26th annual Lone Star International Wine Competition June 8-9

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, June 5, 2009 - The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association hosts the 26th annual Lone Star International Wine Competition June 8-9 at the Grapevine Convention Center. More than 500 wines from around the world will be sampled and judged in 30+ categories by a panel of restaurant owners, sommeliers and other wine experts from Texas. This year's co-chairs are Barbara Werley, M.S., Pappas Brothers Steakhouse's Master Sommelier and Beverage Director, the first Master Sommelier in the 26 year history of the event; and Michael Zerbach, long time chair of the event and winner of the John E. Crosby, Jr. Award for his achievements in increasing the stature and visibility of the Lone Star Wine Competition awarded by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association Board of Directors.

After the judging, media and special guests are invited to taste the winning wines on Tuesday, June 9, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Convention Center, located at 1209 S Main Street in Grapevine.

New this year is a category for Texas wineries that have been in business for three years or less. Titled the Texas Vintner's Rising Star Award, it is sponsored by owner and long time wine maker of Messina Hof Winery & Resort, Paul Bonarrigo. The intent is to recognize fine Texas wine made from new, up and coming wine makers and encourage more new wineries to enter their products. There are six new wineries that fit the criteria. Both their Red wines and White wines will be judged against each others. The winery(s) with the winning Red and winning White will receive the award, and the wines will be tasted at the media event on Tuesday.

For more information about this year's International Lone Star Wine Competition, visit www.txwines.org or call 817-404-0570.

Based in Grapevine, the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association is a professional organization comprised of wine makers, wine grape growers, suppliers to the industry and the general public-Friends of TWGGA. Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the nation, with more than 170 wineries and 280 commercial vineyards. The total economic impact to the States of Texas from the wine and wine grape industry is $1.35 billion.