Our TWGGA Award Winning Wines

We are excited to announce that our award-winning wines have seen another successful year in the annual Lone Star International Wine Competition (LSIWC), sponsored by the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association (TWGGA)! They announced that Companion Wines have been awarded four medals this year! We are so grateful to be recognized and appreciate the LSIWC’s commitment to elevating and promoting the Texas wine industry.

About the Lone Star International Wine Competition

The Lone Star International Wine Competition was founded in the early 2000s to highlight the growing quality and diversity of wines from Texas and worldwide. Held annually, it attracts entries from various regions, emphasizing both local and international producers.

Over the years, the competition has gained prestige, helping to elevate Texas's profile as a significant wine-producing state. It fosters community among winemakers and encourages public interest in wine education and appreciation. Awards from the competition serve as valuable recognition, often leading to increased visibility and sales for participating wineries. Overall, the LSIWC is vital in celebrating wine culture and promoting Texas as a critical player in the global wine landscape.

The LSIWC features panels of experienced judges, including sommeliers, winemakers, and industry professionals. Each panel typically consists of multiple judges to ensure diverse opinions and expertise. Wines are evaluated in a blind-tasting format, meaning judges do not know the wines' producers or brands. This helps eliminate bias and ensures fair evaluations based solely on quality. From the LSIWC Handbook, scoring is part of a 100-point scale based on five elements: appearance, aroma, body, taste, and finish. The medal award ranges from Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and No Medal. The LSIWC features three distinct categories, including the International, Limited, and Label competitions.

International Competition

This category is open to wines from around the world. It emphasizes global participation and diversity in wine styles. Wines are judged based on the same rigorous criteria used in the overall competition. The goal is to recognize outstanding wines from various regions and promote international winemaking excellence. Top-performing wines receive recognition in the form of medals, which help producers gain visibility in the market.

Limited Competition

This category focuses on wines produced in limited quantities. It highlights the craftsmanship and unique characteristics of smaller production runs. Wines entered in this category often have strict production limits, emphasizing quality over quantity. This can include boutique wineries or special releases from larger producers. This category is similar to the international category but focuses on the unique attributes of limited-production wines. Judges may look for distinctiveness and innovation.

Label Competition

This competition evaluates the artistic and marketing aspects of wine labels. It recognizes the importance of packaging in attracting consumers. Judges assess the label's design, creativity, and overall effectiveness in conveying the wine's identity and appeal. This includes considerations of typography, imagery, and branding. A well-designed label can significantly impact a wine's marketability. Winning in this category can enhance a winery's brand recognition and consumer appeal.

Awards

2024

With over 350 unique wine entries this year, our Companion Wines Ominous Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2019 and Companion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 won Bronze in the Label competition and Silver in the Limited wine competition! These wines, with dark fruit and slight pepper notes, will go perfectly in your fall wine collections. The soft palate and fuller body make Companion a unique cabernet. In a subtle contrast, our Ominous is made with 100% Alexander Valley fruit, making it full and dark with a balancing tobacco and pepper finish.

2023

Last year, with more submissions, we received seven individual medals for the International, Limited, and Label competitions of the LIWSC! Our medal winners in Limited Gold are Companion Wines Sierra Foothills Barbera 2019 and Companion Wines Companion Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, both oaked wines with a smooth finish. The wines awarded Silver medals in the International competition are Companion Wines Los Carneros Pinot Noir 2019 and Companion Wines Elefante California Red Blend N.V., which also won Bronze in the label competition! Our delicate yet earthy red wines are our most popular, especially during the holidays, so these would go perfectly with any pasta dish. Another Silver winner in the Limited wine competition is Companion Wines 626 Lodi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. Made from 100% Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this French oaked wine gives a smooth and perfect finish with cherry and tobacco notes. Our International Bronze medal winner, Companion Wines Lodi Syrah 2019, begins with a musky tobacco note on the nose. This Syrah has a jammy fruit flavor that you will want to savor.

2022

In 2022, we achieved Double Gold for our Companion Wines Companion Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017! In the Limited and Label competition, our best-selling wine brought home Gold. This vintage has a classic medium body with a slight touch of our 626 Reserve Cabernet for perfect round smoothness. Our Companion Wines 626 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 has also won Gold in the Label competition with its unique design, as well as Bronze in the Limited competition! Made with 100% Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, a French Oak makes for a balanced tanning and smooth finish. Our 626 Reserve Cabernet is special because it honors the wedding day of our only daughter, Caroline! We hope to share the meaningful flavors of this Cabernet with your loved ones, and it will be a perfect wine to dine with this season. Another one of our star wines is Companion Wines Elefante California Red Blend N.V., which won Bronze in both the Label and International competition! A delicate red blend of California grapes with a perfect balance of soft tannins and spiced, rich red fruits is paired nicely with your intense and flavourful meats. This wine will bring a flawless blend to your dinner table all year round. To bring a white wine into the mix, our Companion Wines Yellow Star Chardonnay 2019 received Silver in the International competition. Shimmering a partial gold, this Chardonnay shows a bright, crisp color that is clean with a nose of light citrus and a unique meringue taste on the palate. This wine pairs perfectly with a creamy pasta or roasted chicken dish.

2021

We had several individual medalists in 2021 with another Double Gold for our Companion Wines Companion Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 in the Label and Limited competition! This elegant wine with aromas of blackberry and hints of tobacco will make for a great pair with red meats and is best enjoyed with a sauce or reduction. Our other Gold winner in the Label competition and Limited Bronze winner is Companion 626 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018! The cherry and tobacco notes shine through without it being too heavy of a wine. It pairs well with robust dishes like grilled steaks, lamb, or aged cheeses. Our Silver medalist, Companion Wines Yellow Star Chardonnay 2019, is an unoaked wine with no sweetness and a clean finish. This wine is an excellent match for any light and fresh-flavored dish, like salmon or risotto. Again, our Companion Wines Elefante California Red Blend N.V. won Bronze in both the Label and International competition! The decadent grapes give a hint of smoky flavor from the medium oak of the wine, resulting in a lushness in the palette that lingers.

2020

Our Companion Wines Companion Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 was a Silver medalist in the Limited and Texan competition of the LWISC! This vintage #2 was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels. This big and bold wine has intense oak, smooth tannins, and hints of tobacco. Cabernet Sauvignons are a great, versatile wine for any occasion and pairs well with most seasonal foods!

We are proud of all our final medalists! Based on our several successes with the LSIWC, we hope to continue our award-winning streak and ensure quality and uniqueness in our wine!