Breaking News: Texas Winery Named “WineBusiness Monthly” Hot 10 Wine Brand of 2024: Bending Branch Winery
Attaining International Recognition
BREAKING NEWS: FEBRUARY 1, 2025 SONOMA, CALIFORNIA AND COMFORT, TEXAS
WineBusiness Monthly, a journal with the largest circulation in North America and the trusted resource for wine industry news today, announced their “Hot 10” wine brands of 2024. One of the selected Hot 10 brands of 2024 is Bending Branch Winery, located in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. Known for its terroir-driven grape selection, loyal wine club members, and innovative scientific winemaking techniques, Bending Branch Winery makes award-winning wine and is a premier wine tourism destination.
“All of these brands are led by innovators, creative minds, pioneers, and devoted descendants—and we’re finding that they are all stubborn enough to not let the bad news [wine industry] get to them. That determination is a trait we admire, and one necessary to build a strong wine business. So, while we could easily focus on the headwinds and hardships, we’re excited to instead tell some inspirational stories from brands from across the country. In each there is a nugget of wisdom, a dash of luck and a whole lot of passion. “
—Erin Kirschenmann, DipWSET, Managing Editor, Wine Business Monthly, February 1, 2025
“Quality, creativity, and innovation are at the core of Bending Branch, and Dr Bob [Robert Young, M.D.] has made a huge impact on the trajectory of Texas wine. We are thrilled to be recognized as a Hot Brand, and we are grateful for all of the dedicated growers that we work with like Neal and Janice Newsom, whose Tempranillo was used in the 2020 Tempranillo that WineBusiness Monthly selected.” – Jennifer Cernosek, General Manager, Bending Branch
What Exactly is a ‘Hot” Brand?
According to WineBusiness Monthly Managing Editor, Erin Kirschenmann, the wines featured this year as Hot Brands of 2024…“are the embodiment of all that is great about this industry.”
The Top 10 Hot Brands of 2024 include:
Bending Branch Winery, Comfort Texas
Anaya Vineyards, Lodi, California
Cadre Wines, San Luis Obispo, California
Edio Vineyards, El Dorado, California
Limited Addition Wines, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon
LOLA Wines, Napa Valley, California
Overshine Wine Co. Dry Creek Valley, California
Vara Winery, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Willow Mountain Winery, Corvallis, Montana
About Bending Branch Winery
Bending Branch Winery was founded in the Texas Hill Country in 2009 and is known for marrying Old World winemaking with modern science. Co-Founder/Owner Dr. Robert W. Young, M.D. refers to the use of science such as Cryo-Maceration and Thermoflash fermentation as the making of “Next World Wines.” Bending Branch is best known for Tannat, a grape variety that exceeds expectation for the Texas terroir, though its roots are in southwest France Basque region. Bending Branch has great success with Tempranillo, Malbec, Picpoul, Charbono, Sagrantino, Mourvèdre, and vast experience in making wine with more than 30 different varietal grapes. Bending Branch has lent its expertise and innovation to 20+ wineries through their custom crush business. Additionally, Bending Branch 1840 is a Texas-aged bourbon born out of two native Kentuckians’ longing for a taste of their homeland. Dr. Bob Young and his daughter, Allison Young, President and Master Blender, curate fine bourbons aged in their adoptive home in the Texas Hill Country.
“Drawing on his medical background, Dr. Bob has found a way to bring modern medical principles to winemaking, resulting in a smoother and silkier, but very bold wine. He recalled a paper English researcher Roger Corder published in Nature in 2006 on the positive effects of procyanidin tannins on the vascular system. Dr. Bob realized that these produced tannins that we would typically call “soft/smooth” and set out to ensure they were in his red wines.” – WineBusiness Monthly, February 1, 2025
Recommended Wines and Bourbons
2020 Bending Branch Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains, $45
The WBM Hot 10 Brands of 2024 recommendation
2020 Double Barrel Tannat, Tallent Vineyards, Texas Hill Country, NEW RELEASE $55
Winner: Double Gold/Top of Class, 2025 San Antonio Stock Show. Platinum/Class Champion, 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Newsom Vineyards, Texas High Plains $70
Double Gold/Texas Class Champion 2025 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!
2023 Estate Picpoul Blanc, Camledge Vineyard, $34
New Release. An elegant, polished white wine, from the grape known as “the lip-stinger.” 2025 Silver award Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition.
1840 Culinaria Bending Branch Private Barrel Bourbon Blend, $115
Double Platinum 2024 ASCOT Awards, American Spirits Council of Tasters International Competition.
Bending Branch Winery: Selected Prior Newsletter and Magazine Articles
“’LIVE’ from Come Over October Events – Texas Hill Country,” Wine Wanderings, October 2024
“’LIVE’ from the Newly Launched Bourbon Distillery at Bending Branch Winery: Kentucky Roots and Texas Bred,” Wine Wanderings, March 2023
“Have a Healthy Wine: Bending Branch Winery, An Interview with Dr. Bob Young, M.D.,” Wine Wanderings June 8, 2021
“Fine Wine Defines the Texas Hill Country Experience,” PrimeWomen Magazine, December 2016
Editor’s Note: Watch for the weekly Wine Wanderings newsletter this Tuesday, February 4, featuring Raymond Vineyards, Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, and Bending Branch Winery: “Winemaker for the Day: Join a Custom Blending Experience.”