Over the river (or two) and through some woods, lies a
fantastic new winery in the southwest rural area of Kerrville with heavenly
views. Owners Dan and Sue Schulse founded this place back in 2016 with
dreams of making fine estate wine after a lovely and inspiring trip to Tuscany
in 2013. Most wine trekkers may be familiar with the Turtle Creek Olives and
Vines tasting room that has been open in downtown Kerrville for the last few
years. Now Texas wine fans can journey just a little bit further to see where
the magic happens. As a family-owned and
operated facility, this business functions not only as a winery and vineyard
but also as a working farm with lambs, chickens, pecans, and other agricultural
products. Their focus on sustainable farming practices and 100% estate
grown Texas fruit is an unwavering commitment on their part and something you
will appreciate when you visit. The
property's unique microclimate, shaped by nearby hills, creek, and favorable
soil conditions, supports the cultivation of high-quality crops.
Tannat and Mourvèdre constitute the largest number of vines,
but there is also Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trebbiano, and a little
bit of Merlot. Yes, good Cabernet Sauvignon can be grown in the Hill Country,
but this locale has that unique setting that helps support that. Although wine
production is currently done elsewhere, plans are underway to soon have
everything done onsite. There are two main tasting options (mixed and reds).
Pick whichever, you can’t go wrong! Starting off this tasting session was the
2024 Trebbiano. It has quite an impressive bouquet of tropical fruits,
especially pineapple and some fantastic acids adding just the right balance.
Next up was the 2024 Rosé. Made from Tannat, it has fantastic floral aromas and
peach and caramel notes complimented with good minerality and a lovely shade of
salmon. Moving to the reds, the first to be sampled was the 2023 Nine to Five.
This blend of 64% Tannat and 36% Montepulciano expressed good dark fruit notes
and good acidity along with moderate tannins. The second red that was sampled
was the NV Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 2021 and 2022 vintages, this wine has
a very opaque color with lots of dark fruit notes, firm tannins, and a bit of
tobacco. Take your time sipping this one as it opens quite nicely over time.
Following that one was the 2021 Red Blend. This red wine mix of 60%
Montepulciano, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot is medium bodied, well
balanced and has a nice touch of earthiness. Capping off the tasting was the
2023 Tannat. This deep bold red wine has a velvety feel and notes of dark
berries with a touch of smoke. It can be a bit grippy right now, but it should
smooth out with time. Coming in 2026 is a reserve Montepulciano along with a
fantastic Mourvèdre to look forward to, so worth planning a visit this year to
try them.
The tasting room and outdoor
patio are both truly excellent and you will feel so comfortable. With
beautiful hill country views and a relaxed setting next to the river, you just
might want to camp here all night to soak up the vibes. Hopefully there will be
some excellent live music when you stop by for a visit. Don’t forget to sample
some of their super delicious food items, especially the lamb meatballs. The staff are quite knowledgeable and wonderful to work
with during your tasting experience. Once
you discover this charming little gem, savor every minute…and every drop
of wine. Cheers!
www.turtlecreekvineyard.com
