Turtle Creek Vineyard – Kerrville, Texas

Over the river (or two) and through some woods, lies a fantastic new winery in the southwest rural area of Kerrville with heavenly views. Owners Dan and Sue Schulse founded this place back in 2016 with dreams of making fine estate wine after a lovely and inspiring trip to Tuscany in 2013. Most wine trekkers may be familiar with the Turtle Creek Olives and Vines tasting room that has been open in downtown Kerrville for the last few years. Now Texas wine fans can journey just a little bit further to see where the magic happens. As a family-owned and operated facility, this business functions not only as a winery and vineyard but also as a working farm with lambs, chickens, pecans, and other agricultural products. Their focus on sustainable farming practices and 100% estate grown Texas fruit is an unwavering commitment on their part and something you will appreciate when you visit. The property's unique microclimate, shaped by nearby hills, creek, and favorable soil conditions, supports the cultivation of high-quality crops.

Tannat and Mourvèdre constitute the largest number of vines, but there is also Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trebbiano, and a little bit of Merlot. Yes, good Cabernet Sauvignon can be grown in the Hill Country, but this locale has that unique setting that helps support that. Although wine production is currently done elsewhere, plans are underway to soon have everything done onsite. There are two main tasting options (mixed and reds). Pick whichever, you can’t go wrong! Starting off this tasting session was the 2024 Trebbiano. It has quite an impressive bouquet of tropical fruits, especially pineapple and some fantastic acids adding just the right balance. Next up was the 2024 Rosé. Made from Tannat, it has fantastic floral aromas and peach and caramel notes complimented with good minerality and a lovely shade of salmon. Moving to the reds, the first to be sampled was the 2023 Nine to Five. This blend of 64% Tannat and 36% Montepulciano expressed good dark fruit notes and good acidity along with moderate tannins. The second red that was sampled was the NV Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 2021 and 2022 vintages, this wine has a very opaque color with lots of dark fruit notes, firm tannins, and a bit of tobacco. Take your time sipping this one as it opens quite nicely over time. Following that one was the 2021 Red Blend. This red wine mix of 60% Montepulciano, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot is medium bodied, well balanced and has a nice touch of earthiness. Capping off the tasting was the 2023 Tannat. This deep bold red wine has a velvety feel and notes of dark berries with a touch of smoke. It can be a bit grippy right now, but it should smooth out with time. Coming in 2026 is a reserve Montepulciano along with a fantastic Mourvèdre to look forward to, so worth planning a visit this year to try them.

The tasting room and outdoor patio are both truly excellent and you will feel so comfortable. With beautiful hill country views and a relaxed setting next to the river, you just might want to camp here all night to soak up the vibes. Hopefully there will be some excellent live music when you stop by for a visit. Don’t forget to sample some of their super delicious food items, especially the lamb meatballs. The staff are quite knowledgeable and wonderful to work with during your tasting experience. Once you discover this charming little gem, savor every minute…and every drop of wine. Cheers!

www.turtlecreekvineyard.com

Texitalia – 2023; Wedding Oak Winery; San Saba, Texas

Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, this Italian varietal blend combines Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Merlot, Dolcetto, and Aglianico grapes, resulting in a wine with a light ruby hue and an inviting, easy-drinking profile. It is light-bodied with an exceptionally smooth feeling making it a pleasure to sip and savor. The wine expresses a bright, fruit-forward nose with notes of cherry and cranberry, complemented by hints of raspberry. This blend is a vibrant and an approachable wine that showcases the expressive Italian grapes that Texas can make here. Salute!

www.weddingoakwines.com

Marry Me Merlot – 2017; 1900 Winery; Art, Texas

The magic of Mason County fruit continues to be quite impressive and delivers consistent high quality fruit. Couple that with the spectacular 2017 Texas vintage, and you have one fantastic wine to savor all day. Just opening this bottle of notable Merlot still unfolds some delicate fruity aromas. It is quite smooth during your first sip and swirl tasting session, but do take time to relish those prominent berries notes and a touch of spice. Even non-Merlot drinkers would love this one to the end as it offers a broad appeal. You should probably drink now and savor all that you can for this vintage of Merlot. Enjoy well!

www.heartofarttexas.com/vineyards.html

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2019; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

Behold, exceptional fruit from the mighty Mason County area is here! Sourced from Tallent Vineyards, this Cab speaks out quite well to your bold taste buds. Cherry and blackberry are the partners in crime for this red beast. The color is semi opaque with tannins on the softer side. It is quite approachable for anyone and should pair quite nicely with any fine protein dish.  Savor this one for the long run!

www.lewiswines.com

Aglianico – 2021; Kuhlman Estate; Stonewall, Texas

This estate-grown Aglianico marks its first release for the winery. Grown along the HWY 290 wine corridor of the Texas Hill Country AVA, it offers a slightly lighter color than the traditional red Aglianico but does show off those plum and dark cherry notes quite well. Let’s also mention it has some great acidity to every glass that just further adds to freshness and balance in every sip. These vibrant flavors plus a touch of pepper make for an engaging and memorable Texas varietal experience. Cheers!

https://heathfamilybrands.com/k-estate/visit/

Barbera Rosé – 2023; Fly Gap Winery; Mason, Texas

Tallent Vineyards, situated within the Texas Hill Country AVA, grows some incredible grapes that Mason County has become known for. This Rosé vintage made from Fly Gap is a notably bright and fruit-forward version of Barbera from that vineyard. After pouring the first glass of this bad boy, prominent notes of cherries and melons are highlighted that help start off your lively sipping experience. There are also a little bit of spice sensations and a touch of strawberry, adding complexity and depth to the overall profile. These vibrant flavors and character of this wine reflect the county’s unique terroir and make a standout choice for those seeking fresh and expressive Texas wines. Cheers!

www.flygapwinery.com

12 Fires Winery & Vineyard – Johnson City, Texas

Welcome to 12 Fires! Nestled among live oak trees in a country setting, the rustic scene immediately helps you relax before even entering the tasting room. College friends and co-owners Duke Meadows, Mike Nance, and Zach Huyge have embarked on this new venture together along HWY 290's winery road. Each brings unique strengths to the table; all focused on creating memorable experiences for wine fans who visit. The winery’s name and logo are meaningful tributes—they reference the tragic A&M bonfire and symbolize renewal, resonating deeply with A&M alumni. The newly completed grand tasting room is spacious yet cozy, offering tranquil views and ample opportunity to engage with their team and fellow winery visitors. You can see the estate vineyard right out front, too. Their commitment to producing 100% Texas wine remains unwavering.

Co-owner, Mike, has been the principal winemaker for the winery. With the help of production facilities from Hilmy Cellars, there is a great selection of wines to choose from: light to full bodied to sweet. First to sample was the 2021 Trebbiano. Sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyards (Texas High Plains AVA), this white wine was aged in stainless steel and expresses some light refreshing tropical notes. Following that was the 2023 vintage of the same wine. The newer one has a bit more of an oak feel to it and good depth with 13% Marsanne. The next white wine to sample was the 2023 Colibri. This white blend of 46% Sémillon, 41% Albariño, and 15% Orange Muscat is dry, but expresses itself with a slight sweet sensation and has a good balance with lots of tropical fruit notes. Transitioning into the Rosé next was something completely funky, their Tempranillo Rosé. It has a good grip after that first sip coupled with medium acidity and lots of berry flavors. You might try to pair that Rosé with some pork belly to bring out its best. Following that one with another Rosé, was their 2021 Prudence. This Counoise based Rosé has more of a Provence feel with nice acidity and a good “ahh” feeling after each sip. For something extra special, do try the Whoop! (it’s an Aggie thing, FYI).  This wine is a sparkling bubbly Rosé crafted from 75% Blanc Du Bois and 25% Black Spanish that has great citrus accents, just the right amount of fizz, and good fruit flavors for your enjoyment. Moving on to the red wines, the 2022 Dolcetto was the first red sampled. This vintage was also sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyards and is a light red wine that is an easy sipper with notes of cherry accented with a bit of pepper. The 2023 Sangiovese is a red wine enthusiast must have. Sourced from White Rock Vineyards (High Plains), it is very reminiscent of a Chianti style red wine. It has moderate acidity with a savory depth yet a very fine finish. Texas and Mourvèdre have pretty much become synonymous over the last decade. Their 2023 Mourvèdre release from Canted County Vineyards is dry with some raisins and plums, plus a nice light finish. Grenache lovers will be satisfied with the 2021 vintage. Throw in a “splash” of Sangiovese and Aglianico and you have a great nose to geek out on along with good minerality and a touch of smoke. Proceeding on to the next wine was the 2022 Aglianico. This Pepper Jack sourced fruit checks the box on excellent dark berries and good tannins no matter how you may pronounce the wine name. Lastly, the Saw’em Off blend was sampled. This bold red wine is a classic blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Grenache, and 10% Cabernet Franc. It presents strong notes of berries and plum rounded out with a touch of spice.

The hospitality provided by Duke and the staff is quite amazing. Situated in a discreet location off the main highway, the venue allows guests to enjoy both natural surroundings and a curated selection of wines. There is ample seating inside at the bar or side tables, as well as on their patio or out at their picnic tables amid the trees if you’re looking to really soak in the nature vibes as you enjoy your wine. The establishment offers a relaxed environment suitable for unwinding. In addition to an assortment of wines, there are various food options available, including some amazing pizzas. For those seeking a destination, that’s all about the customer experience, this location checks the box. Cheers!

www.12fires.com