Cicada Cellars – Stonewall, Texas

Before and after the 55mph speed limit sign in Stonewall, you can find wineries galore popping up east and west. Now, “downtown” Stonewall has its own winery that should be on your list of places to visit.  Having worked in the real estate business for many years, owner Jeff Williams has made many great contacts during his career including a few wineries.  Those contacts have paid off and now Jeff and his wife Barbra have set their own course in the Texas Hill Country winery universe.  They picked the name Cicada from its historical reference to good luck. They’ve put that good luck to use by renovating the former Stonewall volunteer fire department building into their wine tasting and storage facility. It’s quite spacious with just over 4600 square feet to “play”.  The interior is quite bright and is decorated with some interesting modern art on the walls.  Grapes are sourced from Texas and California with a focus on small batch production.  Bending Branch Winery and Kuhlman Cellars have been helping Jeff with his initial wine production. The tasting room has only been opened to the public for about eight months.  There are several wines for tasting of which you can pick five.  We started off with the 2017 Rosé.  Sourced from the Texas High Plains, this blend of Mourvèdre, Tannat, Montepulciano and Sagrantino is dry and smooth with a pleasant lingering fruit finish. We then moved on to the 2017 Texas High Plains Tempranillo.  It is fruit forward with bright acids, cherry flavors, and some slight peppery notes.  Like Tannat?  Their 2017 vintage has a very dark rich color, strong tannins and super long-lasting finish.  The 2017 High Plains Malbec/Merlot blend has great balance and ripe blackberry flavors. Lastly, we sampled the 2015 Ruby-Eye Red. Aged in whisky barrels from Garrison Brothers, this California sourced blend of Sagrantino, Tinta Cão, and Petite Sirah packs quite of punch of intensely diversified flavors and aromas. Future releases in the works include another Tannat, a Cabernet/Tannat blend, and Sagratino blend. The causal and comfortable atmosphere compliments the great hospitality you’ll enjoy here.  Yes, there is now a good reason to slow down in Stonewall, besides the speed limit. Next time you are passing through, stop in and give Cicada a try. Enjoy!

www.cicadacellars.com