Fourteen Traverse City area wineries captured 66 medals at the Texas Sommelier Conference (TEXSOM) International Wine Competition, an invitation-only awards program that took place in Irving, Texas, earlier this year.
The TEXSOM Awards are judged by panels including master sommeliers, wine educators, beverage directors, and wine writers. Since its inception in 2005, TEXSOM has awarded more than 45,000 medals to winemakers from around the world.
The awards going to Traverse City wineries included two Judges’ Selection medals that are only given to about 5 percent of the entries. Local wines also received two platinum awards, nine gold awards, 34 silver awards, and 19 bronze awards.
“It’s no secret we are producing top-caliber wines in this part of Michigan,” says Sherri Campbell-Fenton, the president of Traverse Wine Coast. “When we get recognition from independent judges through a blind taste test, it affirms we are giving our customers a carefully crafted wine experience. As we gain recognition on an international scale, we are proud of the positive spotlight that shines on the region and the products we produce.”
Boathouse Vineyards, known for its white wines, took home the top Judges’ Selection Award for a red 2022 Cabernet Franc.
“The acclaim for our red wines has been growing dramatically,” says Dave Albert, owner of Boathouse Vineyards. “It’s great to see a major international wine competition recognize that Leelanau County can produce superb red wines.”
TEXSOM winners from the Traverse City area include:
Amoritas Vineyards – Fascinator, Dry Muscat – 2021 Silver; Riesling – 2021, Bronze.
Aurora Cellars – Blaufränkisch – 2020, Silver; Rosé, Pinot Noir – 2022, Silver; Brut Rosé – Non-Vintage, Silver; Gewurztraminer, Medium Sweet – 2022, Bronze; Pinot Noir – 2021, Bronze; Sauvignon Blanc – 2022, Bronze.
Bel Lago – Blaufränkisch – 2018, Gold; Riesling, Semi Dry – 2022, Silver; Pinot Noir – 2020, Silver.
Blustone Vineyards – Riesling – 2022, Gold; Latitude – 2022, Silver; Winemaker’s Red – 2021, Silver; Pinot Noir – 2021, Silver.
Boathouse Vineyards – Cabernet Franc – 2022, Judges’ Selection; Merlot – 2022, Silver; Riesling, Sweet – 2022, Silver; Provemont White – 2022, Silver; Provemont Red – 2022, Silver; Riesling – 2022, Silver; Pinot Noir – 2020, Bronze; Pinot Grigio – 2022, Bronze; Rosé – 2022, Bronze.
Brengman Brothers – Riesling, Trocken – 2022, Gold; Block 65 Blend – 2022, Bronze.
Chateau Chantal – Pinot Grigio – 2021, Gold; Trio, Proprietor’s Reserve – 2021, Gold; Naughty Red, Dry – Non-Vintage, Silver; Tonight, Sparkling Brut – Non-Vintage, Silver; Gewürztraminer – 2022, Silver.
French Valley Vineyard – Merlot, Reserve – 2017, Silver; Pinot Noir – 2020, Bronze; Chardonnay, Unoaked – 2021, Bronze; Riesling, Semi-Dry – 2021, Bronze.
Good Harbor Vineyards – Pinot Grigio – 2022, Gold; Blanc de Noirs – Non-Vintage, Gold; Dry Riesling – 2021, Silver; Unoaked Chardonnay – 2022, Silver; Blanc de Blanc – Non-Vintage, Bronze; Pinot Noir – Zweigelt – 2021, Bronze.
Left Foot Charley – Kerner – 2022, Platinum; Blaufränkisch – 2022, Silver; Pinot Blanc – 2021, Silver, Riesling Terminal Moraine – 2021, Bronze.
Rove Estate – Pinot Noir – 2021, Platinum; Riesling, Select Harvest – 2022, Gold; Cabernet Franc-Merlot – 2021, Silver; Rigaire Rosé, Pinot Gris – 2022, Bronze; Ríona Rúnda, White Blend – 2022, Bronze.
Shady Lane Cellars – Gewürztraminer – 2022, Silver; Grüner Veltliner – 2022, Silver; Riesling, Late Harvest – 2022, Silver; Blaufränkisch – 2021, Silver; Pinot Gris – 2022, Bronze.
Two K Farms – Honeycrisp, Ice Cider – Non-Vintage, Gold; Bellenoir – 2021, Silver; Pinot Gris – 2021, Silver; Golden Russet, Ice Cider – Non-Vintage, Bronze; Pinot Gris – 2022, Bronze.
Verterra Winery – Riesling, Late Harvest – 2022, Judges’ Selection; Vignoles, Late Harvest – 2022, Silver; Pinot Blanc – 2022, Silver; Chardonnay, Unoaked – 2022, Silver; Dry Riesling – 2022, Silver; Pinot Grigio – 2022, Silver.
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