26th Annual International Wine Competition
The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association is pleased to announce the CALL FOR ENTRIES for the 2009 Lone Star International Wine Competition to be held on Monday, June 8th and Tuesday, June 9th in Historic Grapevine Texas.

We have an experienced panel of judges primarily from the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston Metropolitan area.  Judges are carefully selected for their varietal knowledge and years of experience and     expertise.  

What's in it for you? Under the leadership of our competition co-chairs, Barbara Werley, M.S. and Michael Zerbach, the prestige that goes along with entering a well established and professionally run wine competition is only part of what you get when receiving a medal from the Lone Star International Wine Competition.

The competition committee will also provide news releases of the winners to the major  national and international wire services and to all major print and electronic media in the communities of participating winners. All Texas wine distributors, industry professionals and major retailers also receive notification. This is important to you because Texas is the fourth largest wine market in the country and has three of the largest and fastest growing metros, Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. 

Following the completion of the competition, we will host a   media and trade tasting for all industry professionals from around the state.  Gold and silver medal winning wines will be tasted non-blind and corresponding winery and ordering information will be available for in attendance.

It is our pleasure to invite you to enter in the 26th Annual Lone Star International Wine     Competition. It is an event from which you will surely benefit and one which you’ll want to continue to participate in for years to come. Entry forms and rules are online.

About our Co-chairs—

Michael Zerbach has served as the LSIWC Committee Chair since 2004.  After five years of his expertise, Michael has decided to “retire” bringing Barbara Werley on board to serve as committee co-chair in 2009.  Michael has won several awards for his dedication to the industry including his most recent award this February, the John E. Crosby, Jr. Award for his achievement increasing the stature and visibility of the Lone Star Wine Competition.

Barbara Werley, M.S. is Pappas Brothers Steakhouse's Master Sommelier and Beverage Director. She was the fourth American woman and one of only 13 women worldwide to have completed the rigorous exams. Barbara has judged competitions including the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, The Governor's Cup in Virginia, the Jefferson Cup and the Los Angeles County Fair. She is a member of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, and has been a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, D.C. Chapter, the Chaine de Rotisseurs (N.Virginia Chapter), a Board Member of the Society of Wine Educators, and was a speaker at the Monterey Wine Festival. Currently, Barbara is actively involved in the Court of Master Sommelier as an examiner.

Entries will be accepted until May 22, 2009 and wine must arrive by May 29, 2009.  Entry fees are lower in response to our economic conditions. 

Important dates to remember:

May 22, 2009: Deadline for Entry Forms and Fees
                               Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
                               LSIWC
                              210 W. Hudgins St.
                              Grapevine, TX 76051
                              817/ 912-3637
                              jodie@twgga.org

May 29, 2009: Deadline for Wine Shipments to Arrive:
                              Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
                              LSIWC
                              210 W. Hudgins St.
                              Grapevine, TX 76051

June 8-9, 2009: Judging at the Grapevine Convention Center

June 9, 2009: Winners Announced to Trade and Media

June 19, 2009: Winners Announced to the Public

July 31, 2009: Deadline for Medal winning wine shipments to Arrive:
                              Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
                              LSIWC
                              210 W. Hudgins St.
                              Grapevine, TX 76051

                              Grand Star Medal Winners – 2 cases
                              Gold Medal Winners – 1 case