Nestled along a scenic back road between Stonewall and
Blanco in the Texas Hill Country, a boutique winery sits perched on the
hillside, offering breathtaking views of the Blanco valley. Originally part of
the Circle H ranch, it is a great local spot with a laid-back vibe, perfect for
those seeking authentic Hill Country charm. Owned by Kara Cleaver, who
developed an interest in wines during her 30s and eventually decided to embark
on this new adventure, the winery has been open since 2021. Kara has collaborated
with experienced winemakers to craft her exceptional wines, each themed around
the unique stories of the land from which they originated. The winery places a
strong emphasis on sustainable practices, from grape growing to winemaking, and
remains actively involved in local Blanco community events.
The tasting room has a cozy feel inside and is built from
repurposed and recycled materials, not to mention (again) the great views one
can enjoy from the hilltop vantage point. There is a patio on the back and side
of the space and ample outdoor seating with tables for folks to enjoy. There are
several wines to select from on the menu. So, no matter what your fancy is,
there is probably something on the menu you can find that suits you. For this
visit, six of the wines were sampled. The first was the 2023 Trebbiano. This
lovely white wine is light bodied with notes of stone fruit and lemon zest
making this white wine very appealing on a hot summer day. Next was the 2021
Albariño.
This full-bodied white wine sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA has citrus
on the nose followed by a fair amount of minerality and good acidity. For the Rosé
wine, the 2023 Ranch Road stood out as a light bodied and fruit forward wine
with a light ruby red color. It is a blend of Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris, sourced from Reddy Vineyards. Moving on to
the reds, the 2023 Circle H was sampled. This red field blend from Reddy
Vineyards circle field plot has a mix of just about everything. It is medium
bodied with notes of blackberries, tobacco, leather and a touch of smoke. The
next red wine sampled was the 2023 Petit Verdot. It has a lot of dark fruit
going for this full-bodied beast and some firm tannins that grab your
attention. Lastly, the 2023 Barrel Racer was sipped. This port style wine was aged
in Garrison Brother’s used whiskey barrels. Made with Syrah, it expresses some
good notes of tobacco, cherries and chocolate all in one sip! It is a
definitive sipper that is worth enjoying after your meal, or with dessert or
cheese.
The tasting room also has a kitchen in case you get the
munchies. Live music from local musicians helps complement the cool laid-back
vibe of this place along with your favorite glass of wine. The staff are very personable, welcoming and
attentive. They want to ensure you feel right at home. Kara’s new adventure is
proof that life changes can be successful. Cheers!
www.lavieestate.com
