Texas Wine Industry Award
TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY AWARD: THE 2025 ‘DOC’ MCPHERSON AWARD IS PRESENTED
On Friday October 3, 2025, The ‘Doc’ McPherson Award was presented in Fredericksburg, Texas, at Cabernet Grill to Ross and Mariana Burtwell, Proprietors of Cabernet Grill.
The 'Doc' McPherson Award is presented annually by the SAGMOR FOUNDATION on behalf of its board and The McPherson Family. This very special award honors industry pioneer, Clinton ‘Doc’ McPherson, and is presented, "In Recognition of Outstanding and Continuous Work in, and Support of The Texas Wine Industry."
Owner, winemaker and son of Doc McPherson, on behalf of Sagmor Foundation and the McPherson Family, Kim McPherson presented the award to the Burtwells, who he has known for many years. “When the committee thinks about nominees, we think about ‘impact.’ This year, we started thinking about how much impact a restaurant can have on our industry with placement of Texas wines on the menu. There is one restaurant that stands above the rest when it comes to promoting Texas wines. And that restaurant is right here in Fredericksburg: Cabernet Grill. Ross and Mariana Burtwell have for many years poured Texas wines – exclusively – to patrons from all over the world! They have been ambassadors for Texas wines, as well as fans. I am personally very excited to present this much-deserved award to these two successful restaurateurs, and truly great people,” stated Mr. McPherson.
Ross and Mariana Burtwell have together led Cabernet Grill in Fredericksburg, Texas since 2002. The Texas Hill Country restaurant has been named one of the top-10 restaurants in the country; their wine menu features Texas wines, exclusively.
The “’Doc’ McPherson Award” is overseen and managed by Sagmor Foundation. Each year the awardee receives an award certificate and a vine from the State of Texas ‘historic place,’ Sagmor Vineyard - the McPherson’s estate vineyard, planted by ‘Doc’ McPherson in 1969.
Cabernet Grill and its owners Ross and Mariana Burtwell are honored to receive the 2025 Doc McPherson Award presented annually by the Sagmor Foundation to recognize outstanding and continuous work in and support of the Texas wine industry.
“All of us at the Cabernet Grill are honored to be recognized with the Doc McPherson Award named after an early believer in and pioneer of the Texas wine industry,” said Ross Burtwell. “It has been our pleasure to feature an all-Texas wine list and to introduce so many of our guests – many of whom are from out of state – to the wide diversity and exceptional quality of Texas wines. We are proud to carry on Doc’s legacy by celebrating the growers, winemakers and the Texas spirit that make this industry so special.”
Opened in 2002, the Cabernet Grill has become renowned for its inventive Texas Hill Country cuisine and boasts the most extensive all-Texas wine list in the country. Inspired by Executive Chef Ross Burtwell’s passion for Texas wine and desire to showcase the finest local ingredients, the Cabernet Grill menu is dynamic and ever-evolving, featuring seasonal dishes as well as those inspired by Burtwell’s international travels.
“What grows together goes together” is the mantra that inspired Cabernet Grill’s all-Texas wine list, which includes 200 different wines from over 50 different wineries. In 2024, Cabernet Grill opened the Gin Mill Lounge, featuring an unparalleled collection of Texas spirits and hand-crafted cocktails.