Texas wines are on fire in 2024! This year marks another record-breaking achievement for the Lone Star State, proving once again that Texas wines belong on the world stage. A staggering 105 Texas wineries took home a Gold medal or better at international wine competitions—an increase from last year—highlighting the growing recognition of Texas wines worldwide. And the numbers don’t stop there. Texas wineries won an incredible 635 Gold medals or higher, showcasing the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of wines produced right here in Texas.
So, why does it matter if a wine wins a Gold medal? Let’s break it down.
Why Wine Competitions Matter for Texas Wine
International wine competitions are highly respected, non-profit events where expert judges, sommeliers, and winemakers come together to evaluate wines blindly—meaning they don’t know the brand, label, or origin of the wine. Instead, they taste and score each wine purely on quality, balance, and expression of varietal character. If a wine scores 90 points or higher, it earns a Gold medal, putting it on the same playing field as the best wines from around the world.
This blind evaluation is especially important for Texas wine because it removes regional bias and allows our wines to be judged fairly against global standards. And guess what? Texas wines aren’t just holding their own—they’re winning!
In 2024, Texas wines won 100 Best in Class awards—meaning that not only did Texas wines win Gold, but they were also crowned as the best overall wine in their category across the competition. That’s a major accomplishment! See the full list of Best in Class Texas wines here.
The Most Awarded Texas Wines of 2024
Out of all the incredible wines that won big this year, these three wines stood out as the most awarded in their category:
Best Rosé: Wedding Oak Winery Castanet Texas High Plains 2023
Best White Wine: Ab Astris Winery Clairette Blanche Texas Hill Country Estate 2023
Best Red Wine: Bending Branch Winery Tannat Texas Hill Country Tallent Vineyards 2020
If you haven’t tried these wines yet, now’s the time! These award-winning bottles are expected to sell out quickly, so grab one before they’re gone.
Texas Wines Winning Big in Every Category
Texas is excelling in a wide variety of styles, proving our versatility as a wine-growing region. Some of the most awarded wine categories for 2024 include:
• Red Blends – Bold, complex, and perfectly balanced.
• Tempranillo – The rising star of Texas wine.
• Cabernet Sauvignon – Proving Texas can produce world-class Cabs.
• White Blends – Expressive, bright, and beautifully layered.
• Chardonnay – Texas Chardonnays are making waves.
• Viognier – A Texas white wine favorite.
• Roussanne – Elegant, textured, and winning big internationally.
The Top Award-Winning Texas Wineries of 2024
These wineries have consistently produced highly awarded wines across multiple categories, proving their dedication to quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. If you’re planning a Texas wine tour, these are the must-visit wineries for 2024:
- Becker Vineyards
- Wedding Oak Winery
- Messina Hof Winery
- Ron Yates Wines
- Llano Estacado
- Sandy Road Vineyards
- Ab Astris Winery
- Perissos Vineyards and Winery
- Driftwood Estate Winery
- Bending Branch Winery
- Hilmy Wines
- Adega Vinho
Check out the list of the Top Texas Wineries of 2024
These wineries are leading the charge in putting Texas wine on the map. Next time you’re heading out for a tasting trip, make sure to add these spots to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!
Texas Wine is Just Getting Started
The momentum behind Texas wine is undeniable, and we’re only getting started. Every year, Texas wines are earning more recognition, winning more awards, and proving to the world that our wines stand alongside the best.
So, here’s your call to action:
• Try an award-winning Texas wine.
• Visit these top Texas wineries.
• Support local growers and winemakers.
• Spread the word—Texas wine is here to stay!
Cheers to another record-breaking year for Texas wines! 🍷✨