Texas Wines Gain Global Acclaim

**Texas Wines Toast Global Recognition as Haak Clinches Top Rodeo Award**

SANTA FE, Texas – Texas wines are emphatically carving out a formidable reputation on the global stage, shedding their image as a regional curiosity and consistently proving their world-class quality. This ascent was dramatically underscored last month when Haak Vineyards & Winery, based in Santa Fe, clinched the coveted Grand Champion Best of Show for their 2022 Blanc Du Bois Dry at the prestigious 2024 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition.

The victory for Haak’s Blanc Du Bois is more than just a local triumph. This specific varietal, grown in Alvin, Texas, has been a global powerhouse, securing a Gold medal at the Concours Mondial du Vin in Belgium and Critiques Points Forts in France, both in 2023. It also earned a Bronze from the UK’s highly respected Decanter World Wine Awards that same year, firmly establishing its international pedigree.

“This award at the Houston Rodeo Uncorked! competition, especially for our Blanc Du Bois, is incredibly validating,” said Raymond Haak, owner and winemaker at Haak Vineyards & Winery. “It’s a testament not only to our team’s dedication but also to the unique terroir of the Texas Gulf Coast and the incredible potential of hybrid grapes like Blanc Du Bois to produce truly exceptional, award-winning wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”

Haak Vineyards’ success was not a singular event at the competition. The winery also took home Top Texas Wine and Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show for their 2021 Tempranillo, crafted from grapes grown in the acclaimed Texas High Plains AVA. This double win highlights the versatility and quality across Haak’s portfolio and across diverse Texas growing regions.

The momentum extends far beyond Haak. Esteemed Texas wineries like Messina Hof in Bryan and Kiepersol in Tyler are consistently grabbing significant accolades, earning multiple Gold and Best of Class medals across various national and international competitions. Messina Hof, a pioneer in the Texas wine industry, has long been a standard-bearer, while Kiepersol continues to impress with its estate-grown offerings.

This string of successes, from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition to the prestigious TEXSOM International Wine Awards, is cementing Texas’s reputation as a serious, high-quality wine-producing state. It’s challenging long-held perceptions, showing that specific grape varietals, like the Spanish-native Tempranillo, Italian Sagrantino, classic Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and of course, the resilient Blanc Du Bois, are thriving in diverse Texas AVAs such as the High Plains, Hill Country, and Gulf Coast. These wines are consistently impressing international judges with their distinct character and quality.

“The quality coming out of Texas vineyards is no longer a surprise; it’s an expectation,” noted Sarah Davies, a Master Sommelier and seasoned judge at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards. “The state’s unique microclimates and innovative winemaking techniques are allowing varietals to express themselves in ways that are truly captivating. The High Plains, in particular, is proving to be an exceptional region for big reds, while the Gulf Coast is showcasing the brilliance of grapes like Blanc Du Bois.”

The Texas wine industry, which has grown significantly over the past two decades to include hundreds of wineries, is experiencing a boom in both production and tourism. These international accolades are expected to further drive interest and investment in the state’s burgeoning wine regions, encouraging more visitors to explore the unique flavors and experiences Texas has to offer.

With a growing number of medals, a deepening understanding of its diverse terroirs, and a commitment to quality, Texas is unequivocally earning its respect and a permanent seat at the global wine table through consistent, award-winning excellence.