15 years and still enjoying this!

Hard to believe, but our blog is still going after 15 years. So much has changed and evolved in the wine industry over this timeframe, especially in Texas.  Within just the last year, the rise of Texas sparkling wine has taken off like a rocket.  It is not just the number of wineries moving into sparkling wine production, but the quality of the bubblies being made is quite remarkable. Additionally, when we look back over the rapid changes in weather for the growing season from 2024 to 2025 it seems like night and day. One thing for sure is that 2025 will be a unique vintage for Texas. Just over this decade and a half of wine writing has shown that Texas wines can age quite well. A few 10-plus year old vintages have been pulled out of the cellar for this past wine blogging year and have been thrilled to enjoy them. We are looking forward to featuring 15 and maybe even a couple of 20-year-old Texas wines in the future, so stay tuned.   We continue to have fun and find it enjoyable to be able to share with others as we sample each “Wine of the Moment.” Thank you for joining us on this journey and making this such a wonderful way to connect with other fellow wine fans. Cheers to another great wine year!

Mourvèdre Reserve – 2018; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

This wine is one mighty and exceptionally savory Mourvèdre to have! Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, it exhibits a deep garnet color on that first pour with initial notes of plum and raspberry to greet your wine senses. Sip and swirl and relish those extra flavors of dark cherries and some blackberry. It comes across nice and smooth and seems to Integrate well with the oak. Take another sip and you will pick up on a bit of spice, too. This wine could be comparable to a full bodied Pinot Noir, so enjoy every sip to your heart’s content. Cheers!

www.williamchriswines.com

Viognier – 2021; Solaro Estate Winery; Dripping Springs, Texas

A couple of extra years in the bottle have unfolded much in this wine. Harvested from the Texas High Plains AVA, it presents pronounced floral aromas that are immediately perceptible. Lemon and a bit of apple are the predominate notes along with distinct minerality that are evident after the initial sip. Just enough acids are present to add to that refreshing character feeling, as well. It is well balanced and leaves nothing to despair. Cheers!

www.solaroestate.com

Elisa Christopher Wines - Johnson City, Texas

When your passion for traditional style champagne methods is just itching at you, one can’t help but seek the opportunity to pursue those dreams and make them a reality. The Hill Country, as well as Texas, has been blessed with this unique winery’s focus on making quality sparkling wines. This new venture by owners Elisa and Chris Jones started with 2020 wine vintages (Merlot and Aglianico) and about nine tons of fruit. Since then, they have acquired property near Johnson City in 2022, and it has been full steam ahead since. The current location sits on 43 acres with a current “tiny” tasting room opened in the Summer of 2022. No worries, there is still plenty of room for shaded outdoor seating under a side patio or beneath large shady trees overlooking their tasting room entrance. Using French specialized champagne equipment, Elisa honors the traditions of méthode champenoise in every bottle of their sparkling wine. Although they are a boutique winery, they have set up an impressive full-scale production for producing Texas sparkling wine.  There are plans for future expansion and a vineyard too, for estate sparkling wines. About 12 acres are planned and you can look forward to Chardonnay being grown there for a future bubbly to savor. The soil does need some rehab, so they have planted some ryegrass and clovers, helping to bring that nutrient magic back to the site.

Currently, grapes for their sparkling and still wines are sourced from Texas Hill Country AVA, Texas High Plains AVA, and the highly sought after vineyards near Dell City. The winery has been under the incubator care of John Rivenburgh which has been an added blessing for this new startup locale.  Two main flights are on the list for tasting, “Only the Reds” and “I Like It All”. No matter what flight you pick, everything is very well balanced and super delicious. Let’s just dive right into the good stuff for starters. Being initially treated to the 2023 Sparkling Trebbiano will wet your appetite for what was to follow. It’s fruity, refreshing, and tingles all the way to your toes. This was equally complimented by the 2023 bubbly Grenache. A stunning introduction to their passion for sparkling wine proved that their wines were spot on. Their still wines were equally well crafted. The 2023 Vermentino was a great follow up to the sparkling wines showcasing bright, crisp, and refreshing citrus and floral honeysuckle notes. And who doesn’t like a good Texas Mourvèdre Rosé wine? Their 2023 vintage was left on the skins longer and is incredibly refreshing with lovely strawberry notes and good acidity.  Moving on to the reds was the 2022 Sangiovese. Aged for 18 months in a neutral oak, juicy cherries will dance across your palate coupled with a soft touch of smoke for tease. Following the Sangiovese was the 2022 Mourvèdre. Those plum and berry notes reigned supremely paired with a medium acidity.  Next in the tasting lineup was their 2023 Amelia.  Oh my! This version of a Bordeaux style red wine blend was simply fabulous. With a blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Malbec, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, its prominent notes of plum and cherry, plus that soft feel will be quite soothing for red wine lovers. Malbec lovers should be equally pleased with their 2021 vintage. Black pepper, plum, and some smoke will delight your palate, leaving you longing for a big juicy burger to pair with it in your future. The Tannat was also impressive with a deep, big and bold full body feel. The 2022 Segno II was the final wine sipped. This Tuscan style blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon was very balanced with medium acidity, and a lovely finish that will put a big smile on your wine face.

Having already made their mark on the Texas wine industry in such a short period of time is quite impressive. Proof that blood, sweat, and determination to pursue your passion and dream can pay off. Their pioneer effort in producing top quality sparkling wines in Texas is showing all the signs for a successful future ahead. This is a small, hands-on, friendly family run operation, and you should plan to chat and sip while you are there as the owners are happy to share their story and passion for this endeavor with you when you visit.  Being further off the HWY 290 traffic does bring a bit of serenity and quite nature Zen to the tasting experience, which you will find to be a bonus. This allows visitors to fully relax and get away from the crowds to embrace the hill country’s bountiful beauty. Can’t wait to visit again to sample future vintages. Santé!

www.elisachristopherwines.com

Vinho Verde Tinto – 2017; Llano Estacado Winery; Lubbock, Texas

Hello Vinho Verde! Crafted from Texas High Plains fruit, this red blend of Graciano, Tinta Cão, Tempranillo, and Touriga Nacional helps you reminisce everything that is great about Portugal all in one bottle. It is well balanced with a smooth texture and has a harmonious fruit flavor profile. Serve this one slightly chilled for the best sipping experience. Saúde!

www.llanowine.com

MukuZani – 2020; Silk Road Wines, Georgia

Presenting wine from the super old wine country! This wine was crafted from Saperavi grapes from the Kakheti wine region of Georgia. Do let it breathe and open up for optimal enjoyment then soak up all those notes of blackberry and blueberry. The wine exhibits a dark, inky color upon the first pour, almost like a Petit Verdot. Savor and swirl to experience additional nuances of raspberry, complemented by a hint of spice upon repeated tasting.  It comes across as full bodied with moderate acidity and a nice smooth finish. It’s almost reminiscent of something between a Malbec and Aglianico. Enjoy well!

www.silkroadwines.com

Euphoria – 2019; Heath Sparkling Wines; Fredericksburg, Texas

Ever since the beginnings of their sparkling brands, Euphoria has always hit the spot. This blend of 91.5% Chenin Blanc and 8.5% Trebbiano exhibits a lovely pale straw hue with an upfront citrus profile of lemon and grapefruit. Take a few extra sips and you’ll likely be treated to some pear, as well. It is crisp and bold with an ever so smooth and exceptionally fresh feel. This wine is a lovely refreshing bubbly to have. Cheers!

www.heathsparkling.com

La Pradera Vineyard Blend – 2020; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Drawing from the terroir of the Texas High Plains AVA, this vintage of the La Pradera Vineyard blend consists of 33% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Cinsault, 18% Carignan, and 9% Petit Verdot. It is a light red color as you pour your first glass and will greet you with an aromatic fruit forward nose sensation. This medium bodied beauty expresses flavors of ripe plum, juicy blackberry, and a touch of bright cranberry. Each sip offers a balance of depth and vibrancy, highlighting everything that is great about this vineyard. Raise a glass and enjoy this lovely blend. Cheers!

www.williamchriswines.com

Cuvée du Ruisseau – 2019; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

Sometimes small things deliver exceptional palate pleasers. This 187ml version of the famous Calais Merlot is a testament to that.  Harvested from Newsom Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, its rich and smooth texture is something to truly be noteworthy. Initial notes of blueberry come out on that first pour accompanied by some cherries. Sip and swirl and you might pick up on a hint of tobacco and maybe even some spice. That nice lingering finish is definitely something to remember this one for.  Lots of abundance of flavors to enjoy in this little guy. Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Sangiovese – 2018; Borgo Fulvia; Piacenza, Italy

Enjoying some Rubicone IGT Sangiovese is a treat, and this one is certainly a palate pleaser.  It is somewhat lighter than most Sangiovese wines and is quite fruity with prominent cherry notes. There is also a subtle hint of oak for added character plus a bit of earthy undertones.  Raspberry flavors are also present to compliment the overall tasting experience. Salute!

www.borgofulvia.it

Mourvedre – 2019; French Connection Wines; Hye, Texas

Clocking in at 15% ABV, this wine exhibits a light cherry hue on that initial pour for your eyes to engage. This destemmed Mourvèdre version of this vintage has a bit more pronounced fruit profile than the whole cluster version as well as a notable softer texture. You will discern mostly notes of cherries and berries from this Texas High Plains AVA fruit. It’s a great wine just to sip and savor all evening. Santé!

www.frenchconnectionhye.com