Wedding Oak Winery Awarded 10 Medals at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

SAN SABA, Texas (January 22, 2025) — Wine enthusiasts looking to brighten their spirits during the chilly, gray days of January need look no further than Wedding Oak Winery. The 2023 Wedding Oak Winery Castanet Rosé and 2023 Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne were recognized with Double Gold medals at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Two of 10 total honors awarded to the winery at this prestigious event, these selections are the perfect wines to warm up any winter day. 

Wedding Oak Winery is deeply committed to selecting the absolute best grapes from excellent vineyards in Texas. The winery employs specific winemaking techniques to bring out the natural qualities of specific grape varietals, which ensures that Wedding Oak wines reflect the unique terroir of Texas. This dedication to excellence in winemaking is recognized at top wine competitions. 

The winemaking team at Wedding Oak Winery, led by winemaker Van Johnson, is on a winning streak. The winery was named a Top Texas winery for winning the most Gold Medal Awards in international wine competitions in 2024 for their 100% Texas wines. Wedding Oak Winery was also ranked second among all top-awarded wineries in Texas. 

Carrying its success into 2025, Wedding Oak Winery was awarded 10 medals at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, including two double gold medals, one gold medal, three silver medals, and four bronze medals. This is the largest wine competition in North America with 50 judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating nearly 5,500 wines from more than 950 wineries.  

The top-scoring wines by Wedding Oak Winery at this year’s competition include: 

2023 Wedding Oak Winery Castanet Rosé — Double Gold

The 2023 Wedding Oak Winery Castanet Rosé is one of this winery’s highly awarded wines having also won Double Gold and Best of Show Rosé at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition as well as Grand Star Winner at the Lone Star International Wine Competition. Made with Cinsault grapes grown in Lilli of the Vine Vineyards in Lamesa, Texas, this rosé has a delicate pink hue, with appealing scents of strawberry, raspberry, and citrus, making it a refreshing yet complex wine. Its well-rounded palate with rich, concentrated flavors of tangy lemons, strawberry, cantaloupe, watermelon, and crisp acidity makes it a perfect wine for bringing brightness to a winter afternoon or pairing with a hearty seasonal stew. Bottled at 12.9% ABV the mid-palate has weight balanced with a touch of residual sugar that enhances the fruitiness without overwhelming the natural acidity. This results in an elegant finish that lingers, inviting another sip.   

2023 Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne — Double Gold  

The grapes used to produce the Double Gold award-winning 2023 Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne were hand-picked at the Hye Top Vineyards at the peak of ripeness to ensure optimal flavor and quality. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed to extract the juice gently. This technique helps to retain the delicate aromatics and adds complexity to the wine by incorporating subtle flavors from the stems and skins. After pressing, the juice was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to preserve the fresh, vibrant fruit flavors. It is a sophisticated and aromatic white wine with an intricate bouquet of eucalyptus, vanilla, and banana intertwined with delicate notes of white blossom, pineapple, and nectarine. It is vibrant and refreshing with Meyer lemon and grapefruit flavors, complemented by a chalky minerality. Subtle hints of melon, apricot, and roasted almond add complexity and depth, making this Roussanne a beautifully balanced and memorable choice for any occasion.

Last year’s vintage was recognized as the Top Texas White Wine at the 2023 San Antonio Rodeo, and won a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. 

This is a Wedding Oak Winery Wine Club Member’s-only wine. 

2023 Wedding Oak Winery Riesling — Gold  

For this gold-winning wine, Riesling grapes from Cerra Santo Vineyard were fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to maintain the purity and freshness of the grapes, highlighting the natural fruit flavors. Following fermentation, the wine was sur lie aged for three months and then racked. This process enhances the wine's texture and adds richness to the palate, contributing to its overall complexity and depth. It is vibrant and inviting, with aromas of crisp apple, juicy pear, and zesty orange, complemented by hints of apricots, fragrant lavender, and delicate white blossom. On the palate, Honeycrisp apple and ripe pineapple flavors are intertwined with nuances of candied lavender and overripe calamansi. A touch of brioche adds a creamy, rich texture to the finish. The 2023 Wedding Oak Winery Riesling is perfect for pairing with a variety of dishes, including seafood, spicy cuisine, and light desserts, or simply enjoyed on its own with the long angles of the setting sun on a winter afternoon.

Wedding Oak Winery is thrilled that this wine won Gold at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. It was also recognized as the Top of Class and Gold medal at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition. 

Shoppers can order Wedding Oak Winery’s award-winning wines online or visit any of their three tasting rooms to purchase the wines while supplies last:

·       Wedding Oak Winery, 229 S. Pierce, Burnet, TX 78611

·       Wedding Oak Winery, 6009B US 290 East Fredericksburg, TX, 78624

·       Wedding Oak Winery, 316 East Wallace Street, San Saba, TX 76877

About Wedding Oak Winery 

Wedding Oak Winery was established in 2012 by viticulturist Mike McHenry and a group of friends passionate about bringing the burgeoning Texas wine industry to the heart of small-town Texas. The historic 1926 tasting room and 10,000 case winery, located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and State Highway 16, is a central part of the renaissance of San Saba. Wedding Oak Winery takes its inspiration and name from the majestic, 400-year-old oak tree, known as the Wedding Oak Tree, which grows about 2.5 miles northwest from the winery. With gracious tasting room facilities in Fredericksburg and Burnet, Texas, Wedding Oak Winery offers 100% Texas-grown wines of distinction from the top of the Hill Country appellation in San Saba to the heart of Wine Road 290. Using 100% Texas grown grapes, Wedding Oak Winery makes wines that celebrate the Texas terroir and wine-growing conditions. Wedding Oak Winery embodies the casual beauty, friendly personalities and relaxing hospitality that defines small-town Texas. Connect with Wedding Oak Winery on Facebook and Instagram. For more information, visit WeddingOakWinery.com.