LONE STAR INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION: History
The Lone Star Wine Competition, as it had been known from its inception in 1984, was limited to Texas Wines and Texas Wineries. In 2001 the Board of Directors of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) made the decision to expand the competition internationally. The first U.S. region included in this expansion extended from the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River. It was important for the Great Plains to be the first region in this expansion, since Texas is very much a part of the Great Plains. We included Canada and Mexico in the spirit of the Free Trade Agreement; and Austria as a courtesy to the Grapevine, Texas sister city of Krems, Austria. For the 2002 Competition, the committee decided to expand to the remaining wine states, except the largest producers New York, Oregon, Washington, and California. In 2004 we continued to expand including all international and national commercial wineries. Since 2004, with the LSIWC new commitments embracing and welcoming its national and international neighbors and friends, we’ve tripled the number of entries.
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.
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.
The Grapevine Wine Pouring Society provides the expertise and personnel to put on this grand competition. This is an organization of volunteers from the city of Grapevine who are schooled in the presentation and specifics of wine. They are a tremendous asset to the professionalism of this competition.
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.
Following the competition, on Tuesday, June 9th there will be 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 27th 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. |
