Lost Draw Cellars – Fredericksburg, Texas

Located in the Texas High Plains, Lost Draw Vineyards has done their best at contributing to the Texas wine industry by producing some great grapes.  Many Texas winemakers can thank Lost Draw Vineyards for producing some top quality grapes for any number of wines produced by state wineries. Wine lovers know full well that good wine starts with good grapes….no ifs, ands or buts.  In Fredericksburg, you can now find their tasting room, Lost Draw Cellars - a collaboration of partners Troy Ottmers, Andrew Sides, and Andy Timmons.  Kim McPherson is also helping out with their initial wine making.  At the Fredericksburg tasting room (opened last Nov 21^st) you’ll be able to taste many of their quality wines.  The late freeze of 2013 was a detriment to many Texas high plains vineyards.  As a result, not all 2013 Texas vintages will be sourced from Texas grapes as wineries supplemented much of their grapes from New Mexico, California, and Washington.  Lost Draw Vineyards has since installed a wind machine to help combat late freezes and proved its worth during an April 2014 freeze.  Currently, there are eight wines for tasting.  For whites, start with the 2013 Arroyo Blanco.  It’s a blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that has good character and quite smooth.  Next, try the Gemutlichkeit.  It's blended with Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Roussanne that comes across as crisp and dry.  The other white is a Gewürztraminer. It’s a really good one to sip and swirl on a lazy afternoon. End off the white list with their very nice and refreshing French Colombard.   Now on to the reds!  The Arroyo Rojo is a Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan blend with a touch of Viognier.  It's a good enjoyable mellow red wine.  Their Tempranillo is a great one that lives up to the Texas reputation as Tempranillo country. It has good aroma, color, and quite fruit forward.   Lastly, you’ll savor the Sangiovese red wine.  This one is the star of the show!  Made from 40 year old vines (yes 40 year old Texas vines), it just has that quality taste and finish you’d expect from old world wines.  Sadly, we heard that Lost Draw will be pulling up these old vines, so this is likely one of the last vintages for their old Sangiovese grape vines.  The Arroyo Blush is a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Cinsault that is a bit sweet and refreshing when chilled with some tangerine like notes.  It’s always great to visit a winery when they first open.  The staff here are warm and welcoming and will treat you wonderfully. Troy can be found at the tasting room and is a good friendly guy to chat with, too.  So come check them out when you’re in town and enjoy Fredericksburg's newest winery and tasting room as we don't think you'll be disappointed!

www.lostdrawcellars.com