Southwest Wines wins top prize

Southwest Wines in Deming has snagged a top award at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The DH Lescombes Cabernet Franc Limited Release was one of only six wines to win a best-of-the-best Sweepstakes Award. It won in the Red Sweepstakes category. Southwest Wines is the first New Mexico winery to win this award. The other winners in the category were mostly from California and one was from Long Island, N.Y.

As a result, the Cabernet Franc will be among the wines showcased at the annual public tasting for the competition, to be held at Fort Mason Center’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco on Feb. 28.

“In a competition traditionally dominated by West Coast wines, the Cabernet Franc from Southwest Wines has demonstrated the potential and the capability of New Mexico wine growers to create outstanding wines,” said Ray Johnson, assistant director of the competition.

Southwest Wines received 15 medals overall, including two gold medals for the 2007 DH Lescombes Mourvedre Limited Release and the NV St. Clair Port.

Its related winery, Blue Teal Vineyards in Lordsburg, won a bronze for its Riesling and a silver for its Muscat Canelli. And Southwest’s St. Clair Winery in Deming won a bronze for its Zinfandel. Its San Felipe Winery in Truth or Consequences won a gold medal for its Ruby Cabernet and a bronze medal in the sparkling white wine category.

Guadalupe Vineyards in San Fidel won a bronze medal for its Gewürztraminer and a silver for its Riesling.