DOWNLOAD FULL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION PACKET HERE
You’re invited to participate in the 2026 Texas Wine Invitational, part of the Rate the States series of competitions celebrating outstanding wines and winemaking across America. Texas wineries and vintners are encouraged to submit their finest selections for evaluation by a panel of experienced judges. This event offers a unique opportunity to showcase your wines, earn valuable recognition, and gain statewide and national exposure. We look forward to raising a glass with you and honoring the very best Texas has to offer.
This registration packet includes the forms and instructions you will need to register and submit your entries.
Your initial registration and payment must be made online at TXWineInvitational.com. You will use THIS document to submit your physical entries to the competition.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to info@libationawards.com.
Registration and Entry Samples Received by: Monday, November 2nd, 2026
Judging: November 3rd – 5th, 2026
ELIGIBILITY AND CONDITIONS
1. Any commercial wine produced by a professional winery located in Texas.
2. There is no limit to the number of wines entered. However, no wine may be entered into more than one class category.
3. Wines previously entered in other competitions are welcome.
4. The Competition reserves the right to photograph any entry and reproduce it in catalogs, posters, publications, on our website, and in publicity issued by the Competition.
JUDGING CRITERIA
The Competition uses a modified 100-point Davis system. Entries will be adjudicated across 5 categories: Appearance, Aroma & Bouquet, Taste & Texture, Aftertaste, and Overall Impression. Each category is worth up to 20 points.
Medals are awarded as follows:
Gold: 90-100
Silver: 80-89
Bronze: 70-79
TASTING COMPETITION
Our quality-based scoring system allows for medals to be awarded through independent evaluation, rather than through comparison against other submissions. It is possible, and likely, that multiple gold, silver, or bronze awards will be awarded in each category. Entrants also have three additional ways to win. See the panel below.
AWARDS AND RESULTS
Winners will be notified by e-mail during the week following the Competition.
FOUR WAYS TO WIN
There are FOUR WAYS for wineries to WIN for every submission:
Gold, Silver, & Bronze: Our panel of judges will score each submission using a double blind, modified Davis scale. This point-based scoring system allows for multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards per category. By using this method of scoring and medaling, producers are not competing against each other, but rather being evaluated on an individual basis.
Best in Class Double Gold: The top Gold medal recipient in each category will be recognized as "Best in Class" and upgraded to Double Gold.
Winery of the Year: Submitting four or more entries will automatically enter you into the running for Winery of the Year. The average score of each eligible winery’s submissions will determine winery of the year.
Best of Show Bottle Art & Label Design Gold: You spend a lot of time designing your labels- opt to have them adjudicated so they get the credit they deserve!
DOWNLOAD FULL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION PACKET HERE
