Wine lovers and amateur vintners from across the Lone Star State are invited to uncork their best bottles for the 17th Annual Texas State-Wide Non-Commercial Wine Show, set to take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the American Legion Hall on the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville.
This one-of-a-kind event, produced by the Gulf Coast Winegrowers Association, is the only non-commercial wine competition of its kind hosted by a county fair in Texas. Unlike other wine contests, this show is open to amateur winemakers from any county in the state, provided their wines are made with at least 75 percent Texas-grown fruit. Commercial winemakers, wineries, and judges are not eligible to enter or participate.
ย
ย
Held in conjunction with the final day of the Austin County Fair, the Wine Show offers a unique opportunity for hobbyists to have their wines evaluated by a distinguished panel of ten judges. These individuals bring a range of expertise from across the wine industry, including educators in enology and viticulture, professional grape growers and winemakers, members of the media, and other wine-related professionals. All judging is conducted in a blind tasting format, ensuring fairness and impartiality.
Winners will be recognized in ten wine categories, with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded based on quality. But itโs not just medals at stake. Three coveted belt bucklesโlong a symbol of Texas prideโwill also be awarded: the State Grand Champion buckle for the best wine overall, the Reserve State Grand Champion, and the Austin County Grand Champion for the top local entry.
The Wine Show begins with closed-door judging at 1:00 p.m. and will open to the public around 3:30 p.m. for free tastings, an awards ceremony, and the chance to meet the winemakers behind the entries. Public access will continue through 5:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free, offering a welcoming and accessible environment for all who want to explore Texas-made wines.
ย
ย
Early wine entries will be accepted from September 22 through October 3 at the Austin County AgriLife Extension Office, located at 800 Wendt Street in Bellville. Entries may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and noon or from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. On the day of the show, wines can be submitted at the American Legion Hall between 10:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Each entry must consist of a minimum of two 750 mL bottles.
For full contest rules, wine categories, and entry forms, visit the official Wine Show page. Additional questions can be directed to Stacie Villarreal, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Austin County, at 979-865-2072.
Whether youโre an experienced home winemaker or just curious to see how your batch stacks up against others from across Texas, the 17th Annual Wine Show offers a spirited, friendly competition and a great day at the fair. Raise a glass to Texas pride and put your vintage to the test.
ย
ย
