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
