Torre Di Pietra Winery – Fredericksburg, Texas

Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country Viticulture Area, these vineyards are thriving in the calcareous soils, unpredictable rains, and intense sunshine.  The results are a rich complexity of favorable wines that everyone should enjoy.  There is a quality selection of reds and a few whites to choose from and if you have the chance, try the reserve flight. We guarantee, you will not be disappointed!

http://www.texashillcountrywine.com/

Alamosa Wine Cellars – Bend, Texas

If you’ve been away from Texas too long, then start playing “Boogie back to Texas” and head on over to Alamosa Wine Cellars!  Located just north of Colorado Bend State Park, here one will find grapes being gown like they would in Italy, Spain and the Rhone. This is one of the few Texas wineries dedicated to such warm climate varietals.  Each wine has a pleasant bouquet that will help set the right mood for an afternoon tasting session.  If you’re lucky, there may even be some excellent goat cheese for sale on some weekends.  In 2011, they will be opening a new tasting room in Lampasas for 183/281 travelers. Be sure to be on the lookout for that.

www.alamosawinecellars.com

Vanilla Sherry – NV; Emerald Coast Wine Cellars; Destin, Florida

This unique dessert wine has a favorable aroma with a nice thick and rich taste that can help mellow any hard week you’ve had.  The sherry has a Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean right inside the bottle...yes, for real! The amber hued sherry imparts a caramelized vanilla flavor as it warms your spirits and mood. A nice after dinner treat to soothe away any worries.

www.emeraldcoastwinecellars.com

Fiesta Winery – Lometa, Texas

Fiesta Winery has just recently opened with a fine selection of sweet reds and white wines.  What makes their sweet wines so special and tasty is that not only are the traditional varietal grapes in the wine, but also fruit wines added in a special blend that makes for just the right compliment to the wine.  One could spend most of the afternoon just sampling their wines or mixing your own combination in your wine glass if you so choose.  Interestingly, the tasting room is the family’s former game room newly remodeled and make sure to take a peek at their historic outhouse.

http://www.fiestawinery.com/

Fall Creek Vineyards – Tow, Texas

Established in the mid 1970’s, this is one of the older vineyards of Texas.  Located on the northern part of Lake Buchanan, the rich sandy loam soil coupled with the warm days and cool breezes provides an ideal climate for growing quality grapes.  At the winery, one can find a wide selection of many great tasting quality and affordable wines.  When folks say you don’t need to pay $50 dollars or more for a high quality wine, then you know they’ve been to Fall Creek Vineyards.  Many of their great tasting and quality wines are under $20.

http://www.fcv.com/

Muscat Blanc – 2005; Times Ten Cellars; Dallas, Texas

After a freshly opened bottle of this wine, one will notice a pleasant scent of lemon, pineapple, and orange aromas.  The just ever so slight effervescent and subtle citrus taste gives the wine and delicious and enhanced flavor.  One will savor these flavors with visions of tropical breezes.  Enjoy!

www.timestencellars.com

Pahrump Valley Winery - Pahrump, Nevada

At first, one might think Nevada would be the least ideal place in the U.S. to grow wine grapes let alone having a winery.  Yet, tucked away in the southern part of the state is a quality vineyard and winery.  The winemakers are by no means newcomers to the industry as they have been wine making for over 20 years and even have their surnames on a select few quality wine bottles.  They have a good selection from reds to whites that should please both the sweet and the dry wine pallets.

www.pahrumpwinery.com

Sister Creek 4-Blend Reserve – 2006; Sister Creek Vineyards; Sisterdale, Texas

This classic and rich tasting wine is a great way to send off the old and welcome in the New Year! Made in the red Bordeaux Meritage style, both the bouquet and taste promote a pleasing smile. This winery has no problem aging wine for up to... three years to give it the quality taste that fine wine lovers seek. The blend is smooth with subtle tannins and tobacco notes and a full bodied dry red, making you notice how lovely it’s marriage of grapes are producing this outstanding rich taste.

http://www.sistercreekvineyards.com/