Brecon Estate wins top honors at international wine competition
Alex Kemp, winemaker at Brecon.
Brecon Estate is a family-owned, boutique winery located in the westside hills of Paso Robles
– Brecon Estate captured top honors at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, taking home Best of Show, Best White Wine, and Best Red Wine following a two-day blind tasting event held last week.
Judges awarded Brecon Estate’s 2024 True Acacia Head Albariño both Best of Show and Best of Class White Wine. The 2023 Brecon Estate Zinfandel was named Best of Class Red Wine and received the Don Galleano Award, which honors the late chairman of the competition.
The wines competed against entries from international regions including the United States, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Italy, France, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico.
“We’re thrilled to be recognized among such a stellar and competitive lineup of wines,” said Alex Kemp, winemaker at Brecon. “Our True Acacia Head Albariño is my favorite white wine that we produce. The acacia barrels add a delicate floral complexity to the crisp and aromatic vibrancy of Albariño.”
Kemp added, “We’re immensely grateful for our long-standing relationships with our growers and vineyards in the San Luis Obispo Coast American Viticultural Area. We’ve come to really understand the variety and exceed expectations on what we can achieve with it. This award validates our efforts and solidifies Albariño’s growing fan base on the Central Coast and beyond.”
Kemp also commented on the Zinfandel’s success, saying, “We’re lucky to be working with one of the oldest grape growing families in Paso Robles, and 2023 was truly an exceptional vintage. We couldn’t resist making a 100% Zinfandel. This wine shows classic blackberry and spice flavors, but we’ve incorporated smooth tannins and a touch of oak making it approachable yet sophisticated. It’s also my go-to pairing when I’m grilling.”
Brecon Estate is a family-owned, boutique winery located in the westside hills of Paso Robles.
“We are so excited to have our characterful wines recognized,” said Damian Grindley, co-owner and founding winemaker at Brecon. “Accolades such as these allow us to be discovered by folks who would never normally have a chance to drive past our door or stumble across our website.”
Only 309 cases of the 2024 True Acacia Head Albariño and 210 cases of the 2023 Zinfandel were produced. Wines are available for purchase through Brecon Estate’s website, their tasting room at 7450 Vineyard Drive, or by joining their wine club.
For more information, visit breconestate.com.
