Clocking
in at 15.4 abv, this big bold beauty pours a deep ruby red color with rich
raspberries and blackberries to entice the nose. This complex wine dazzles the mouth
with cocoa and a touch of baking spice.
There are also hints of leather and a bit of an earthy undertone to
compliment that lovely finish. Very nice
Tannat. Enjoy!
Sourced
from Narra Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this big bold beauty pours a
dark garnet color, and fills the air with luscious aromas of blueberry and fig.
Follow that with notes of rich blackberries and raspberries and this
masterpiece really comes alive. You may pick up on some white pepper, as well,
in addition to good acids along with a touch of coffee. With a nice long finish
that is to die for, what is not to like about this beauty? Pair this one with a
nice meaty dish and wine and dine like there’s no tomorrow. Cheers!
This
beautiful estate wine initial pour is fruit forward with red fruit aromas. Black cherries and currant are some additional
notes followed by blueberries and blackberries for this lovely red wine. You
might pick up hints of vanilla, as well. It is smooth and elegant on the
palate with medium tannins and a touch of spice on the finish. This easy
drinking Cab is a treat to enjoy both with and without a food pairing. Cheers!
Behold,
this unique style of Rosé is crafted using Nebbiolo grapes. This is a crowd pleaser
for sure. Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, this Rosé pours a deep salmon
pink shade with scents of rose petals and herbs. Take a few sips and let your
palate relish the crisp acidity along with notes of raspberry and watermelon. You might want to take another sip and let
that full mouthfeel experience dance across your palate spreading joy to your
tastebuds. This a is a great one to just
savor all day and easy to pair with food as well. Cheers!
This
seven-year-old Trebbiano blend still teases some great fruit and zesty citrus
aromas. At this age, you will notice the deep golden straw color of this wine
sourced from Texas High Plains fruit. As a blend of 78% Trebbiano, 13%
Roussanne, 7% Viognier, and 2% Albariño, hints of apples shine through
accompanied by some honeysuckle, peach, and pineapple notes. It packs some
great acids for a tantalizing palate sensation and there is the slightest
effervescence. This pairs nicely with you best fatty fish. It could probably
age a couple more years in a good quality cellar, so it would be interesting to
see further changes with age. Cheers!
Relish
this red wine gem for all it is worth! This estate Texas Hill Country AVA wine
has an enticing Purplish-red rim hue accompanied by aromas of cherries, plums
and some pepper to greet you on the initial pour. Wait for that first sip, and
you just might discern a lovely hint of currant too. Sip and savor those flavors of raspberry and
spice coupled with some chalkiness. It should not be a surprise that this wine
was a Best of Class in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition in 2016.
This full-bodied treat is aging quite nicely and still has time to continue to
evolve further. A lovely bottle to enjoy now if you have any in your cellar.
Cheers!
You
will be thrilled with this lovely Blanc de Blancs. Aged 42 months in tirage,
this enticing Chardonnay bubbly pours a pale straw color with medium to fine
bubbles coupled with aromas of toasty almonds.
Apples and pears will complement the tasting profile. Take a few sips
and savor that lemon zest along with the medium acidity. It will put that soul
satisfying expression on your face. The
excellent long finish is just icing on the cake for this bottle. This is a great sparkling jewel from New
Mexico worth enjoying and sharing. Cheers and savor well!
There
is something extra special about this single vineyard sourced fruit from La
Pradera Vineyards. Could it be that it was made from free run juice? Could it
be that it was aged for 22 months? Or
could it be that certain things aligned in 2019 to help make this magic happen? Maybe all of that and more, but this inky red
wine packs some elevated acidity with notes of blueberry throughout. Add to that a bit of herbaceous notes for
this dry red beast, and you have an excellent wine to pair with cheese,
charcuterie, and hearty meat dishes. It is a cellar worthy bottle for the long
run, so stock up and enjoy for the next decade or perhaps more. Santé!
This
Star Trek themed white wine has one cool looking bottle design and is also a
pretty decent sipper, too. Based on the
Star Trek Picard series, the bottle design replicates what fans saw on the
series. Being based on the planet Rise, it is also a nod to the Next Generation
series when Picard first visited the paradise planet. Sourced from California
for this themed wine series, it is predominantly Sauvignon Blanc with lovely
notes of grapefruit and peaches being the first to greet you. Swirl and sip and
savor that zesty lemon as well. The acids are good, and this bottle has that
“ahh” crisp finish enticing you to come back for more. Pretty nice wine from
the future to enjoy. Cheers!
Get
ready for a fine Texas 2017 vintage of Tempranillo! This 14.4 abv wine pours a garnet color with
big aromas of raspberry and cherry.
Swirl, breathe and take a sip and let your palate relish notes of
blackberry with a touch of tobacco.
Let’s clock the acidity on this wild beast at about medium along with a
moderate dry finish. After that first
taste, you might also pick up some chalk and a bit of cedar. It’s a really
great Tempranillo that exemplifies one of the state’s well-known wines. Enjoy!
Check this out this discovery! Sourced from locally grown apples, this beauty has a natural light sweetness to it. This is not only a seasonal delight this time of year, but also a lovely option any time you are looking for a moderately sweet wine to sip or pair with food. You will be very pleased with the fruit forward apple freshness and crisp texture of this fruit wine. The sipping experience from A to Z is quite pleasing. It drinks quite well on its own as an after-dinner treat too. Nicely done. Cheers!
lachiripada.com
Sourced
from the Texas High Plains AVA, this blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon,
Sangiovese 26%, and Tannat 3% has great cherry aromas followed by notes of
plums. It pours a deep ruby red color
for visual enticement and as your glass fills up along with added notes of
strawberry to join the fruit medley. Most of the palate sensation is up front
for this red wine with tantalizing acids and medium tannins. It is a solid go-to wine for almost any
occasion. Cheers!
This
signature estate wine from El Alamo is one bold red wine to try that has good
tannins, acids, and dark fruit to savor. It was aged in bourbon barrels that imparted
an added depth to the overall flavor profile and richness. Upon opening the wine, a bouquet of fresh
flowers is evoked. This is followed by notes of plums with a touch of smoke as
a bonus. Some butterscotch and a touch
of vanilla rounded out that first sipping session. As one continues to savor this lovely bottle,
it is reminiscent of a good Pinot Noir, so well worth your attention. A lovely discovery
worth returning for more in the future. Enjoy!
Sourced
from One Way Vineyards of the Texas High plains AVA, this Acacia barrel aged
Roussanne has a lovely golden color and greets your nose with bright zesty
citrus aromas. On the palate will be primarily apricot and peaches. This 14%
abv white wine jewel is clocking in with medium acidity along with a touch of
minerality. It’s an “A to Z” wine pleaser and should pair nicely with many
dishes. Enjoy every drop of this beautiful white wine!
Late
frost is what you do not want in a vintage year, but this Texas Mourvèdre wine
is a testament to great wine making and being a survivor. A decade later, this
red wine jewel expresses some lovely strawberry and cranberry notes. It still
packs a decent degree of acids with moderate tannins for this beauty.
Additional tasting notes include a bit of black pepper at the finish for this
medium bodied 2013 vintage. It is at its peak now, so enjoy it with a well-prepared
feast if you have any remaining bottles in your cellar. Cheers!
This
full-bodied red wine is not only cellar worthy, but a great hearty meal pairing
wine as well. Sourced from the Texas
High Plains AVA, the dark color and cherry aromas will help set the mood for an
amazing tasting experience. Add to that some plums and touch of earthiness
along with firm tannins, and you will be hooked on this Italian varietal. This
jewel is worth trying again over the years and experiencing how it evolves over
time. A true delight to enjoy. Salute!
This
rich estate sourced fruit is a Bordeaux-style blend that is worth savoring. It
is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Cabernet Franc, and 12% Merlot with
immediate notes of plum and cherry followed by some smokiness. Swirl, gaze, and
sip and you might pick up some chocolate along with a touch of vanilla. This
medium bodied East Texas wine has smooth tannins and decent acids. The silky finish will have you sold on this
Texas 2017 vintage. Cheers!
There
is everything to like about this brut Chenin Blanc from Loire Valley. From the
pale-yellow color to the fine bubbles, and even the bright notes of pears and
peaches, it shifts you into a pleasant mood.
The citrus scent will help round out the initial aromatic sensations and
after those first few sips, you will be tantalized with almond notes and medium
acidity. This is a great bubbly to enjoy. Santé!
This
Texas GSM style blend packs a bit more Mourvèdre but comes out well balanced
and delicious on all wine sensory fronts. The initial notes of strawberry and
raspberry greet you with this red wine blend of Mourvèdre 49%, Grenache 24%,
Syrah 17%, and Tannat 10%. You will notice the hue is predominantly purple with
some nice legs for this 14.2% abv wine. Plums and blackberries will follow, and
a bit of leather will round out the tasting profile. This is a higher acid GSM, so this wine pairs
nicely with good food. Overall, it has
great balance and soft tannins for this full-bodied wine. Enjoy!
Sourced
from Newsom Vineyards of the Texas High plains AVA, this lovely Petite Sirah is
one fulfilling red wine jewel. Notes of blueberry and cherry will tantalize all
aspects of your wine senses. It also has a medium finish with earthy undertones
coming in at the right time. There is
just a touch of nutmeg that you might pick up as well to round things out. This one is a pleasure for sure. Cheers!
Sourced
from the Lodi AVA, this bold Cabernet pours a rich garnet color with some
decent dark fruit notes. Letting this
14% abv red wine sit for about 45 minutes seems to do the trick for optimal
tasting. It has a stronger oak profile on the palate and some firm
tannins. Plums and raspberries will greet
your senses as you sip and savor this bold beauty. It is dry and a bit high on the acid side. Pair
this bad beast with charcuterie trays as it pairs nicely with meat and cheese. Cheers!
This
beautiful wine of Sangiovese Grosso is a special treat worth savoring. Sourced
from two different Washington vineyards, this Sangiovese was aged 3 years in
barrel and 2 years in bottle. Notes of red cherries and some herbs
will be your initial wine tasting notes followed by blackberries and plums.
After a few sips, you might also notice a touch of vanilla and a bit of
leather. Call it a Brunello style wine if you’d like. This red wine is for sure
a beauty to enjoy. Salute!
Prepare
yourself for some outstanding Tempranillo. Sourced from Parr Vineyards, this
Mason County sourced fruit is full of blackberry and plum notes with a bit of
leather. Your palate will relish the rich flavors of this red wine beast as you
savor the added notes of raspberry with a touch of smoke. This red wine jewel
rounds out with some good tannins and moderate acids. There are endless pairing possibilities with
this gorgeous glass of wine, but honestly, it is such a beauty to behold and
enjoy on its own as well. Either way, you cannot go wrong, so enjoy to the
fullest. Cheers!
Behold,
Baja wine! Sourced from the Valle de Guadalupe region, this Bordeaux like blend
hits a lot of high marks on the wine palate. Blended with 81% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 8% Nebbiolo, this red wine pours a very deep garnet
hue and will almost immediately envelop your nose with lots of red fruit. Take
a few sips, and you will pick up lots of cherries, dark chocolate, and a lovely
silky finish. The red blend from Mexico has great complexity and seems to
balance out quite well. Leave it open
and try a couple of hours later, and the evolved notes will just excite you
even more. A lovely find. Enjoy!
Yes,
white Bordeaux style blends can be made from Texas fruit. The magic of Calais Winery has produced this
beautiful white wine using fruit sourced from Dell Valley Vineyards in West
Texas. Just a quick “day drive” for long
time Texans but having the Guadalupe Mountains nearby as your vineyard backdrop
sure is not a shabby deal either. This blend of 55% Sauvignon Blanc and 45%
Semillon has a light golden color when poured followed by some lemon and apple
notes to greet your nose. Take a few sips, and thoroughly enjoy the flavors of
apricot and that wonderful fresh acidity.
This white wine is a fabulous one to drink and you’ll thoroughly enjoy
it. Santé!
Trek
fans may recognize the design and labeling of this bottle from the Star Trek
Enterprise episode, Two Days and Two Nights. This episode took place on the
pleasure planet of Risa and this Rosé wine is a good nod to the actual bottle
shown in that episode. The makers did a great job recreating this design and an
equally good job at crafting a nice approachable Rosé. In the real world, this
wine comes from California. This blend has a nice fruit forward nose, good
acids, tantalizing feeling as you sip and enjoy the ripe berry notes, and a
clean refreshing finish. Even without
the theme-based bottle and name, you still have a great Rosé to please any
palate and enjoy alone or with food. Moreover, who doesn’t enjoy a cool bottle
to add to your collection once you savor every drop? Enjoy this one!
Estate
sourced fruit from Perissos has always been a consistent high-quality wine to
try. Located in the Texas Hill Country AVA, this Petite Sirah wine does not disappoint.
At eight years old, it pours a lovely deep dark ruby color with no signs of
fading. You will get some spice on the nose along with some rich fruit flavors
of blackberries and cherries. Take a few
sips and savor this full-bodied red wine as you pick up on some tobacco and
plums. The tannins are moderate for this jewel and the acids are just right.
This wine will certainly be one of the best Petite Sirah wines from the state,
so enjoy every sip. You can probably keep holding as it seems to be aging quite
nicely. Cheers!
Behold,
for some very fine New Mexico sparkling wine is served! Aged one year in oak
and three en tirage, this 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir blend will
tantalize all the senses from sight, to aroma, to taste, to finish and
beyond. Obviously, the initial bottle opening
cork popping sound is cool, too. Some
refreshing notes of strawberry and raspberry will greet your nose during that
first pour. Take those first few sips and savor that black cherry along with a light
creaminess and the sensation of soft little bubbles on your palate. There is just a touch of truffle in there as
you relish that long lasting and satisfying finish. Enjoy this one well as it is worth savoring
every sip. Santé!
There’s
something about Mason County fruit that really stands out well. Sourced from
Tallant Vineyards, this four-year-old red wine jewel is rich in cranberry notes
and still fruit forward. You will discern some cherries as well along with a
touch of cinnamon. It has moderate tannins with medium acidity along with a
smooth finish. This Mason Tempranillo was under the Texas Hill Country AVA when
released but this region is now eagerly looking forward to future Hickory Sands
AVA designation coming to Mason and the surrounding nearby vineyards in the
future. Cheers!
Having
been opened since 2022, this new winery on HWY 290 is a must add to your
regular Hill Country wine trekking trips. Founded by
the Bernard and Perrenoud families, this new adventure for the 12-acre
estate has really gotten off to a great start. Chris Perrenoud has a long-time
history in the Fredericksburg area and helped get her husband Brett hooked on
the Texas wine bug. Both Chris and Brett worked at Becker Vineyards for a long
time, so they have certainly seen many changes to the ever-expanding Texas wine
industry. John and Susie Bernard have had a long time community involvement in
the area. Having established their own careers, this next adventure into the
Texas wine world is the next chapter of their careers. The name of the winery
comes from the blending of John Bernard’s side of the family and Chris Perrenoud’s
maiden name. There is a great story regarding why the name begins with “A”, but
you should pay a visit to find out more. The lovely name isn’t difficult to
pronounce once you hear it. The symbol comes from some Axis deer antlers that Bret’s dad found on the
property. The antlers were both found on different parts of the property and just
happened to match up. They represent the two families working together as well
as how grape vines are pruned back for future growth. Once an old farm ranch house,
the owners have added on to the 20th century home turning it into a
fantastic tasting room with scenic views of large oak trees in the backyard
area and great artwork on the walls. You can see the original rock wall from
the back porch as you admire the lovely scenery. John Bernard’s acoustic guitar
collection has also found a special place in the tasting room to help elevate
the décor. There is ample indoor and outdoor seating and an exquisite upstairs private
tasting room overlooking the main downstairs tasting room with an even better
view of the outdoor area too.
Michael
Barton, from Hilmy Cellars, is helping the owners with the winemaking. There are plans to add a production facility
on site as well as estate vines. They currently have several great wines to
select from that you can’t go wrong with. Most grapes are sourced from the
Texas High Plains. You’ll also notice some wines from the Columbia Valley area
which will give you a great comparison with the Texas wine equivalent. You will notice a three-word descriptor for
each wine. This is Bret’s take on how
best to describe how enjoyable each wine is to drink. A little bit of
everything and then some was tried on this visit. First to start off with was
the NV Dry Bienvenue. Sourced from Wilmeth Vineyards of the Texas High Plains
AVA, this fizzy jewel is a blend of 55% Roussanne, 25% Riesling, and 20%
Viognier. Along with the lively bubbles, are some great minerality and buttery
notes. The next white was a 2019 Viognier from Lahey Vineyards. This big Texas
white wine has great acids and tropical notes to add to that lush feeling. For
the Rosé wine, they have the 2021 Redlin sourced from Farmhouse Vineyards. This
blend of 40% Cinsault, 20% Montepulciano, 20% Sangiovese, 15% Mourvèdre, and 5%
Grenache is not only full of cherry notes, but light, smooth, fruit forward and
quite refreshing. The first red on the menu is their 2018 Malbec. This Newsom
Vineyard sourced fruit is quite smooth with berry notes, well balanced, and has
good acids. This was followed by the
2021 Nichol which is a 50/50 blend of Petite Sirah and Petite Verdot. It is one
of the darker reds you’ll try and has jammy notes, lots of depth, and is very
smooth. Did someone say Cabernet Sauvignon? Well, their Columbia Valley sourced
Cab is delicious. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is big on black cherry, smooth,
and savory. However, brace yourself for the 2021 vintage! We got a “sneak peek”
of this bad beast Cab, and it just hits all those high marks of bold, lush,
long finish, and elegant. It’s a long-term cellaring wine for sure. For a take
on left/right bank style blend, try the Cuerno. Also sourced from Columbia
Valley, it’s a blend of 40% Merlot, 20% Malbec, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Call this jewel well balanced with a nice fruit forward sensation. And not to
be left out, is the 2020 Cabernet Franc from Calistoga. This big and heavy red
wine just explodes with a tantalizing mouthfeel, along with that classic pucker
up tannin sensation. Lastly, was the 2021 Muscat. Sourced from Farmhouse
Vineyards, it does have a beautiful aromatic nose with notes of grapefruit and
other delightful tropical sensations.
To
say the owners are enthusiastic about their place is an understatement. Take the opportunity to chat with them during
your tasting and you’ll get the A-to-Z about their passion for this place. There is a lot of great history packed into
their story, and the views are only complimented by the many species of birds
you’ll find on the estate. You’ll love their wines and fall in love with the
tasting room. So, plan a long visit here and take your time while you taste the
wine. Cheers!
Ever
try wine from New Mexico? Well, you should not be afraid to give it a try. About
half the Riesling fruit for this wine was sourced from their 1725 estate vineyard
for this lovely Riesling. The rest of the fruit was sourced from other New
Mexico vineyards and then blended with a “splash” of Malvasia and Abbott White.
This lovely white wine pours a pale-yellow color and almost immediately
envelopes the nose with floral notes. Those are accompanied by notes of apples
and pears predominantly, along with a bit of melon and some bright apricot. It has a solid acidity along with a hint of a
peppery finish. This is a solid go-to Riesling to enjoy. Cheers to Riesling
from New Mexico!
Wow.
You are in for one exceptional treat with this Grenache! Sourced from One Elm
Vineyard of the Texas High Plains AVA, this red jewel packs a ton of berry
notes in that initial fruit forward sip. Yes, it has some translucence to it
and yes, it is a red wine. Take a few sips and relish those cherry flavors and
that super smooth mellow body for the ultimate cool factor associated with this
outstanding wine. Stop for a moment, and you might pick up a hint of orange
peel along with some cinnamon. This is the bottle that sealed the deal for a
number of early customers in the beginning. It helped to make huge fans of all things
Adega Vinho. There is likely everything you every wanted in this Grenache so
savor every sip and remind yourself, yes, this is a wine from Texas and my oh
my, the living is good! Cheers!
Grapes
grown from this soon to be Hickory Sands AVA in the Texas Hill Country do not
disappoint. This Rosé, made from estate Mourvèdre fruit, is a relief to have
for those long, extended Texas summer days. Strawberry and apples dominate the
notes for this 2021 vintage along with some good floral aromas. It balances out
with medium acidity and an excellent mouthwatering finish. This Rosé
exemplifies some of the great Mason County fruit. It’s a true delight to sip on its own or
paired with simple summer meals. Cheers!
Behold,
this lovely red wine is made from amazing Texas High Plains sourced fruit! It
is a fruit forward wine chock full of dark fruit notes with softer tannins. Add
blackberry, plum, and some cranberry to your tasting notes for this one along
with a hint of vanilla. There is also a slight peppery finish which rounds out
the satisfying notes for this beauty. A lovely sipper. Santé!
This
blend of Tempranillo 41%, Mourvèdre 19%, Ruby Cabernet 8%, and Barbera 5% is
not only well balanced, but has been maturing gracefully over the last 13
years. Not as much of the initial fruit sensation from the early days, but the
flavor profile is still intact. There is little color change, though you can
tell this is an older wine and happy the cork was well intact. Earthy
undertones are more prominent in this Texas red wine blend and the tannins are
sitting at about medium. It does have a very nice smooth finish to complement
your evening meal. Keep holding it if you’d like, but it is probably at its
peak now, so enjoy this one well!
Pop
open this bold red beast and enjoy a soothing sipping session. This blend of 45%
Montepulciano, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Mourvèdre is well balanced for a
bold blend such as this. Cherries and blackberries will grab your attention on
the palate. This red blend has medium
acidity, and the tannins are a notch above moderate. Let this wine breathe a
bit before you enjoy it. This will initially be tight, but after sitting a bit,
you will notice this beauty continues to evolve over the course of your
evening. Cheers!
Behold,
this big and bold Rive Droite is clocking in at 15.4 abv! Fruit was sourced
from the Texas High Plains AVA for this Texas take on a Bordeaux style blend of
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This one has extra-long legs
and pours an enticing ruby red color with a tint of purple. Notes of dark cherry fruit will reach out and
tantalize your wine senses. Take a few
sips and repeat for that added sensation of black pepper and a touch of herbs
with coffee. There is some oak in there
as well plus a pinch of nutmeg for good measure. This full-bodied beast has
medium acidity and tannins and is also drinking well now. Go all out on a good
pairing with this luscious red wine and hold nothing back. You’ll love it! Santé!
Behold,
16% ABV white wine! Sourced from the
Texas High Plains AVA, this high alcohol Viognier is well integrated and packs
rich flavors and aromas without any hot sensation. This wine pours a light lemon color with
aromas of citrus, peach, and some nectarine to help excite your senses. Your
palate will be pleased with luscious rich flavors from every sip along with a
zesty, lingering finish. Let’s call this one a bold white wine, so pair well
with food. Cheers!
This
estate wine is quite a nice find and of great quality. Though it’s labeled
sweet, it comes across more of a lighter sweet, but not quite semi. It pours a lovely light golden hue and has a heavenly
bouquet of citrus and apples. Take a few sips and enjoy those notes of apricot
and honeysuckle that delight the palate.
The acids are good in this white wine jewel with a great satisfying
finish. From aromas to flavors, all are excellent
and create a good way to experience that A to Z Riesling sensation. Cheers!
A field blend from some of the old estate vines, this
76-month barrel aged beast is one to be savored well. Equal parts of Merlot,
Touriga Nacional, and Ruby Cabernet comprise this majestic red wine. Let this
wine breathe for about an hour before sipping. You will notice even two hours
later that the tasting notes are continuing to evolve and develop for your
tasting pleasure. The pour is mostly ruby colored with notes of rich
blueberries filling the surrounding air. Red berries and a touch of violet are
mixed in there, as well. Call this one
medium bodied with good acidity that persists and polished tannins with a touch
of earthy undertones. It is still age
worthy and will pair nicely with your next festive meal. Cheers!
With
deep family roots and history in the Hill Country region, this 7th
generation Texas family has contributed much to the local area. The current
estate is a 555-acre working farm for the past five generations with everything
from corn, wheat, cattle, turkeys and now a winery to boot. Their next adventure
in Texas farming is growing wine grapes and making wine. However, the family is
no stranger to that. The family’s grandmother, Dora, had been making wine from
area grapes and peaches in the farmhouse basement since the 1970s. The name of
the winery pays homage to prior generations by combining two female surnames
names, Meier and Stone, as a nod to their rich heritage.
Family
member, Krystal Patel, is the winemaker and can be found overseeing everyone’s
tasting experiences in the tasting room with her team. She has no problem going
into great depth about her family’s history in the area as well as all what has
been done with the farm over the years. Her passion and enthusiasm for Texas
wine is equally inspiring. Driving onto the farm off HWY 290, you cannot help
but notice the large steel wrecking ball that has sits beside the highway. This
was once used to clear fields for farming back in the days. Opened since the
Fall of 2022, the current tasting room is a large open air metal barn style building
with nearby old oak trees and views of the fields of corn on the property. There
is also an additional outside seating area with tables along with a cozy swing
to take your visit to the next level of comfort and relaxation. The property
has the family blacksmith building near the main tasting room that can be
visited while there or also booked for private group tastings or events. Inside
the tasting room are lots of information on the Family’s origins, local
history, and the evolution and changes to the estate farm over the years. The
staff are extremely friendly, helpful and do a great job checking in with you
during your tasting and visit to ensure that your needs are met. They are also
your wine ambassadors eager to guide you through each of their wines. There are
plans to build a permanent tasting room on the east side of the estate overlooking
the Hill Country scenery with an additional access road from the highway.
Grapes
are currently sourced from the Texas High Plains and the wine is made in the
Hill Country. Although grapes are
currently sourced elsewhere, there are plans to establish a future estate vineyard.
Their first harvest was in 2018 and they have not looked back since. The focus
is on small batch production, and you will see it in the quality of the wines
you sample. For tastings, there are currently four wines to try plus one
“extra”. The first white wine on the
menu is the 2021 Trebbiano. Sourced from Paka Vineyards, it has a floral nose
and a lovely light citrus and apricot flavor with good acids. The second white
is the 2021 Roussanne. This wine is aged in French oak and will fill your palate
with lemon grass and pears and has good body to it. Both whites are dry and
refreshing on a warm summer day. Following the whites, is a lovely 2021 dry Rosé.
Made from Sangiovese grapes, this wine sat on the skins for 24 hours and is
rich in strawberry and cherry with a touch of spice. It is Equally refreshing
when served chilled. Moving on to the dry red wines, you will notice that the Malbec
has a black label, indicating it is a reserve wine, which was aged longer. The
2018 Malbec Reserve was one of their first wines made. Sourced from Newsom
Vineyards, this red wine has been aged for 46 months in neutral oak. It is
fruit forward with notes of blackberry, has good acids and a nice smooth
finish. The “extra” surprise red blend called Cabernello was a lovely treat to
sample. This 2021 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo.
This limited production release (just 51 cases) is fruit forward with notes of
herbs, rich red berries, and a touch of leather. The logo etched glasses are a
nice touch as you enjoy your wine, and they also have a VoChill to help keep
your wine cool for those warm tasting days.
All the wines are already award winners from the Houston Livestock Show
& Rodeo 2023 Rodeo, Lone Star International Wine Competition, and the San
Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wine Competition. There are seven new wines planned
for future release in the coming months. One is a Sangiovese, a Tannat, a Cabernet
Sauvignon, a red blend, and a special big high alcohol red blend that will be a
flagship wine, plus a Souzao and a sparkling wine.
This family-owned winery will make you feel more than welcome. They are “all in” on this next phase of the farm’s rich history. Their family legacy and history in the area appears to be full of interesting people who had the ability to dig in and find a way to get the most out of what they had as they wrote their chapters in the history books on this farm. The new winemaking journey is another story that is just beginning, and we look forward to future chapters of this new story. Enjoy your visit here!
So,
how is this 14-year-old Texas wine holding up?
Quite well! If you did not see
the vintage on the bottle, you might think this was a much younger wine of perhaps
five years. There is almost no color deterioration noted as you pour this ruby gem
into the glass. Notes of blackberry and raspberry are there along with some
leather. Take those first few sips, and those tannins are still holding on to
this well aged beauty. There is a touch
of vanilla but oh so subtle. This almost
full-bodied beast is quite a surprise and impressive wine to enjoy after all
these years hanging out in the cellar. You can probably still hold this bottle
longer if you have some, but to be honest, it is drinking so well right now, so
you might want to enjoy a glass now. Cheers!
For
under $10, this is a fantastic go-to Cava. Made from 40% Trepat, 40% Pinot
Noir, and 20% Garnatxa, this wine pours a nice light pink shade and will
certainly visually please you with many bubbles on that first pour. The intense
fruit scent of strawberries will be the first to greet you as you begin your sipping
experience followed apple notes. That fizzy sensation on your palate is a
wonderful mouthfeel complemented with flavors of cherries and grapefruit. There
are also floral and honey notes on the finish. There is a lot of fun, and bang for the buck
with this Cava Brut. Do not shy away from trying something new. ¡Salud!
Made
from Tannat, this Frizzante Rosé presents as a bold new bubbly for your next
celebration. Served chilled, the refreshing carbonation is just the right soother
for those hot summer days. Cherry aromas will be waiting to excite your senses
with each bubble along with peaches and a touch of strawberry. Your palate will
be tantalized by the moderate acidity coupled with raspberry notes. It is bold
enough to pair up with your best main course, so feel free to serve this bottle
with everything all day. Cheers!
This
bottle of Viognier wine is dedicated to dog rescue organizations in the Houston
area, hence, the Greek name Skylos. Sourced from Hoover Valley Vineyards, this
Texas Hill Country AVA sourced fruit does not disappoint and what a treat. Pop open that bottle and pour that first
glass and you will be mesmerized by those deep rich aromas of lemons and
peaches. Sip and swirl a few times, this Viognier will check the box for that
full mouthfeel. With citrus flavors to
complement along with a long-lasting finish, there is much to love with this bottle
of wine. It is already a San Francisco & Rodeo Uncorked 2023 wine
competition winner, plus the fact that every bottle helps fund dog rescue
efforts. What is not to enjoy here? It is a winner all the way around. Cheers!
It’s
always a special treat to pull out a Texas 2011 wine (from the great drought
year) to see how it’s progressing. This 12-year-old bottle seems to be aging
nicely. The cork was well intact (a good sign) with no funky smells (an even
better sign). Aged in French oak for 24 months, the dark fruit is still rich in
aromas and flavors for this red wine. It is starting to drink a little smoother
with a touch of smoke. It has just the right balance of acids and tannins right
now for an enjoyable sipping session. You can keep holding this one if you like
and taste its continually evolving structure for the next few years. Cheers!
This lovely red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 34%, Merlot 33%, and Tempranillo 13% is a nice take on a Bordeaux/Rioja fusion style wine. It pours a plum hue and is rich in raspberry, cherry, and blackberry notes. There is a velvety texture to this sipping jewel along with a hint of chocolate tucked in to complement the fruit. This red jewel expresses itself as a very well-balanced wine and should pair nicely with your next grilled feast. It is always a pleasure to enjoy a fantastic quality red wine blend that won’t break the bank. Hats off to Casa Madero. ¡Salud!
This
bold Tempranillo makes quite an impression on the wine senses. On the pour, it
shows off its crimson hue and quickly fills the air with aromas of plums and
black cherries. Take that first sip and prepare yourself for some firm tannins balanced
with bright acids. There is a bit of nut on the finish along with a touch of
tobacco. This big beast demands a nice fatty food pairing, so plan to serve
this with great food. Cheers!
What
an excellent Mourvèdre to sip and enjoy all evening! Clocking in at a whopping
15.4% abv, this bad baby pours a moderate garnet hue and will instantly fill
the air with notes of fresh strawberries on that initial pour. Some cranberries
and raspberries will complement the aromatics, as well. Savor those first few
sips and thoroughly enjoy those dark fruit flavors along with a bit of plum.
This red beast has a big mouthfeel for a medium bodied red wine along with
bright acids and a touch of vanilla. Tannins are just right for this 2017
jewel, so enjoy the highlights of this great wine as it continues to please.
Cheers!
This
upcoming Italian white grape in Texas has been making some good impressions in
the industry. Sourced from Pepperjack Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA,
this stainless-steel aged wine has a slight soft peach tint to it and aromas of
pear and pineapple. It has a mouthwatering feel to it with some bright acidity.
Your palate may also discern a bit of lemon grass, too. The finish it lingers
on the palate leaving you wanting more. This
white wine is a clean, refreshing thirst quencher on a hot day when chilled and
pairs nicely with your fresh gulf coast catch as well as those outstanding
summer salads. Salute!
