Every athlete and every fan knows the power of home-field advantage. When you’re on your own turf, with a crowd behind you, victories feel within reach. But it’s another thing entirely to win on the road—in a place where no one is rooting for you, where you’re expected to falter, and then walk away with the win. Those are the moments that define true champions.
In the world of wine, Texas faces a similar challenge. Even as quality and acclaim rise year after year, there remains skepticism in some circles. If a Texas wine wins a medal in a Texas competition, the skeptics may shrug it off. But when Texas wines go to San Francisco or other national and international competitions—to the home turf of established giants—and walk away victorious, there’s no denying what’s happening.
In this season of college football and NFL playoffs, it’s only fitting that we take a moment to celebrate some of the great road wins of the 2025 season for Texas wine.
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest competition of North American wines, with thousands of entries from every major wine-producing state and province. In 2025, Texas wines not only held their own—they dominated.
Becker Vineyards 2021 Claret
Dove Ridge Winery 2023 Picpoul Blanc
English Newsom 2023 Viognier
Llano Estacado NV Verdelho
Pedernales Cellars 2021 GSM Melange
Becker Vineyards 2021 Mourvedre
Becker Vineyards 2020 Ranger Hays
Becker Vineyards 2021 Prairie Rotie
Bending Branch Winery 2021 Texas Cowboy Cuvee
Christoval Vineyards 2022 Aglianico
Driftwood Estate Winery 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Driftwood Estate Winery 2023 Dry Rose
Driftwood Estate Winery 2019 Longhorn Red
Duchman Family Winery 2023 Vermentino
Duchman Family Winery 2018 Aglianico
English Newsom 2023 Riesling
FireSky Wine 2021 Kate Red Blend
FireSky Wine 2023 Picpoul Blanc
Graveyard Vineyards 2021 Malbec
Messina Hof Winery 2022 Tempranillo
Michael Ros Winery 2023 Picpoul
Missick Cellars 2023 Riesling
Pedernales Cellars 2021 Tempranillo Reserve
Perissos Vineyards and Winery 2023 Marsanne
Perissos Vineyards and Winery 2021 White Gratis
Peters Prairie Vineyard 2020 Tempranillo
Pontotoc Vineyard 2021 Spy Rock
Solaro Estate 2022 Tempranillo
The Cause Urban Winery 2023 Rose
Threshold Vineyards 2022 Sangiovese
Threshold Vineyards 2023 Blanc Du Bois
Wedding Oak Winery 2023 Castanet
Wedding Oak Winery 2023 Roussanne
Yellow House Cellars 2023 Picpoul Blanc
An additional 62 medals were awarded to Texas wineries in this competition. Among the medal-winning wineries:
1836, Ab Astris Winery, Adega Vinho, Augusta Vin, Becker Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery, Eden Hill Vineyard, Elisa Christopher Wines, English Newsom, Hilmy Cellars, Legato, Llano Estacado, Lost Oak Winery, Messina Hof Winery, Pedernales Cellars, Perissos Vineyards and Winery, Pontotoc Vineyard, Portree Cellars, Ron Yates, Slate Theory Winery, Solaro Estate, Spicewood Vineyards, Texas Heritage Vineyard, Viviano, Wedding Oak Winery, and Yellow House Cellars.
San Francisco International Wine Competition
Although complete results for the 2025 San Francisco International Wine Competition are not available, reports confirm another round of high-level wins for Texas.
Duchman Family Winery 2023 Roussanne
Duchman Family Winery 2023 Vermentino
Duchman Family Winery 2018 Aglianico
Duchman Family Winery 2019 Montepulciano
Pedernales Cellars 2020 Canted County Tempranillo Reserva
Spicewood Vineyards 2021 Red Label Tempranillo
Spicewood Vineyards 2023 Cinsault Rosé
Sommelier Challenge: International Wine & Spirits Competition
The Sommelier Challenge is a prestigious event that draws entries from global producers and is judged exclusively by sommeliers and industry professionals, ensuring a high bar for technical excellence and overall quality.
Grape Creek Vineyards 2021 The Individualist
Grape Creek Vineyards 2022 Invention
Invention Vineyards 2022 P2 (P-Squared)
FireSky Wine 2024 Marsanne
FireSky Wine 2022 Tannat
FireSky Wine 2022 Tempranillo
Grape Creek Vineyards 2021 The Elitist
Grape Creek Vineyards 2021 The Originalist
Grape Creek Vineyards 2022 Bellissimo
Grape Creek Vineyards 2022 Cab Trois
Grape Creek Vineyards 2021 Mosaic
Grape Creek Vineyards 2022 Rendezvous
Invention Vineyards 2024 Mourvèdre Rosé
Invention Vineyards 2021 Sangiovese
Invention Vineyards 2021 Soleluce
Invention Vineyards 2023 Imaginada
Kuhlman Estate 2023 Tempranillo
These are only three of the many competitions in which Texas wines have had outstanding victories.
In a year where fans cheer for road victories on football fields across America, Texas wines have racked up an impressive season of road wins of their own. From coast to coast and competition to competition, Texas wines are no longer underdogs—they’re contenders, and they’re proving it, one gold medal at a time.
