Kicking off 2017 with a celebration toast, Texas Fine Wine announces big wins at 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, with Brennan Vineyards winning Best of Class for its 2015 Reserve Viognier, and Brennan along with Duchman Family Winery and Spicewood Vineyards also bringing home gold. Brennan received gold awards for its 2015 Roussanne and its 2014 Texas Tempranillo, Duchman for its 2015 Texas High Plains Vermentino, and Spicewood Vineyards for its 2014 Texas Hill Country Tempranillo. Together, the five wineries of Texas Fine Wine received 30 medals in the San Francisco Chronicle competition. Texas topped all states except California with “Best of Class” awards for seven Texas appellation wines. “This year, Texas wineries won more medals–including some of the top awards in the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition–than ever before,” said Bob Fraser, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition executive director.  “It is not surprising to me, as I recently visited the Texas Wine Country and was completely impressed with the quality of their wines.”

Pedernales Cellars received Top Texas Wine and the coveted Rodeo saddle award – for the third time – from the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for its 2014 High Plains Tempranillo.  Duchman received a double gold for its Viognier and Spicewood received gold for its 2015 Tempranillo Rosé. Texas Fine Wine includes Bending Branch Winery in Comfort, Brennan Vineyards in Comanche, Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood, Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall and Spicewood Vineyards in Spicewood. Below is a list of awards won by the Texas Fine Wine group: 2017 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2017 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition 2016 Beverage Dynamics Five-Stars Award 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition 2016 TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2016 Lone Star International Wine Competition 2017 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition 2016 Jefferson Cup Invitation Wine Competition 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

2016 Finger Lakes Wine Competition Texas Fine Wine is a group of five distinctive wineries dedicated to making quality wines from Texas appellation vineyards and setting the highest standards in the Texas wine industry.  , and follow Texas Fine Wine on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Houston-based wine professional Rachel DelRocco, who works at Camerata wine bar, won the coveted Best Sommelier title at the annual Texsom sommelier conference, held at the Four Seasons hotel and resort in Irving last weekend.The event, previously known as the "Best Sommelier in Texas Competition," is now also open to wine professionals working in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico as well as Texas. The broader field of eligibility has made the stakes higher and the competition more fierce."I'm totally humbled, very honored and excited," said DelRocco when reached by phone. "I went in just for the experience, and it feels really great that I've been recognized for the work I've put in."

DelRocco was one of 24 sommeliers vying for the title. Each of them underwent a grueling three-part exam modeled after the Master Sommelier examination, including theory, blind tasting and service."buy mom wineThey put you in a real service scenario" with master sommeliers as dinner guests, explained DelRocco. good red wine new zealandShe had to answer questions about one of the wine world's most esoteric subjects: British sparkling wines, a newly emerged category that few wine professionals have tasted. best wine for skin in indiaIt's been a terrific year not only for Camerata's staff but for Houston's growing wine scene. where can you buy wine in nj

DelRocco's boss, Camerata co-owner David Keck, passed the last part of the Master Sommelier examination earlier this year, which makes him one of only two master sommeliers in Houston and eight in Texas. beer and wine store business"It tripped me up, but I kept my composure," DelRocco said of her own test at the Texsom competition. best value italian red wine"I had to answer questions about English winemaking, PDOs [Protected Designations of Origin or appellations] and English grape varieties." buy wine from the year you were bornThat's not an easy task for even the most experienced among wine professionals.best white wine drinksOriginally from Raritan, New Jersey, DelRocco moved to Austin in 2010 to "decompress" from years of working in the high-pressure New York restaurant scene. best red wines with fish

"I was only supposed to stay [in Texas] for a few months," she said, "but I loved it so much that I never left," she said.Following a stint working with master sommelier June Rodil in the state's capital, she moved to Houston a year ago after her fiancé, who also works in the wine and spirits trade, took a job here."It was very heartwarming to receive all the congratulations" for her win, she said, "and to be there with [Camerata owner and wine director and master sommelier] David [Keck] and June." She considers both to be mentors. "I'm hoping to sit for my Advanced Sommelier exam next year [a prerequisite to become a master sommelier]," said DelRocco, "but I am really happy to be studying and learning. I want to meet people, to network and to find more opportunities to keep learning." A dynamic membership nonprofit united in our goal to enrich Texas’s wine and food community. Self-proclaimed wine enthusiasts and obsessed foodies. Seasoned collectors and novices. $1.3 Million Awarded Since 1985 »