Limestone Terrace Vineyard - Wimberley, TX

Tucked away in the hills just north of Wimberley, is a small family boutique winery and vineyard that is a must on your wine travel itinerary.  You may have to take a few careful turns along the windy unpaved road and navigate some narrow paths slowly, but you will eventually be rewarded at your destination with an oasis with majestic views and a handsome vineyard that greets you at the entrance. The original vineyard is no stranger to the Texas Hill Country AVA but succumbed to a fire during the great Texas drought of 2011.  Owners Paul Dierickx and Ben Stovall had taken over the estate in 2016 and began the journey to bring wine life back to this spot. Planting top-quality Mediterranean varietals of white, rose, and reds that year, the 8-acre vineyard started to come back to life with vines of Mourvédre, Sangiovese, and Albarino. The winery’s name pays homage to the limestone rock shelf that cascades downward towards the vineyard below. The first wine release and opening day was in 2020 and the fun has never stopped. Christine Daly helps oversee the vines and wine production.  There is a large, covered area near the vineyard for tastings, but the real treat is the deck next to it overlooking the terrace and vineyard below.

Tastings are done by “Wine of The Week” so they rotate on a regular basis.  You will get a selection of five wines to try from about 14 wines on their menu. For this tasting session, we enjoyed the whitetail which is a white wine blend of 34% Roussanne, 33% Trebbiano, and 33% Albarino. The wine was well balanced, medium bodied and would pair nicely with slow cooked chicken, and honestly is wonderful on its own on a warm day. The second white we sampled was the 2021 Albarino. Sourced from Narra Vineyards, this jewel had great acids, some tropical and citrus notes and was on the bold side for a white wine.  We moved onto the Dolcetto Rosé. Offered on tap, this easy sipper was dry with notes of cranberry, good acids, and a touch of effervescence. A 2021 estate blend Rosé of Sangiovese and Mourvedre is also available, and we felt it was a must to take home! For the reds, their 2019 Sangiovese has Texas High Plains fruit aged for 21 months in neutral oak. It's light in color, smooth to the taste, and has just enough acids to dazzle your palate. The 2020 Tempranillo was sourced from Crooked Post Vineyard of the High Plains. Aged 20 months in oak, this Texas red wine has medium tannins, along with a subtle light smoke and hint of leather.  It is probably the smoothest and easiest Texas Tempranillo to sip than any other you have had.  The 2019 Mourvèdre from the Texas High plains will delight the senses with red berries and moderate tannins. Try it again in a couple of years to see how well it continues to mature. There is a 2020 estate Mourvèdre that you will want to make sure you try as well. The real piece de resistance was the 2020 Teraldego. This High Plains sourced fruit from Pepper Jack Vineyards had a deep dark plum color, rich berry flavors, and a nice lingering finish. It just might rival several good Cabernet Sauvignons.  Growlers are available for some of the wines, with a nod to sustainability and just like in the old county, bring your empty one back for a refill. Look for the artistic “smoke” rendering on the labels that pays homage to the previous vineyard.  No worries if a wine bottle you think looks good isn’t on the weekly list. Nothing on the menu will disappoint and this is the place to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, you just might find a new favorite to love.

Everything is worth a try and a wonderful sipping experience, so plan to bring a cooler and take some bottles home to continue enjoying for later. The beauty of these wines is that they are each entirely enjoyable alone but can also be enjoyed with food.  In the future the winery has plans to release a Fiano and Tannat.  With the fantastic vineyard views from the terrace, fabulous wines, and excellent staff to take care of you, there is no need to rush life while you’re here. Bring a picnic lunch or charcuterie snacks, friends, significant others, guests, yourself and just take a break to enjoy the great outdoors, a nice cross breeze on the deck, the vineyard views of this lovely gem and understand what “La dolce vita” is all about here. Relax, slow down and be present in the moment and one with your wine. Cheers!

www.limestoneterrace.com

Fiano – 2021; Portree Cellars; Johnson City, Texas

This traditional Southern Italian varietal seems to have found a nice home in Texas.  Sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyards, this Texas High Plains AVA fruit will greet you with a nice tropical sensation on the nose.  That first sip will also entice those tastebuds with citrus notes accompanied by a touch of apple. The acids are great for this white wine, giving this wine a Sémillon-like feel to it.  This 2023 San Francisco Wine Competition Best of Class winner has some bragging rights as well. Put this white wine in the medium bodied category and plan to pair this one with fine food. Salute!

www.portreecellars.com

Heist – 2016; Ladrón Cellars; Englewood, Colorado

As one of the earlier vintages, this red blend beast has some great traditional GSM style to it along with enticing fruit forward notes.  At just 6 years old, those fresh fruit forward sensations of a young wine still shine through on the palate. Sourced from Paso Robles AVA, this blend of 50% Grenache, 42% Syrah, and 8% Petite Sirah has notes of licorice and plums along with a hint of raspberry. There is a lingering smooth finish that will motivate you for a repeat sipping experience. That rich mouthfeel will also excite all the tastebuds.  You cannot go wrong with this red wine jewel for any occasion. A red to savor and enjoy. Cheers!

www.ladroncellars.com

Cuvée de Gaston – 2021; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

This rock solid Rosé wine has a lot of great flavors going for it. The 2021 vintage is a blend of Texas High plains AVA Mourvèdre and Cinsault. It has a wonderful pink hue coupled with lush notes of melon, cherry, and some strawberry.  If you are patient, a touch of apple might be noted as well. Acids are on the mild side for this medium bodied jewel and that finish is oh so refreshingly cool. You will note this one has some minerality from that initial sip to add to the overall depth of satisfaction of this lovely wine. A great treat for sure for those who love to enjoy a Rosé all day. Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Engine 12 – 2019; Kfire Winery & Vineyard; Bertram, Texas

You will want to savor every sip of this Rhone style white wine blend from Kfire.  This blend of Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne pours a pale-yellow color.  It is quite aromatic and will fill the air with floral and citrus aromas. This wine also has fresh acidity and a wonderful texture.  There is some nuttiness and minerality to this jewel along with a touch of honey to delight your tasting palate.  You might also discern a bit of oak on the finish, but it is not too heavy, so do not let that dissuade you from giving this one a try. A lovely white to enjoy for sipping on a warm day, but even better paired with food.  Well worth having a few bottles stashed away for the coming warmer weather. Enjoy this one!

www.kfirewineryandvineyard.com

Hill Country White – 2020; Lewis Wines; Johnson City, Texas

Ahh…this white wine is a great example of Texas Hill Country’s finest.  With 90% Verdelho from Bear Vineyards and 10% Arinto from their estate, this white beast will grab you with good acids and a crispness that makes it quite refreshing on a warm spring or summer day. It is still nearly clear for this nearly three-year-old white with a slight tinge of pale-yellow to it. The floral notes will pleasantly greet you followed by some luscious melon.  When it’s a hot day in Texas, that memorable finish will entice you to keep reaching for another cool sip. Enjoy chilled and pair with your best summer treat. Cheers!

www.lewiswines.com

Murderers’ Row – NV; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

The Winemaker series labels have always been an interesting take on how the different winemakers at William Chris apply their unique mojo and craftsmanship to making wine.  Named after the 1927 Yankee’s hitter line up, this bottle from three years ago was sourced from vineyards in Terry County of the Texas High plains AVA. This winemaker label is the creation of Chris Brundrett. It’s a blend of 30% Touriga Nacional, 25% Mourvèdre, 20% Carignan, 20% Tempranillo, and 5% Cinsault. It can be a little tight at first, so do let it sit for an hour to breathe. The wine has some distinct earthy undertones with rich dark fruit on the palate.  The acids are big, and the tannins are firm.  This bold beast is not for the lighthearted, but this bottle is a delight for the big bold red wine drinkers. Pair up with your best protein and enjoy!

www.williamchriswines.com

Ruby Cabernet – 2021; Robert Clay Vineyards; Mason, Texas

Even at just over a year old, this Texas Hill Country AVA Ruby Cab is an easy drinker for all red wine lovers. With just 23 cases made, this rare jewel is one to savor for a 13-month aged wine in neutral oak.  Fruit forward, yes…cherries and blackberries…yes, smooth & rich…. yes! Unfiltered and un-fined, you will be tasting the essence of good quality Mason County wine. The tannins can be a bit firm initially, but just let this baby sit for about an hour and a half and be enticed by the plum-colored radiance. What to pair?  Well, this Texas Ruby Cab will surprise you with some good acids that demand a nice meaty dish.  Enjoy this single varietal. Cheers!

www.robertclayvineyards.com

Uplift Vineyard – Burnet, Texas

Welcome to Eden. It just takes one stroll along the vineyard path to realize that you have walked into paradise. From the meticulously managed vines to the 360-degree valley views, the surreal initial feeling is like you are in a mystical spot. Many long time Texas wine fans may remember this place as Hoover Valley Vineyards. The grapes from HVV were used to make some of the fantastic wines from area wineries. Owners Reed and Joan Williams had been managing the 78-acre estate for just over a decade. With 55 acres of vines, 13 varietals planted, and gorgeous scenic country hills surrounding the valley, it has been an impressive site for sourcing quality Texas grapes. The Williams had been looking for someone to take over their vineyard paradise and care for it as much as they had. William Chris Vineyards and Lost Draw had been sourcing this spot for grapes for a while and it seemed like a natural fit for them to add this to their expanding business. Well, with some negotiations, wine talking, and favorable financing, the marriage made in Hill Country heaven became reality in 2021.  As part of the ownership change, the site was named Uplift Vineyard as a reflection of the area geology and geography (a billion plus years in the making) that has blessed so many vineyards in the Texas Hill Country. But more importantly, many of the staff from the original owners are still there carrying forth the history of the vineyard with them as they help cultivate a new path and future for the farm.

This unique vineyard location has a lot of great things going for it.  First, it benefits from the microclimate effects from the nearby Colorado river and surrounding “Texas Mountains”. It doesn’t get too cold or too hot, and it garners the benefits of a little bit of shielding from severe storms by virtue of the surrounding hills. Second, the soil profile ranges from sandy, to sandy loam, to clay which helps the planting of the ideal grapes on specific soil compositions. Thirdly, the wisdom and knowledge from the long-time vineyard manager Rob Strain keeps the site working like a charm.  Grapes grown on the site include Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Roussanne, Merlot, Malbec, Aglianico, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Marsanne, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Grenache.  Most of the vineyard practice is done with low yielding vines to encourage good quality fruit - not to mention, lots of hand harvesting, too! While most grapes grown here will go to the William Chris Wine Company, the estate wines at Uplift will use only the top-quality fruit from each harvest.

Clair Richardson is the lead winemaker at Uplift. Many may recognize her as the assistant winemaker at William Chris Vineyards. She has really hit a home run with some of the first batches of wine that have been released, so be prepared to be super impressed. In addition, renowned winemaker Jean Hoefliger is onboard to provide his invaluable consulting to help guide this new place to its full potential. Currently, wine production is done at the William Chris Vineyards location in Hye. Eventually, wines will be made on site at the new production building. Your tasting experience here is truly unique and memorable. Take in the full breadth of the wonderful vineyard views as you ride around the estate in the vineyard golf cart.  On the higher elevation side of the vineyard is a picnic table where you can relax and enjoy the majestic scenes of the hills, vineyard, and natural countryside and maybe a lovely little breeze. During the springtime, you’ll be blessed with the wildflowers that parallel the trellis and vines. Inside the tasting room, the walls are decorated with lovely artwork, elegant tables with a rustic feel, as well as a spacious open floor plan.  Upstairs will be the new club-member lounge with a fantastic view of the estate from the outside porch.

Keep in mind, there is no such thing as an empty glass during your tasting session, so you will be well taken care of during your visit. For this tasting session, the intros started with a glass of Lost Draw Uplift Blanc. Sourced from the Uplift estate, this white wine is a blend of 69% Viognier, 19% Marsanne, and 19% Roussanne. It’s clean, crisp, with some rich minerality to it.  Next, we were treated to some barrel samples of their Montepulciano and Sangiovese. Aged in French Oak, there’s nothing like sampling great wine straight from the barrel and participating in your own “thieving” process! The next set of wines were enjoyed with a pairing of some fine beef cooked on a sizzling hot stone. You get to mix and match your own fixings of customized seasoning, tomato pesto, or smoked salt. The first wine to try this pairing with was the 2020 Aglianico. The wine has deep red fruit flavors, bold, and quite fruit forward. Next was the 2021 Montepulciano. The depth of flavors was incredible along with herbal notes and red berries. Following that wonderful beast, was the 2020 Whitlock.  This estate red is a blend of 90% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Aglianico. It is well balanced, with great fruit aromas, plus a fine finish. Finally, was the 2021 Sangiovese. This lovely red wine is full bodied with rich red fruit enveloping your palate like there’s no tomorrow. But wait…there was one more. The “hard-to-get” 2020 Montepulciano was also available, and it is drinking well right now! It’s smooth, elegant, and rich in berries.   All these red wines can be age worthy, so get extras to try and savor again in the future. Additional wines are in the works, including a Cabernet Sauvignon and some Rhône style blends. 

Uplift Vineyard is a spectacular jewel in the Texas Hill Country AVA. There is no shame in walking away with a case or two.  The staff here are knowledgeable and here to make sure your experience is nothing but the finest.  The trouble is, once you have visited, you find yourself continuing to reminisce about this spectacular utopia, leaving no doubt that you have found something special. Cheers! 

www.upliftvineyard.com

Aglianico – 2018; RE:Rooted 210; San Antonio, Texas

It doesn’t matter how you pronounce this varietal, but it does matter that you savor this one to the max.  This dry, deep red Aglianico has 10% Cabernet Sauvignon added to this Texas High Plains sourced fruit for that extra depth. Black fruit will reach out to greet your palate along of a little bit of earthy undertones. It has good moderate tannins and medium acidity with a touch of pepper on that finial finish. Get this one in their growler and go back for refills. Sip, refill, repeat. Cheers!

www.rerootedwine.com

Two Rivers – 2020; Saba Winery; Mason, Texas

Named after the land between the San Saba and Llano rivers, this Viognier hits the mark on a good solid full bodied white wine. It is one of the inaugural wines released by the winery on opening day last year. Sourced from Tad Daniel Vineyards of the Texas High plains AVA, it has started to develop a little more color to it in its third year.  This wine has great fruit forward aromas of apricot and peach and a full mouthfeel that wakes up your tastebuds. Yep, there is a scent of perfume lingering in the air, as well, for added sensation.  This aromatic white also packs some respectable acids to dazzle your palate, as well. Being full bodied, this white beast could certainly handle your best bold feast. An excellent food pairing white wine that is sure to please. Enjoy!

www.sabawine.com