Located just east
of Bandera, this family run winery has a fun, relaxed wine bar atmosphere to allow
you to sit and sip for a while in a cool welcoming space. Turns out, the owners
of Lost Maples Winery near Vanderpool are cousins of the owners Terry, Alice,
Rhett and Kymberli Word of Hill Country Cellars. Both wineries collaborate on sourced grapes
and winemaking. Hill Country Wine Cellars opened two years ago. The inside
decor is phenomenal with much detail in the reclaimed wood and use of wine
barrels. There were seven wines
available during our visit. One Rosé, two whites, and three
reds. The Rosé was made from Shiraz grapes and was smooth with
strawberry and raspberry notes. Their Chardonnay was fermented in stainless
steel and featured more citrus notes. The Symphony is a rare white not often used. The 2016 vintage was quite floral with pear
notes and honeysuckle and a slight tartness. For the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, we
noted blackberry fruit on the nose and a hint of pepper. It was clearer than most Cabs, but that didn’t
detract from the experience. The 2016 Malbec is still young and was a bit hot initially
but did have a smooth taste. Their 2015 Black Spanish wine was also well made
fermented in French oak with a 15% alcohol content. It was a bit hot and should be able to mellow
with a little more aging. The Black
Spanish had a bold texture and a pleasant dry finish without the astringency of
most Back Spanish wines. Terry was a great host and we were impressed with his
presentation and knowledge of the wines. The winery also offers tapas to pair
with your favorite selection. So, come
on out, sit back, relax, and enjoy what life has to offer here!
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