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Three Rosewood wines medal in state tasting competition
biz Rosewood wines
Three Rosewood Winery client-employees stand with their award-winning wines and the medals they won in mid-January at the KGGWA conference in Topeka. They are, from left: Shaun Ledesma, Jesse Maes and Darren Brown. They were joined by Rosewood Winery director Robert Willesden, right, who held two medals won at last years KGGWA conference. In addition to Blackberry Cabernet, Rosewood Winery won a medal last year for Ima Flashy Investment Exotic Fruits Zinfandel. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO


For the second consecutive year, Rosewood Winery has come home a winner from the Kansas Grape Growers and Winemakers Association Conference. The 28th Annual KGGWA Conference was held Jan. 17 and 18 in Topeka at Ramada West. In the “Taste of Kansas” wine competition, conducted during the conference, three Rosewood Wines earned medals.
Rosewood earned a gold medal for Sheza Lady Principle Peach Apricot Chardonnay. The Winery took home another gold medal for Spins Isabella Raspberry Dragonfruit White Shiraz. And Rosewood’s signature wine, Boots Made For Walking Blackberry Cabernet, medaled again this year, after winning gold last year.
Now in its second full year of operation, Rosewood Winery is the only winery in the nation devoted to providing employment opportunities to people with developmental disabilities, said Tammy Hammond, Rosewood Services executive director and founder. Located on the grounds of the Rosewood Ranch, 9 miles west of Great Bend near Pawnee Rock, Rosewood Winery opened its doors in October 2012.
“We’re extremely excited at how our wines placed at this year’s conference,” Hammond, said. “It goes a long way to prove that people with developmental disabilities can achieve much in life, if given the right opportunities and the proper environment to succeed. These awards are a direct reflection of their success as productive and valued citizens in our community.”
The tasting competition involved 14 wineries and more than 50 wines representing 10 categories. Rosewood earned awards in “Sweet White,” “Sweet Rosé,” and “Sweet Red” categories. More than 150 conference-goers sampled the wines and voted for their favorites.
Rosewood sells 21 varieties of wine at the Rosewood Wine Cellar at 1901 Lakin in downtown Great Bend. The wines can also be purchased at the Rosewood Winery, which is open on Thursday and Friday afternoons and by appointments. Check rosewoodcreations.com for a complete wine list and open hours at both locations.