiovese — Gold
Our 2021 Sangiovese secured a gold medal at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, affirming its place as a stellar representation of Wedding Oak Winery's commitment to excellence. The 2021 Sangiovese—with notes of almond, black pepper, cardamom, and black fruit and an aroma of baking spice, cocoa, and cherry—was aged in oak barrels (15% Hungarian Oak) for eighteen months and bottled at 14% ABV. We produced 422 cases. This wine also won a Gold medal and “Best In Category” at the Lone Star International Wine Competition.
2021 Wedding Oak Winery Primitivo — Gold (currently sold out!)
Our 2021 Primitivo earned the coveted gold medal, signifying excellence in both taste and craftsmanship. The grapes for this selection were picked from Cerro Santo Vineyards in the High Plains of Texas, and the wine was aged in oak for eighteen months. Our Primitivo is a big red wine with aromas of chocolate, smoke, and black plum to the nose, and notes of black currant, vanilla, and bourbon ball on the palate. It finishes with dark fruit and smooth tannins. Only 182 cases of this limited-production wine were produced. It also won “Best In Category” at the Lone Star International Wine Competition.
Our two other award-winning wines from the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition include our 2021 Wedding Oak Winery Red Wind (Silver) and our 2022 Wedding Oak Winery Castanet (Bronze). Our 2021 Red Wind wine is a Bordeaux-style blend bottled at 13.6% ABV, while our Castanet wine (which also won a Double Gold at the 2023 Experience Rose Wine Competition) is a dry rosé wine bottled at 12.9% ABV.
We are honored to have captured seven prestigious awards at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, each symbolizing our dedication to producing wines of distinction. We are thrilled to have our winery's commitment to quality, terroir, and winemaking craftsmanship recognized. We hope you taste our wines and see these awards as a reflection of our winery’s enduring commitment to producing wines that captivate the palate.
Order Wedding Oak Winery's award-winning wines online or visit our three tasting rooms to try our award-winning wines while supplies last:
- Wedding Oak Winery, 229 S. Pierce, Burnet, TX 78611
- Wedding Oak Winery, 6009B US 290 East Fredericksburg, TX, 78624
- Wedding Oak Winery, 316 East Wallace Street, San Saba, TX 76877
Cheers to exceptional wines, and to all the winners of this year’s 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition!