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Three Rosewood Wines Medal in State Tasting Competition

Wine Winners – 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. From left to right: Shaun Ledesma, Jesse Maes and Darren Brown. They were joined by Rosewood Winery director Robert Willesden (right), who held two medals won at last year’s KGGWA conference. In addition to Blackberry Cabernet, Rosewood Winery won a medal last year for Ima Flashy Investment Exotic Fruits Zinfandel.

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. 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 and has been going strong ever since.

“We’re extremely excited at how our wines placed at this year’s conference,” said Tammy Hammond, Rosewood Services executive director and founder. “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.”