BELLVILLE - It's that time of year in Texas for coun ty fairs, rodeos, parades, and ag competitions, and the Austin County Fair has one contest that you will not find at any other county fair in Texas. And regardless of where you live in Texas, you can participate in it.
Produced and coordinated by the Gulf Coast Winegrowers Association, the 17th Annual Texas State-Wide Non-Com mercial Wine Competition will close out the Austin County Fair on Friday, Oct. 12 at the fairgrounds in Bellville.
The Wine Show is the only non-commercial wine competition presented by a county fair in Texas that is open to wine entries from non-commercial (amateur) wine makers residing anywhere in the State of Texas. Entries must be composed of 75 percent or more Texas Grown Fruit. Judg es, commercial wineries and commercial wine makers are ineligible.
Regardless of which Texas county you live in, this is your chance to have your wine evaluated in blind tastings by a distinguished panel of 10 judges representing educators in the fields of Enology and Viticul ture, commercial grape growers and winemakers, members of the media, and industry-related individuals.
Winning wines in 10 categories will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Better yet, three traditional Austin County Fair belt buckles will also be awarded to the Overall State Grand Champion (giving you bragging rights for the entire state), Reserve State Grand Champion (also select ed from all entries), and the Austin County Grand Champi -
on (awarded to the best Austin County wine).
The Texas wine industry is growing in stature and size by leaps and bounds, and our commercial grape growers and winemakers are being recognized around the world.
Whether you are interested in starting down that path or just want to showcase your skills as a home winemaker, this is your chance to earn some serious Texas bragging rights.
The Wine Show will be held in the American Legion Hall at 988 E. Main in Bell ville, on the Austin County Fairgrounds. Judging (closed to the public) begins at 1 p.m., with the hall opening to the public after the judging (ap- proximately 3:30-5 p.m.) for the presentation of awards, winemakers meet and greet, and free tastings of all entered wines. Parking and admission to the Fair and Wine Show are free on that day. Winners do not need to be present to receive awards.
Early entry and submission of wines will be accepted from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3, between 8:30 a.m. and noon, and between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Austin Coun- ty, Texas A&M AgriLife Ex - tension Office. Day-of-show registration and entry will be on Sunday, Oct. 12, between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. For a complete set of rules, entry form, registration, and wine submittal dates and locations, visit the Austin County Fair website at https://austincountyfair.com/ wine-show.
For more information on submitting wine for the Wine Show, contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Austin County at 979-8652072 and speak Stacie Villarreal.
