Rosemary’s Vineyard & Winery - La Grange, Tx

The folks here started up this winery about seven years ago. Located along the rolling hills on HWY 71, they are situated just east of the town of La Grange.  Owner, Emmett Schulze, started out with some estate grape vines in 2000, but learned by “experience” what grows well and what doesn’t for this area.  Most grapes now come from west Texas or the high plains, but they still have a few locally produced, as well.  Currently, there are about seven wines for tasting located in the new bigger tasting room.  Much better than the smaller one many people may have visited before.  They have your traditional Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot plus some nice Muscadines. They have both red and white Muscadine wines that are surprisingly smoother than some others made in Texas.  Check out the Lenior, too, as its flavors should be palatable for most red wine drinkers. We think the White Zinfandel is the one you might remember most at this place.  It’s a very pleasant that is a lightly crisp wine that when chilled would be perfect for those hot days. This is a nice little stop as you’re heading back and forth between Austin and Houston, with a country setting just off the highway, inviting you to sit a spell and relax as you enjoy the wines and the pretty scenery. The tasting room has ample space, so feel free to stop in and visit a while.

wines-made-in-texas.com

Marsanne – 2005; Stone House Vineyard; Spicewood, Texas

A Marsanne you say?  Why, yes!  Bottled under their Australia wines, Stone House Vintners, this white wine comes from old Australian vines in the Wrattonbully area.  Here is what you get with the aromas: lemon & honeysuckle.  This Marsanne wine is medium bodied with a crisp taste, slight acidity, and perhaps a bit higher alcohol content.  The color looked very well intact, given its age.  If you’re tired of Chardonnay’s, give this lovely white a try. It can be served both chilled or room temperature. Enjoy!!

www.stonehousevineyard.com

Malvasia Bianca – 2009; Llano Estacado Winery; Lubbock, Texas

This white wine is an excellent dessert wine to serve after a good hearty meal or sweet wine to serve with spicy dishes.  The grapes were sourced from New Mexico.   It has some wonderful honey suckle and citrus aromas to kick start your tasting experience.  There’s just enough sweetness in the wine to help give it that nice dessert feeling, yet not so much as to overpower the natural grape flavors.  It tastes as if it has higher alcohol content as well.   Too bad it’s only in a 500ml bottle, but sometimes good stuff comes in smaller packages, so don’t let that discourage you from picking up any of these bottles!

www.llanowine.com

Compass Rose Cellars – Mason, Texas

An up and coming small boutique winery has now opened in Mason, Texas.  Owner, Mark Watson, has finally seen his dream realized of combining art and science into wine making.  Winemaker, Rob Nida, has been around the block at Woodrose Winery and William & Chris Vineyards.  With his years in Europe and Oregon, Rob is ready to make his mark on the Texas wine industry.  Grape crushing started in 2011 and now they are open for business.  Many Texas wine travelers may have already come across their wines at area events.  They currently have two great tasting wines to try.  Their Pinot Grigio grapes were sourced from Mason County.  Chilled, it makes for a clean, crisp wine with a nice floral aroma. The second wine currently available is a Merlot which was actually their first wine release.  Grapes were sourced from Granite Hill Vineyards. This is an excellent red wine to try and not your typical “mellow” merlot!  In the barrels, they have Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and a few others just to name a few.  More selections will definitely be coming next year.  Add this place to your list of must stops and be sure to pencil in some time in the future for a revisit when they have new wines released. Though you may need to drive a little to get to this location, it is well worth it. Mason now has a couple of wineries offering some very interesting options, so take a field trip and take yourself off the beaten path to check out the options that this wonderful area has to offer.

www.compassrosecellars.com

Red Roan – 2004; Lost Oak Winery; Burleson, Texas

Many wine lovers would agree that there’s nothing like a well aged red wine to make your day.  Fortunately, this wine is no dud.  This red wine vintage is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon (64/36).  The color has held up quite well over the years.  Little color separation is noticeable.  The peppery and smoky aromas will entice your taste buds for some intense flavors to come.  Boy, are they intense!  The mixture of oak and smokiness lingers longer than expected which gives a whole new meaning to a fine finish.  The tannins have balanced well over the years making you, perhaps, smacking your tongue for more, yet they are smooth and soft.  This is a big, bold, full bodied red. Nothing less than a good chunk of red meat should be paired with this wine.  You may notice the name on the bottle is a little different than the winery name.  They were Lone Oak before renaming to Lost Oak (someone else grabbed the first name).  Make sure you get that big red wine glass out and fill it full.  There’s no sense in keeping leftovers for the next day.  This wine was made to be enjoyed all evening long!

www.lostoakwinery.com

Chardonnay – 2005; Fawn Crest Vineyards; Canyon Lake, Texas

If you happen to have this vintage from Fawn Crest, don’t even try to taste this one at room temperature.  Chilled is the only way to go!  Its golden straw color is quite elegant, but you will notice some variation in color.  That’s ok because it’s been ageing a while for a white.  There are pleasant fruit aromas on the first whiff.  This is not an overly buttery Chardonnay, but it is quite crisp, with some minerality as well.  Oddly enough, there was still a slight effervescence to the taste, when we initially opened this one.  This wine could easily pair with your favorite seafood dish.  Enjoy this one when you’re really ready to enjoy it!  Just try not to wait too much longer.

www.fawncrest.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blue Lotus Winery – Seguin, Texas

Along the Guadalupe River Valley, is a new winery that has staked its claim in the Texas vineyard and wine industry.  This isn’t your typical Cabernet or Chardonnay shop, but something more distinct and different for the wine explorer. Opened for about a year, Michael and Melissa Poole also serve mead under Texas Mead Works.  You have the option of selecting five or 10 wines for tasting.  There are plenty of wines to choose from, so we would suggest the 10 wine tasting so that you can try out the meads as well.  Grapes are sourced from the Texas High Plains, except for the Black Spanish which is estate grown, and the Carmenere and Primitovo grapes come from New Mexico.  The estate vineyard has a variety of grapes being grown that include: Black Spanish, Blanc du Bois, Lake Emerald, Lomanto, Norton, Roucaneuf, Champanel and Mortenson.  These grapes have proven resistant to the diseases that tend to plague vineyards in these parts of the U.S.  Eventually, the Pooles hope to produce 100% Texas grape wines.  Their mead is sourced from a honey farm near Rogers, Texas.  The grape wines are fermented in stainless steel and aged in French and American oak barrel. There were six wines available for tasting during our visit.  Among the whites are: Grande Blanc (multi-blend), Malvasia Bianca, Viognier and Late Harvest Riesling. The Riesling is sweet, but not syrupy sweet, and quite flavorful. The reds include: Primitivo, Carmenere, and Black Lotus.  The reds are relatively young, but should continue to get better with some age. The meads list is quite extensive, but if you must choose we suggest starting with the dry mead.  It will be more palatable for those that aren’t into sweet wines.  The Minstrel’s mead is quite good and is a blend of different floral aromas.  You may also want to dive into the Cyser which is a well balanced honey/apple blend.  It is very delicious and would make a great dessert wine.  And if you like the Blackberry mead, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a “port” version coming out in several months.  We sampled some that was about to be barreled and it was awesome!  The winery has a tasting room under construction on the front of the estate that they hope to open in the near future.  You’ll definitely remember the wines you had here as they are a little less traditional and more unique. The owners are also really good company and seem to be enjoying their work as they continue to expand their business.

www.bluelotuswinery.com

French Colombard – 2006; Dry Comal Creek Vineyards; New Braunfels, Texas

This “semi-sweet” is a bit sweeter than semi sweet, but not as sweet as a Muscat.  It has strong tropical aromas, yet these translate in a more subtle manner on the palate. This is a smooth wine with little acid. We definitely recommend serving this wine chilled, but it’s up to you if you want it with food or not. It is a lovely wine to enjoy on its own, but if you choose to serve it with food, dare to be bold and pair it with some well seasoned fish, spicy or Asian dishes.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised how well they complement each other.  This wine is a 2007 Lone Star International Wine Competition winner.  If you've cellared this one properly, it will still be good.  Enjoy!

www.drycomalcreek.com

Texas Honey Wine – Yepez Family Vineyards; Baytown, Texas

Sweet things can come in small bottles!  Try this one as a standalone to get the full feel of the experience.  The deep golden color can be an eye catcher, but the intense floral aromas will be the first thing that you’ll quickly notice after opening.  This wine is delightfully sweet, but not syrupy. Though this is a honey wine, don’t prejudge based on prior mead experiences, as this is decidedly different in taste. Though there is a lovely sweetness, this does translate to the palate more like wine verses mead. Try it chilled if you want a cool hot summer dessert treat.  Mead lovers should also approve, but this would also fit well with sweet wine lovers. This time of year, it definitely pairs nicely with falls tasty spiced desserts. Enjoy!

www.yepezvineyard.com

Poteet Country Winery – Poteet, Texas

Past the cow farms, old windmills, along an uneven dirt road and into a former dairy barn is a winery in South Texas that has been making some mighty fine fruit wines for the past 16 years.  The founding owners, Jim Collums and Bob Denson, may have come at wine making in this part of Texas from different directions, but their interactions with the Poteet Strawberry Festival helped spawn a new beginning in their Texas lives.  The wines available may vary a bit based on supply and demand, however the lineup typically includes Strawberry, Mustang, Blackberry, and Peach wine.  You won’t find any fructose in these wines either. The fruit is local and the taste is as big as Texas! There is a Strawberry/Mustang blend that is well balanced and has a lovely flavor profile.  Sometimes mustang grape wines can be a bit ”harsh”, but the strawberry blend helps highlight the best flavors of both. The mustang grapes grow wild locally and are used for the wine. The reserve Blackberry and Strawberry wines are really good and are made using the ice wine method which yields a rich intense flavor. This winery demonstrates that you can make some fine fruit wines in the state. The tasting room is interesting, rustic and has staff that makes you feel warm and welcomed.  It’s a nice South Texas country feeling down here, so come have a sip!

www.poteetwine.com

Dry Rosé Merlot – 2006; Driftwood Estate Winery; Driftwood, Texas

The grapes for this wine were sourced from Paso Robles. Once the bottle is opened, you’ll notice a buttery scent and the light red color as you pour your first glass.  The cherry flavors are quite nice and the wine is medium bodied and has aged rather nicely. The fruit flavors are well balanced and though it is dry it is not too dry, making it a very lovely and easy option for pairing with food or enjoying on its own.  Little, if any, degradation was detected during tasting and was still good two days later (with a vacuum pump, of course).  Just about any dish would pair well with this Rosé. We even enjoyed some mild cheese with ours and it paired well with this one!

www.driftwoodvineyards.com

Graciano – 2010; Alamosa Wine Cellars; Bend, Texas

As far as we know, this is the first winery to take a stab at making this single varietal wine in Texas.  Boy, have they done a terrific job!  Quite honestly, we think this wine could blow the cork (aka socks) off of any highly sought after wine.  It’s so good and not too common varietal, we were debating whether to keep this one a secret or not.  But what the heck, great wine like this should be shared and appreciated by all!  Many of you have probably come across wines with fabulous aromas that you just love. Well, this is one of those wines.  Seriously, just keep inhaling the lovely aromas and studying the color in the glass as you begin to appreciate all it has to offer. It’s ok… don’t be embarrassed because it only psyches you up for the tasting part.  But before you do, take a moment to notice the deep purple color and give it a good swirl.  Tasting it will make you a believer in the Elysium Fields.  Soft tannins are noticeable, while big ripe black cherry and berry fruit dances across your taste buds. Happy mature grapes gladly gave themselves for this wine!  The flavors pack everything from earthy to berries to tobacco and more.  This wine has a lower acidity and a very deep purple hue with lovely spice notes.  Graciano is not found much outside of Spain.  It is a low yielding fruit, but has potential and promise to be a good varietal for Texas.  We heard another release may be coming in December of 2012.  We might have to drive over the river and through the woods for more of this one!  Cheers!!

www.alamosawinecellars.com

Alexander Vineyards - Fredericksburg, TX

“And now for something completely different” – a motto that owner Claude Alexander has ‘borrowed’ to describe his venture into the Texas winery world.  This new winery has just opened up and is located on the east of Fredericksburg off of Highway 290.  Claude has taken the time and effort to partner with some well established wineries in France to make his own wine to import and sell in Texas.  The grapes and wines are from France and Germany, but unlike most wine importers, he has actually worked with the winemaker and selected specific wines to produce under his label.  There are currently five wines to select from for tasting with more to be available later this year and early next year.  There are two champagnes, one made of 100% Chardonnay and the other from Blanc de Blanc and Pinot Noir. Yes, these are real champagnes and composed of Grand Cru fruit.  Both are quite good and a very exciting option for champagne lovers, as they are the real deal offered through a Texas winery! They are not super dry like some traditional champagnes and the alcohol content is not so high, so you won’t feel so “bubbly” after having a bottle.  There is a good Riesling also available that is very well balanced. The Riesling grapes are from the Mosel area of Germany.  Lastly, there are two Graves to try.  The red is 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The White is 55% Semillion and 45% Sauvignon Blanc.  Both Graves have great balances and aromas to enjoy.  These “old world” wines should help calibrate and broaden your wine sipping sensors so you can compare other wines to these created in the heart of the best wine producing areas for each of these various types of wines.  Claude also has plans to bring in some wines under his label through partnerships with wineries in Italy and possibly Spain.  He is very knowledgeable about his wines and what he is doing.  Don’t be put off by the “temp” trailer tasting room, as you can see the plans he has on the walls for future buildings and bed and breakfast cottages. This place is worth your valuable wine visiting time and he is very happy to share his story with those that stop in to explore what Alexander Vineyards currently has to offer.  Enjoy his hospitality and as well as the shade of the big oak trees on this wine country estate. We look forward to seeing the ground breaking on his new tasting room in the near future and the continued growth of his menu offerings. It is exciting to have something totally new and unique being offered to Texas wine connoisseurs.

www.alexandervineyards.com

Canto Felice – NV; Mandola Winery (now Duchman Family Winery); Driftwood, Texas

“Oh my!” Those will be the first thoughts that pop into our heads when we sipped this wine. As one of the early wines for this winery, one can appreciate the quality and how it impressed those first visitors. Made primarily of Sangiovese grapes, this wine is also blended with other varietals as well. The result is a very smooth and pleasant wine. You’ll notice a touch of sweetness, but it’s just on the edge of being considered a sweet wine. The balance between the sugars and acids is very nicely done. The bright red color is an eye catcher and the cherry and strawberry flavors are notable after the first few sips. It is a luscious fruit forward selection that is very nicely balanced. This wine pairs well with spicy foods, but can stand on its own as an after dinner treat too. It’s not common to find such a good quality red wine that is suitable for any drinking mood; however, we find this one very versatile. Either way, you’ll likely find a reason to say, “Just pour me a little bit more”. This is one of the original wine bottles from what was once the Mandola winery. We only wish we would have bought more! Now it is Duchman Family Winery, which is still a very cool place to visit if you get a chance.

www.duchmanwinery.com

Blueberry Wine - Wimberley Winery; Driftwood, Texas

This sweet blueberry wine is quite delicious. It is light bodied and not as overpoweringly sweet as some fruit wines can be. This wine has a stronger and much deeper red color than purple
and can be easily mistaken for a red wine just by the looks. There are wonder full aromas of blueberries to tempt your nose just before sipping. This one makes a delightful any time wine to enjoy whenever the mood pleases. Serve this one either way - chilled or at room temperature and it’s still good! This wine proves fruit wines aren’t just reserved for dessert.

www.wimberleyvalleywinery.com

 

Peach Creek Vineyards – College Station, Texas

With two years under their belt, this small boutique winery south of College Station is producing some fine local wine. Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t a place that only deals in peac
h or fruit wines. They have vineyards planted. Ken and Donna Stolpman are the owners and took a stab and planted grapes back in 2008. Upon the grand entrance to their estate, you’ll notice the large overhanging sign with the winery name arched on top. After entering the gate, you’ll notice rows and rows of grapes in the vineyard lining the country side. We especially liked the initial “warning” sign that this is a stress free environment! Most of the vines planted are Lenoir, Muscadine, Lomanto and Noble varieties – about five acres in all. These grapes do quite well in this part of Texas. There is a large covered area for larger wine gatherings. Inside, you can pull up a chair to the closest barrel and start your tasting session. There are five whites and five reds to choose from. With eye-catching names like Bodacious, Fireside, and Rudy’s Red, you’ll surely find something on the wine list to tempt you. The mixed cabernet reds were quite good. The in-tuned wine lover will notice the Chambourcin wine available (not too commonly found in Texas). Their smooth tasting and semi sweet white wines are quite good, too. If you get a chance, you should also try the Ruby Red dessert wine. It’s chocolate and almond sweetness might make you crave for more and you should appreciate the reduced calorie way to get both your wine and chocolate fix in one glass. Although they are located a bit further out of town in the “sticks”, you can still here that aggie yell during football games. Just keep drinking some good wine they have and enjoy the company as you relax lingering in the tasting room or enjoying their outdoor seating on their porch or covered patio area.

blog.peachcreekvineyards.com

Skinny Dippin’ – NV; Fiesta Vineyard and Winery; Lometa, Texas

This clean sweet white wine is quite interesting. It is crisp and refreshing, which is welcomed on a sizzling summer day. The wine is a Riesling however; this one definitely
has a strong apple note and bouquet. There is just a tad bit of effervescence noticeable when held up to the light, but you will also notice the deep golden color as well. Definitely serve this one chilled to enjoy its character. Don’t be surprised if you initially think this is an apple cider wine, as there is a very distinct apple flavor, however, when you pair this with food, like a delicate vegetable based soup, you will find a decidedly different flavor profile. Experiment, taste, try, and enjoy. We think this is a great wine for this time of year.

www.fiestawinery.com

San Fernando Academy – 2011; Pontotoc Vineyard, Pontotoc, Texas

We had previously posted our thoughts on Pontotoc’s Tempranillo wine back in early July. This is one of their red blends from their yet to be opened winery. It has just about
every red grape found in many Texas wines with a bit of Carignane, as well. The official composition list is: 27% Cabernet Franc, 26% Sangiovese, 16% Mourvedere, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Carignane, 6% Tempranillo, 3% Grenache, and 1% Syrah. Shall we call this one, L’Évier? We aerated this one and let it breathe about 20 minutes before sipping. We found this one to be a smooth drinking wine that is fairly well balanced considering how many grapes were combined to create this “brew”. The initial aromas are quite lovely with hints of cherry and raspberry and just a tad bit of smokiness. For those who favor rich red wine blends, this is a lovely wine that is extremely smooth and very easy to drink. We strongly suggest you try it or buy to take to that next dinner party you’re invited to, as this one will be much appreciated. Not bad for a young wine either. We have another bottle in the cellar and will give it a try a few years down the road. The complexities have potential to continue to meld well with age. In hindsight, it would have been interesting to use a decanter with this one instead and see what differences arose. Like its Tempranillo sister wine, this one has won awards from the 2013 Finger Lakes, Houston Rodeo, and San Francisco Chronicle International competitions. We’ve also heard that there is a third wine they bottled, yet have been unable to locate any bottles. Guess we may have been too late to score any of those. If anyone one knows where or would like to share with us a bottle, we would be happy to give our 2-cents on it. Latest winery rumors are that they plan to open in 2014 now instead of this fall, but you never know, something could still change.

www.pontotocvineyard.com

Winery on the Gruene – Gruene, Texas

Nestled off of the main road just north of town, is a tasting room that specializes in fruit infused wines. You name it, they’ve likely infused it! Partners Don and Debbie Parker as well as John Czakowski opened this shop about five years ago. They have a wide selection of wines that can be a bit overwhelming to choose from at first. But have no fear as their friendly hospitality can help you make a good selection. Their grapes and juices are sourced from a select group of locals from across the world. Most of the fruit used in the fruit infused wines come from California. Just looking at the bottles you’ll notice that many are sourced from the Americas (North & South). For a mere $2, you have the choice of selecting four wines for tasting. There is a good assortment to choose from to suit most palates. They are especially known for their award winning fruit infused wines. While not an uncommon technique, it takes a bit of art and science to get just the right balance so that the fruit doesn’t overpower the wine and the grape taste just doesn’t fizzle out. They seemed to have accomplished the right balance. We didn’t come across a bad one during our tasting. By the way, the Strawberry Riesling impressed us a lot! We found it better than the Strawberry wines we have tried thus far. This is a worthwhile place to stop and sip next time you’re in Guene.

www.gruenewinery.com

Labor Day Reward

2001 Pheasant Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

2010 Ache Roussanne

Sparkling Raspberry – Flat Creek Estates; Marble Falls, Texas

Crafted from Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc grapes, this semi dry sparkling wine is quite refreshing. There is a slight tart taste yet the wonderful raspberry flavor just totally dominates the experience and dances across your taste buds. It does have a slight Rosé color to it, so you may want to “blind taste” first so that your eyes don’t “pre-taste” the wine. It is a lovely sparkling option for special occasions, or just because you’re in the mood for some fruitful bubbly. This also pairs nicely not only with chocolate, creamy or berry desserts, but also with light and delicate cheeses. Regardless if you choose to pair this with food or not, we think you are going to like it.

www.flatcreekestate.com

Grapestomp Season!

White Rosé of Ivanhoe– NV; Homestead Winery; Ivanhoe, Texas

This wine has an elegant feel and strong fruit forward aroma. The light golden color in the wine glass is definitely an eye catcher. This white wine is more of a semi-sweet. It is not overpowering and it does have a soft finish. It is a well balanced white that can please those who want something on the cusp that is not too dry, nor a sweet option. When served chilled, this wine pairs nicely with many light foods. It is equally pleasing on its own.

www.homesteadwinery.com

Cross Timbers Winery – Grapevine, Texas

The tasting room is located at one of Grapevine’s oldest farmsteads built in 1870’s. It is also the oldest home north of town with classic Victorian architecture and surrounded by old oak and pecan
trees. The place may be different than most wineries in and around Grapevine, but you’ll definitely love the unique character it has to offer. The winery itself serves both Cross Timbers and some other Texas wines, as well as wines from Mexico. It was opened in 2000 and is owned by Don Bigbie. There are four whites and four reds to choose from for tasting under the Cross Timbers label. Their grapes are sourced from the Texas High Plains and the wines are all quite good and will pair well with the cheese and cracker plates they have available. A special treat that you will get here are wines from one of the oldest wineries in North America - Casa Madero, Mexico! The Casa Madero wines have that classic deep, rich, full body flavor for red wines. You may come here for Texas wines, but don’t be surprised if you walk out with a few Casa Madero wines, too! This winery also serves some lovely sparkling wines, though they are not available for tasting, they are available for purchase. This is a delightfully intimate small venue that is a lovely spot to stop in and get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Grapevine crowds and just relax with a glass of wine and some company. Expand your wine horizons and step out and try something new by sampling some of Texas’ and Mexico’s wines here.

 

www.crosstimberswinery.com

 

Peach Wine – Dixie Wine Company, Bullard, Texas

This is a fairly sweet peach wine with a slight effervescence. Strangely, the aromas initially are reminiscent of a Riesling. This wine definitely has that strong peach flavor. It tastes even better chilled. Because this is a fruit wine, it is not meant to linger in the wine cellar very long. It is made to be enjoyed soon, just like fresh peaches have a season to enjoy them. So, make sure to drink the bottle within a few months of purchase. Try pouring some over vanilla ice cream as well. It’ll give a whole new flavor dimension to your peach ice cream too!

 

 

www.facebook.com/dixie.wine

Harvest Season!

Harvest Season is just beginning! Wear your favorite grape-stained clothes and volunteer at vineyard near you. It's fun and you get to hang out with cool people.

Three Year Anniversary!

Wow! Three years under our wine belt and still going strong. It seems like so much has happened since the beginning. We still have great memories of our first posting on Bending Branch Winery. Their Tannat wines were just awesome, to say the least. We’ve stopped by a couple times since then and are very impressed how their quality and selection has grown! The smaller boutique wineries tend to have that special quality that you don’t always get in larger production facilities. There just seems to be that personal touch that everyday wine lovers appreciate. Many of these boutique wineries are seeing higher demand for their wine which in turn puts more pressure to ramp up production (and price). Hopefully, they can still keep their small hand crafted country charm as they compete with the big boys. By far, we have been quite smitten with the smaller boutiques as they continue to bring such high quality options to the tasting room, offering different varietals for us to continue expanding our wine repertoire. On a different note, we can also report some exciting and big news! One of us is now a certified Viticulturist. Guess that makes us a little more “educated” when talking about vineyards and grapes. As the fall harvest season approaches we are evaluating our options and offers to help bring in this year’s bounty (we work for wine, too). We are looking forward to some more great harvest adventures. Looks like we'll also have a few special treats to post over the next year, including some hard to find and great tasting 10+ year old wine. Hold on to your wine glass, because there is still yet a lot more to pour on this blog! Cheers!!

Buckin Horse Sweet Red - NV; Flat Creek Estate; Marble Falls, Texas

This sweet red blend is very fruit forward when initially opened.  The fruitful scents tend to linger even after it aerates. The initial sips taste like dark fruit, berries, and then are followed by a strong lingering toasty notes.  Some tannins are present, but are overshadowed by the toasted and slightly smoky end notes.  This bottle was from the last year that the wine was crafted by the former winemaker at this winery. When we opened the bottle, we likewise noted that there may have been some decomposition of our cork, so the end notes for this wine and the flavor profile may have been impacted by some oxidation over time. The wine can be served chilled as well for a refreshing red to help combat the hot summer temperatures.

www.flatcreekestate.com

La Buena Vida Vineyards - Grapevine, Texas

This has got to be one of the coolest places in Grapevine to have a winery and event center.  The outside Spanish style-décor makes you feel cool and relaxed even during the heat of the Texas mid summer season.  With the semi covered patio, fountain, and white blocks, you could easily start to imagine yourself sipping wine at some Mediterranean local.  There is ample parking, so no worries about not being able to find a spot. The inside has a spacious tasting room and bar with an almost Moroccan décor.  There are additional rooms in the back for events. Operating since 1992, this has become a special place for events and parties.  There are many wines to select from for tasting, mostly from Texas, but there are also higher end Napa Valley wines for sale in the tasting room.  The La Buena Vida wines are bottled under the Tranquilo brands name of which three are available to try. All include screw caps and grapes sourced from the Texas High Plains.  The red is a Mourvedre/Carignan blend.  You can definitely taste the influence of the Carignan wine.  The Rosé is a Cinsaut /Mourvedre mixture and is quite refreshing when chilled. The color is a soft pink with notes of candied apple at the finish.  The white Tranquilo wine is a Chenin Blanc/Viognier blend and is quite nice with a semi-sweet taste and not too overpowering. The white is definitely made for summer sipping!  They have a winery at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport called La Bodega Winery.  There, you can also try a selection of Texas wines while waiting for one of those infamous long layovers.  As one of the older vineyards in Texas, many Texas wine lovers can appreciate the rich history here and its original owner, Dr. Bobby Smith.  He has helped pioneer much of the Texas Wine industry, as well.  Life can be good here, so take time to enjoy this place next time you’re in town.

www.labuenavida.com

Foxy Blue; St Rose Vineyard and Winery; Pittsburg, Texas

This blend of blueberries and red muscadine grapes gives it a unique sweet taste. Needless to say, it is a fruitful, bright full bodied wine. For those that are not muscadine wine drinkers, the addition of blueberries does give it a more pleasant taste. You could pair this with desserts, but it also stands well on its own. Serve it chilled on a hot summer afternoon for a very refreshing sweet tasting wine.

 

www.strosewinery.com

 

Tempranillo – 2011; Pontotoc Vineyard; Pontotoc, Texas

Central Texas wine lovers have been hearing a lot about new wineries coming “online” in the next several months.  One of them is Pontotoc Vineyard and although they are not officially opened yet, we were able to acquire some bottles and decided to try one out.  This estate grown 100% Tempranillo wine is already a medal winner at the Houston Rodeo & Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.  It’s smoky with a medium body, but lacked a good finish when first sipped after opening.  However after it aerates, the flavors do become more complex the longer it breathes. Subtle tannins are noticeable with this release, but, they are not overpowering, so for those who don’t like their wines overly tannic, this should still be a fine option. Overall, it was enjoyable and not a bad wine for a first release. It has the potential to age well in the cellar.  We’ll keep the other bottle in the cellar and compare notes when it is opened several years from now.  So, stay tuned and in the mean time, enjoy some wine and plan to check out this winery once they open their tasting room officially this coming October.

www.pontotocvineyard.com

Hye Meadow Winery – Hye, Texas

A brand spanking new winery is in the Texas Hill Country!  In fact, it’s so new that it’s still under construction!  Well, that doesn’t prevent this winery entrepreneur from unofficially opening up their doors.  Owners Mike & Denise Batek may have started ankle deep in the winery business with a couple of barrels over at William & Chris Winery, but now they are all in and there’s no turning back.  Besides a hope and a dream, Mike is a graduate of Texas Tech’s viticulture program.  Along with Jeff Ivy, the winemaker, these two gents are working on building a fine facility in Hye as well as making some great wine.  The wine production building is where tasting is currently done.  It is quite spacious and looks like it has capacity for their current and future needs.  There are currently five wines available for tasting.  All grapes were sourced from Washington, but don’t let that dissuade you from trying them (sometimes when wineries get started, they have to source grapes from out of state until they get their own vineyard situated).  To our die-hard Texas wine lover readers, keep in mind that Washington has some excellent grapes.  The two whites available are a Chardonnay and a Gewurztraminer blend, both 2011. The Chardonnay has about 10% Riesling for a little extra twist and is “naked” – aka unoaked.  It is quite crisp and fruit forward.  The Edelzwicker is the 50/50 Gewurztraminer and Riesling blend.  It is quite aromatic and is excellent when served chilled.  The blush wine, also 2011, is not overly sweet and is very refreshing in this Texas heat.  It is a Gewurztraminer with 2% Cabernet added.  The two reds available are 2010 vintages.  The Sangiovese has a surprisingly good depth and complexity for such a varietal.  It has about 25% Cabernet added to it.  The Cabernet Sauvignon is young and fresh, and should continue to age well for a couple more years.  Yes, it is good to drink now, but we think it will only improve if you let the wine gods enrich the flavor a little longer. Of course, we will feature these wines more in depth in a future blog posting.  Sometime in July, Mike plans on releasing wines sourced from Texas grapes (both 2011 vintages).  One will be a Viognier and the other will be a red blend of Tempranillo, Merlot, and Mourvedre.  Though the tasting room and event buildings are still under construction, don’t let that hinder you from admiring their majestic oak trees that form the backdrop to this exciting new venue.  It is quite spectacular!  How could one ever say no to this piece of wine country?  There are plans in the future to add a vineyard.  Mike is thinking about starting with Touriga and Aglianico.  Both grapes have shown great promise in quality and yield in the Texas Hill Country.  Who knows, maybe a port will be in the works, too!  There are some events happing at the winery starting in July (including a pig roast) with the official grand opening on July 27^th.  This winery is a great addition to Hye and the Texas Hill Country.  Do make this one of your stops on your next wine trek.  Cheers!

www.hyemeadow.com

Heart of Texas Blush – 2005; Tehuacana Creek Vineyards and Winery; Waco, Texas

This wine is light and crisp with just a tad bit of sweetness.  This one is slightly dry and unoaked, making for a wonderful bright finish. The wine has a nice fruitful bouquet that translates pleasantly to the palate. There is good character in this wine and is suitable to be enjoyed with a variety of foods but can likewise stand alone well, and we especially liked drinking this chilled. There is a lovely soft rosy-raspberry shade that makes this a delightful ease into summer wine that can nicely compliment a barbeque or picnic.  Though you may no longer be able to obtain this vintage, we still urge you to explore what this winery and winemaker have to offer, as the journey will be worth your while.

www.wacowinery.com

Petite Syrah Rose’ – 2005; Texas Legato Winery, Lampasas, Texas

This rose’ is a moderately dry one that Petite Syrah wine lovers should appreciate.   It has a wonderful aroma when first opened.  The tannins are stronger initially, but that quickly tapers off and doesn’t distract from the finish. The age of this wine gives a full opportunity to see how the taste changes from the first pour to the last.  As with any wine at this age, do let it aerate a while.  If you have a decanter, that would be great!  You should be able to enjoy this one through the evening before flavor profiles begin to deteriorate.  You’ll be glad that you kept this one in the cellar to enjoy.

www.texaslegato.com

Retreat Hill Winery and Vineyard – Navasota, Texas

Located not too far from Washington-on-the-Brazos, this winey has a variety of wine selections as well as good panoramic views of the surrounding country side.  Owner Billy Cox started off with equipment from the former Lehmberg Winery in Giddings, Texas and the rest has been history in the making ever since for this entrepreneur.  The winery first opened in August of 2009, with just a few types of some great wines.  I think we still have a bottle of Cabriolo in the cellar.  We were fortunate to have stopped by at the right time to try their first public releases during our pre-blogging wino days. Today, they have a wide selection of red and white wines ranging from dry to sweet varieties.  For $10, you can choose five of the wines available for tasting.  Grapes for their wines come from Texas, California, and Washington.  They do have their own vineyard which was planted in 2009, but the person who greeted us that day didn’t know when those vines would be wine harvest ready.  This winery is also located on the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail.  Not only is that a good trail for Texas wineries in the area, but you can also get the added benefit of checking out some of the beautiful countryside scenery and important historical areas in the state.  Take your time when you come visit here, things move slower and there is no need to rush on these back country roads. Life is a journey…enjoy the wine trail ride!J

www.retreathill.com

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2002; Brushy Creek Vineyards; Alvord, Texas

This sweet cabernet packs quite a strong punch to the nose at first.  It has ruby red color with cloudy opaque textures.  It’s not as sweet as you may think, perhaps due in part to the particular age of this bottle, yet it bursts forward with full, berry fruit flavors from the onset. There is a tannin presence to the initial taste however it does not linger very long. Notes of cherry linger on the tongue. After a few more sips, you will begin to notice that the vines for this wine may have initially been a bit young.  Aging as helped overcome its relative young introduction.  The alcohol content is at 15%, but not to the point that it would taste like a strong well fortified port style wine.  Do let it breathe naturally before sipping.  Using an aerator will just not suffice.  Try it chilled and compare notes from the first sipping session. We found the wine to be even better served chilled. You might be surprised what you’ll discover!

www.brushycreekvineyards.com

Junction Rivers Winery – Junction, Texas

A warm welcome to one of the newest Texas Hill Country wineries!  Located where it can sometimes be considered the “edge” of the Hill Country, this small family run winery has been in business just over a year (Nov 2011), but is quickly making a name for itself as a winery destination along I-10.  Founders, Jeanie Brosius and Joe King, have had their long vision of making wines come true. Don Pullum has helped out as their wine maker. Many of you may recognize him as the wine maker from Sandstone cellars.  The winery released their first vintages in 2010 and they also have 2011’s currently available.  The one white, 2010 Bland du Bois, is a semi-sweet wine suitable for an afternoon treat. The three 2010 reds, Malbec, Lenoir (aka Black Spanish), and Petite Sirah represent a diverse palate of bold reds.  They all demonstrate the desire for the winery to provide an interesting array of options for customers to enjoy. The current 2011s (all red) are Ruby Cabernet (medal winner), Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc (medal winner), and Sangiovese.  Most Texas wine drinkers know that the 2011s are a good year for quality grapes due to the drought, yet lean on the volume that could be harvested that year. The first two cabs are deep reds with strong finishes. The Cabernet Franc is well balanced with little tannins.  The Sangiovese has a deep purple color and is soft, yet full bodied. The tasting room is expertly arranged for you to come, sit a while, and enjoy the wines and hopefully try something from their Bistro as well, where things are made onsite for your dining pleasure. Come hungry and thirsty and you will be taken care of and treated well!  The inside décor of their tasting room has a Tuscan feel, and is quit spacious with high ceilings.  There is a window through which you can observe their wine making area.  We’re not sure if they are the first, but definitely the most notable when it comes to a sustainable winery.  The building is equipped with rain barrels, solar panels, insulated panels, and wind generators.   Perhaps a “green” wine should be made!  This might be a long travel for most, but it is well worth the visit. The hosts are most hospitable and very happy to chat and visit with you about their wines and offer suggestions on Bistro items that might pair nicely with your selections. Come on out, bring some friends, sit a while and enjoy!

www.junctionriverswinery.com

Ancellotta – 2007; Vinicola Don Guerino; Alto Feliz, Serra Gaucha, Brazil

Haven’t heard of Ancellotta wine before?  Then you will be pleasantly surprised.  This strong fruit forward aromatic red wine from Brazil pairs well with hearty meat dishes. It is well balanced with a medium finish.  There is some earthiness to the taste, yet the tannins aren’t overpowering. Little oak is noticeable in this well aged wine.  The grapes remind you of Cabernet Sauvignon, and impart a nice rich depth.  Hold up a glass to the light and you’ll notice its unique and intense red coloring.  Cabernet Sauvignon wine lovers would be pleased with this wine as with most hard-core red wine drinkers.  The beauty of this wine is that it hits the sweet spot for most red wine drinkers, as this is not too oaky or tannic, not acidic, not too dry and has a great depth to the fruit flavor.  It’s a real winner and we highly recommend you seek this one out to try and put in your cellar. Why have another Cabernet Sauvignon, if you can try something new?

www.donguerino.com.br

Sandstone Cellars Winery – Mason, Texas

Founded 2004, proprietors Scott Haupert and Manny Silerio have established a great wine jewel in this small hill country town.  They source grapes only from the vineyards of Mason County, so you’re getting some local wine, in the truest sense of the “buy local” movement.  The ~1600 feet elevation out there makes for a great cool night environment for the vines.  Don Pullum is the wine magician that turns these grapes into great tasting Texas wines.  There are no whites in the tasting selection, but seriously….we drove all the way out here for their famous reds!  Where to start and where to end is hard, because they are all so good. You should definitely try the Touriga blend – bold, full bodied and dry, but not overwhelming on the tannins.  The Zinfandel blend is a lighter red with a nice garnet color. The Syrah blend is simply wonderful and will surely make all Syrah wine lovers smile with joy!  One of the more unique and odd wines is their Cider Dessert wine or “apple-cider-port” wine, as they refer to it. This unique addition to the lineup was due in part to the severe Texas drought of 2011. With fewer local grapes available that year, the idea came to try something completely new, using a different Texas fruit.  Sourced from apples in the Texas Panhandle, it is quite smooth and sweet, and would compliment your apple pie dessert or make a lovely cooking wine. The two port style wines available, Touriga and Touriga/Mourvedre blends are lovely sweet red dessert wines.  They impart flavors from their dry wine cousins plus the “punch” you get with a well fortified port.  The winery also offers many other Texas wines for sale. The proprietors choose to focus on Texas art in the form of wine and paintings, pottery, sculpture and jewelry by featured artist Bill Worrell, making this an interesting gem in Mason worth checking out.  Mr. Worrell’s work is featured on many of their wine labels, too. Next door is a wine bar that was opened for visitors who wish to rest a while and stick around to enjoy the wine and atmosphere while visiting. The wine bar is located in the second oldest building of Mason.  On the other side of the winery, is the town’s famous Santos Taqueria restaurant, founded prior to the winery. Do try!  Scott also chatted with us about more wineries opening up in the Mason area. These additional wineries will surely draw an ever increasing mass of oenophiles to the area. We look forward to more great wine visits to Mason in the future and additional updates on how the region progresses and grows. Did we mention that we have a 2005 Sandstone Cellars red in our wine library?  We got that one from our “early” wine traveling days.  We’ll save that one for a special edition posting

www.sandstonecellarswinery.com

Rosso Spumante – Ballatore Cellars; Modesto, California

This red Italian style sparkling wine is a pretty good sparkler with a nice sweet taste.  It has a very distinct ruby color and aromas of blackberries and cherries.  It is quite refreshing and crisp with a good amount of sweetness. Overall, it is well balanced and comes across with a clean finish.  The wine is well worth while beyond the inexpensive price point. Impress your friends who are new to sparkling wines.  It’s a good start when trying out the sparkling wine category.  Cheers!

www.ballatore.com

Windy Hill Winery – Brenham, Texas

Located down the road from Washington-on-the-Brazos is a small boutique winery worthy of a stop on your next Brenham trip.  Owners August and Linda Meitzen planted their first vines back in 2000.  Brother Dave has his hands in things, as well.  The winery opened in 2005 and has been serving Texas grape varietals ever since.  The tasting room is quite spacious, with ample indoor seating with tables and chairs. There is also a nice deck out back where you can enjoy live music as you relax sipping a glass of your favorite Windy Hill wine.  The hosts are hospitable and make you feel very welcome.  We visited this place back in 2007 during the unofficial blogging days. It was nice to return after 6 years and see all the changes that have occurred. The red and white wines made here, such as the Chardonnay, Cabernet, Syrah, and Tempranillos, had their grapes sourced near Lodi, California.  The “good stuff” is grown locally. Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish varietals are grown on the estate. The Yellow Rose is a semi sweet Blanc du Bois that is quite wonderful and robust.  It is not syrupy sweet or tart. The bouquet has subtle notes of citrus and nectarine. For a good sweet red Muscadine try Dave’s Sweet Red wine.  We were pleasantly surprised by the great tasting Blanc du Bois sparkling wine. That wine would make a great Texas style “champagne” toast.  There is also a Muscadine sparkling wine call Bubbly Daves that’s likewise fun to sip. We look forward to the near future release of the Lady Lavender wine – a white wine infused with lavender.  For the sweet wine lovers of native grapes, this place is for you!  Get out and enjoy the bluebonnets and lovely wildflowers painting the spring landscape a multicolored rainbow and make your way over to the winery.  Enjoy the fruits of the vine as you relax and remember how nice it feels to enjoy the warmer temperatures again. Cheers!

www.windywinery.com