Schrock – 2006; Bernhardt Winery, Plantersville, Texas

This aromatically pleasant white wine is quite refreshing. This is a moderately sweet wine that is smooth, clean and slightly creamy. The light honey hued wine with a hint of fruitiness makes a wonderful sipping wine to be enjoyed catching up with friends, or paired... with slightly spicy or sweet dishes.

http://www.bernhardtwinery.com/

Rosato di Sangiovese – 2002; Alamosa Wine Cellars; Bend, Texas

This aged Rosé pairs well with any fish or stir fry meal. There is a subtle hint of spiciness to this slightly sweet wine, but not so much that it overpowers your senses. Thankfully, this Rosé isn’t overly sweet or too light, nor is it too bold. With a lovel...y deep plum/rose tint, to its unfiltered state, it is simply, a wonderful wine for this time of the year. Enjoy!

http://www.alamosawinecellars.com/

Solaro Estate Winery – Dripping Springs, Texas

One of the newest boutique wineries to open in Texas is making some high quality robust reds that will make you want to come back for seconds and thirds. Winemaking can be both an art and a science and this winemaker has done a superb job balancing both skills. This winery ...is dedicated to creating pure Texas pleasure via the grape with mostly 100% Texas sourced grapes from single sourced vineyards. Over half of their wines use Texas sourced grapes, making this winery a must visit for those truly passionate about more locally and Texas sourced products and wines. Their current lineup is all about the reds, with every one well worth sipping and enjoying. They cater to dry reds and are doing a fantastic job producing them, with Rieslings and Muscat soon to follow later this fall or early winter. The tasting room is a delightful spot with floor and ceiling windows allowing visitors to soak up some beautiful Texas hill country scenery of distant rolling hills amid the foreground of grapevines, while savoring the fruits of the harvest.

http://www.solaroestate.com/

Strawberry – NV; Lehm Berg Winery; Giddings, Texas

Made from Texas-grown strawberries, this wine is a very flavorful, crisp “fruity” strawberry wine. It has just the right sweetness to compliment almost any Texas meal or serve as dessert. Sadly, this winery unfortunately closed early last year. The owner made this an...d other great wines using German style methods passed down through their family. This was one of our most unique and fun winery visits, as our stop allowed us to personally visit with the elder husband and wife team that once had this establishment. Unfortunately, the wife has since passed away and the winery has closed, but we will never forget our delightful visit with them, their hospitality and the love they put into their products. You may still be able to buy some remaining stock from the Retreat Hill Winery near Navasota, Texas. We will miss this one.

www.lehmbergwinery.com

Gervasi Vineyard – Canton, Ohio

Located just outside on the east side of Canton, is an upscale Italian themed winery and vineyard.  The bistro is located inside a restored barn of the 1800’s. The grounds are set back from the road, with the large winery and bistro facing a small lake. The two story building has a downstairs outdoor patio with fire pits, as well as various chairs sitting under the trees down by the lake to allow visitors to linger with their wines while enjoying the beauty of the season. The look and feel of the inside of the barn sets a pleasant mood from their wine tasting selection.  Though the wines are not 100% Ohio grape varietals, many are in the Italian style, with dry deep reds, and well balanced whites. The experience is upscale, yet approachable and welcoming; with very warm service and excellent wines, the menu offers ample opportunity to find something to complement your wine selection or tasting. Don’t forget to stop by the marketplace before leaving to explore their seasonal selections and food offerings worth tucking into gift baskets.

www.gervasivineyard.com

Merlot – 2002; Spicewood Vineyards; Spicewood, Texas

This dry and bold merlot has just a hint of raspberry flavor to it. Leathery and subtle tobacco notes enhance the richness of this deep red worth savoring with a meal or alone.

http://www.spicewoodvineyards.com/

Sarah's Vineyard - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Nestled in the Cuyahoga National Park, Sarah’s Vineyards makes for a nice stop while traveling over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house.  The winery is roughly three years old, producing some 100% pure Ohio grape varietal wines, along with some California blends. Some good tasting wines made from the Niagara grapes grown in Ohio near Lake Erie are on the menu. The wines complement the natural scenery and history of the Cuyahoga Valley. As luck would have it, the winery is also home to various art mediums both indoors and out, with many for sale. The outdoor garden should also not be missed, and there is ample outdoor seating in front by the garden or off the back patio deck where better views of the vines and the surrounding forest can be taken in with your wine tasting. Stop by Wednesday or Thursday nights and enjoy fire roasted pizzas on either patio or inside the spacious interior of the lovely barn-style winery.

http://www.sarahsvineyardwinery.com/