Well,
you are in for a unique treat with this latest HWY 290 winery in the Texas Hill
Country! Opened two years ago by owner Clayton Itz, this family run winery has
been bringing some quality crafted wines from South America and South Africa to
Central Texas. The fabulous high ceiling architecture in the tasting room and
impressive quality woodwork is all thanks to Clayton and his personal handy
work. The Itz family uses their personal relationship with key vineyards and
winemakers from south of the equator to bring their own great tasting creations
for you to enjoy. Wines are sourced primarily from the Western Cape area of
South Africa, Mendoza region of Argentina, and the Lontue and Curico Valleys of
Chile. Pretty cool wine areas,
right? Just wait until you dive into the
many selections of wines available for tasting. Starting off with the Chilean
2020 Sauvignon Blanc, your senses will be enveloped with great citrus aromas
and light pineapple flavors. The next white we tried was the 2020 Tres Cielos.
This white blend of 59% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Sauvignon Gris and 6% Sauvignon
Ver will more than likely set off your spicy senses with the well-balanced
nature of these three whites (this one has a bit of Jalapeno on the nose and
palate, too). Next up, was the 2020 Chardonnay which was filled with papaya
notes, some slight buttery sensation, and finished off refreshing and clean.
Like Torrontes? This Argentinian white
from the Mendoza region will please you in countless ways. Full of wonderful
floral notes and hints of citrus and pears, what’s not to like about this
wine? For the reds, we enjoyed the 2019
Carménère. This “lost grape” will fill your palate with rich plums, a touch of
pepper, and a clean silky finish. Get
ready for a big tasting Cabernet Sauvignon with their 2019 release. With rich
red fruit and a heady aroma, this wine is nice with a smooth texture. For South African wines, we tried the 2017
Pinotage. Garnet in color, the rich black fruit with a smoky texture demands
that mouthwatering BBQ you’ve been craving for. For the Chilean Malbec, this
2019 vintage had rich raspberries that lingered along with a savory tobacco
finish. Watching the pouring of the ruby red 2018 Cabernet Franc was a vision
of delight. Those herbaceous notes teased the nose along with a big firm tannin
grip, making this wine not for the lighthearted, but for serious dry red wine
drinkers. On the sweeter side, check out the 2019 Moscato. The honeysuckle and floral
notes with a hint of citrus helps bring that refreshed feeling on warm summer afternoons.
But wait! Try the 2020 Andean White.
This proprietary blend explodes with very rich honeysuckle and grapefruit to
round out that tropical sensation. There are more delicious wines to try, so do
come check them out and see for yourself. In addition to the inside tasting
room, there is a large gorgeous back area that is filled with shady sitting
places and juvenile tress plus great views to help put you in that relaxed wine
sipping state of mind. This is a great opportunity to try wines with different
terroir and varietals not grown in Texas. This should be a safari trip you plan
on your next Texas Hill Country adventure.
Salud!
