Travelers Rest, SC—October 31, 2018— The University of Tennessee at Knoxville announced that Wellborn Winery of Travelers Rest has won one gold and two silver medals in the 2018 Wines of the South Regional Wine Competition (see http://www.winesofthesouth.com/ for full competition results).
“We’re very proud that UT has recognized our Rustic Red Chambourcin as one of the top gold medal wines of the South,” said Tony Beninati, co-owner and winemaker at the winery. Two other Wellborn Wines, Deep Purple Lenoir and Red Clay Rosé won silver medals from among 315 entries.
Wines of the South is an annual regional wine competition that began in 2001 to promote and celebrate the great tastes of Southern vintages. Wineries in 14 southern states from Texas to West Virginia and all the way down to Florida are invited to submit wines for the competition. The Wines of the South event is hosted in October by the University of Tennessee at Knoxville's Food Science Department. Judging for the 17th annual competition took place on October 12-13 in Knoxville, TN.
“We only opened for business on July 4, 2018,” said Wellborn co-owner Deborah Sikora. “We were hesitant to enter in this wide field, but response from our patrons encouraged us to take the leap of faith. We’re glad we did.” Wellborn Winery also won five medals in the May 2018 Palmetto Wine Competition in Abbeville, SC. They offer over a dozen wines that include French-American reds, whites, and rosés, as well as muscadines, and fruit wines. Over 80% of the grapes and fruits are grown on site or on other upstate farms.