Sweet 16!

The magic 16 anniversary year has arrived, and Texas wine continues to show exciting momentum. Seems like Teroldego and Picpoul Blanc have been on the rise, while lesser-known varietals like Fiano are appearing and providing some pleasant surprises of their own. We pulled out a few classic “oldies” this past year that are aging quite nicely, offering even more proof that Texas wines can age well—especially a 2016 Picpoul Blanc that was a surprise standout winner. Looking ahead to year 17, keep an eye out for Petit Manseng, around-the-world comparisons on the horizon, and a resurgence of Texas Cabernet Franc making waves. With late Spring frost affecting some vineyards and hail sadly hitting a few favorites, it will be interesting to see how the second budding vintages play out for 2026. Here’s hoping the rains have ceased for the summer so 2026 can become another great Texas harvest. Cheers!

Albariño Reserve – 2023; Solaro Estate Winery; Dripping Springs, Texas

Harvested from the Texas High Plains AVA, this 2023 Albariño Reserve pours a pale straw color and opens with an enticing aromatic profile. Notes of peach and apricot lead the way, complemented by a touch of minerality that leads to a strong refreshing and balanced wine. It is one savory white wine to enjoy. Cheers!

www.solaroestate.com

Sangiovese Rosé – 2024; Kalasi Cellars; Fredericksburg, Texas

This 2024 Sangiovese Rosé from Kalasi Cellars is a fun and refreshing sipper made from their High Plains estate fruit at Narra Vineyards. Part of the Heritage Collection, it shows off a warm pink-orange color in the glass and brings enticing notes of cherry and strawberry right up front. With bright acidity and a clean, refreshing finish, this one is just right for kicking back on a warm day. Cheers!

www.kalasicellars.com

Rhinory – Fredericksburg, Texas

To say that one trip changed a lot for owners Craig Stevens and Chesney Castleberry is an understatement. During a safari, they witnessed the tragedy of rhino poaching firsthand, an experience that inspired them to get involved in conservation and eventually create a sanctuary in the Texas Hill Country. Their 55-acre property west of Stonewall became an ideal home for Blake, their Texas-born rhino resident. Building a sanctuary and relocating a rhino was no small task, but Craig and Chesney’s determination made it happen. Oh yes, and there is a winery here, too! Since opening in 2022, it has become a natural extension of their passion for fine wine and a meaningful way to support their conservation efforts. Originally a peach farm, the estate now includes nearly 10 acres of Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Merlot, and Malbec. With most vines in their fourth leaf, estate-grown Texas wines are still on the way, but visitors can already enjoy excellent Texas wines made from High Plains fruit along with standout South African selections. The McPhersons have helped craft many of the Texas wines, while Dr. Bob Young has contributed red wines aged in Texas oak. A top-notch team of South African winemakers helps support wines made from the Stellenbosch district, Elgin ward, and the coastal region. The tasting room and back patio offer spacious seating, beautiful views of the Pedernales River Valley, and direct views of Blake. The north-facing wine tasting patio is an extra plus design to have, especially with the infamous Texas summer heat.

For your testing selection, you’ll have a great list to choose from so your only issue is picking which flight to enjoy. For this tasting session a mix of South African and Texas (both reds and whites) were sampled. Starting off with the Sumatran Sparkles, this South African sourced bubbly is Pinot Grigio based with notes of honeysuckle, citrus, and some good minerality.  Next from the same country was their Wijde Sparkling. This white bubbly was blended with 53% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir, and 1% Pinot Meunier. It expressed itself with an elegant floral aroma coupled with bright acidity and a touch of pear. Following these were two of the Crash label brands. Both Pinotage based, with the dry version a nice and light easy drinking wine featuring notes of strawberries with bright acidity. The sweet Pinotage bubbly version (though more lightly sweet) exhibited more of a cream sensation with a touch of cherries. Moving on to the white wines, the first sipped was the 2024 Albariño. This Texas white wine has some good pineapple notes giving a pleasant tropical finish. The next white was the Texas High Plains 2025 Viognier. Sourced from Lahey Vineyards, this one was quite impressive with apricot and lemon to tease your wine senses. The next Texas red to dive into was the 2024 Horn Red Blend. This High Plains sourced fruit comprised of 40% Malbec, 25% Dolcetto, 25% Sangiovese, and 10% Petite Sirah had notes of clove and cherry going for it with balanced tannins and acidity. Texas Mourvèdre has been making big waves in the Texas wine industry, and their 2023 vintage has Grenache blended with it to yield an intense fruit forward wine with blackberry to satisfy the nose and palate. The final Texas red wine sampled was the 2024 Sangiovese. With cherry, raspberry, and a touch of spice, this classic Italian varietal was quite satisfying. For the South African red wines, the 2022 Cabernet Franc was the first to sip and swirl. Part of the winery’s Keras collection, this big bold wine was loaded with great tannins and had a firm mouth gripper for sure! Following that were two 2022 Cabernet Sauvignons. One was also from the Keras collection with deep cocoa and raspberry notes and a fine tannic finish. Not quite as bold, but still big, the other Cabernet wine displayed more blackberry and plum notes with a bit of leather at the finish. Rounding out the tasting adventure was the 2023 Five Species. This Bordeaux style red blend had Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and some Petit Verdot blended to craft a well-balanced, smooth, and elegant wine to savor all evening.

With a long family history in the Hill Country spanning more than a century, Craig and Chesney are adding their own chapter to the region’s evolving story. The property offers one beautiful surrounding scenery, dedicated up-close viewing sessions with Blake, and local artwork displayed throughout the tasting room. At its heart, this place is a true rhino conservation effort, strengthened by excellent wines from South Africa and Texas that help support the mission. It is a unique gem in the Texas Hill Country. Cheers!

www.rhinory.com

Calcaria – 2022; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

This classic white wine blend from Kuhlman has always been a rock solid go to white wine blend. Crafted with 35% Roussanne, 34% Albariño, 16% Viognier, and 15% Trebbiano, this High Plains sourced fruit is holding up very well. The wine shows off a moderate straw hue in the glass with bright citrus notes for the initial greeting. It delivers great acidity that is complimented by hints of pear and a pleasing touch of minerality. Altogether, this is a well-balanced white with enough freshness and structure to suggest it still has a few more years of life left. Cheers!

www.heathfamilybrands.com/k-estate

Peters Prairie Barbera Rosé – 2024; Fly Gap Winery; Mason, Texas

Get a load of this mighty creation!  Harvested from Peter’s Prairie Vineyard of the Texas Hill Country AVA, this Barbera-based Rosé is spot on for a perfect warm weather season pairing. Unfiltered and naturally hazy, it bursts with bright acidity and enticing notes of cherry and strawberry, finished with a playful touch of spice. Wow, right? Crisp, refreshing, and a satisfying mouthfeel, there is nothing wrong with savoring this bad-ass beast for an all-day Rosé indulgent. Cheers!

www.flygapwinery.com

La Cuvee du Manoir – 2012; Calais Winery; Hye, Texas

Couldn’t resist opening this 14-year-old Tempranillo to see how it was holding up. Sourced from Newsom Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, it really benefits from about 90 minutes in the decanter. Clocking in at 14.5% ABV, the acidity is still going strong, and the plum and cherry notes are still respectfully present. The color is starting to show a little age, but not nearly as much as you might expect. There’s also a bit of smoke and spice after that first sip, and the finish is oh so fine. This vintage still has plenty of life left and is a real pleasure to drink. And the best part? There’s also a reserve version from the same year to try later, so stay tuned. Santé!

www.calaiswinery.com

Celebration – 2019; Parr Vineyards; Mason, Texas

This Mourvèdre is a fun one for any celebration. Made from estate fruit of the future Hickory Sands AVA and clocking in at a respectable 14.8% ABV, it brings plenty of satisfying flavor without going over the top. Notes of rich cherries and plums are the first to wake up your wine senses followed by a little nutmeg spice, and just enough dark chocolate to keep things interesting. It is medium-bodied, smooth, and has just enough tannins for a delightful finish. Basically, the kind of red wine you keep going back to. Cheers!

www.parrvineyards.com

Valserrano Reserva – 2010; Bodegas y Viñedos de la Marquesa; Rioja Alavesa, Spain

This Rioja blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano shows off a light garnet hue with moderate red berry notes that are still intact after nearly 16 years. On the palate, it offers a lively mouthfeel, medium acidity, and a long, lingering finish, with subtle leather and earthy undertones adding depth and structure. This wine is still drinking really well for its age and could easily cellar for a few more years. For the best experience of this mighty red beast, decant for about 90 minutes before serving. ¡Salud!

www.valserrano.com

Marsanne – 2023; Perissos Vineyard & Winery; Burnet, Texas

Sourced from One Way Vineyard in the Texas High Plains AVA, this classic Rhône varietal is highly aromatic, opening with notes of lemon and herbs to help wake up your wine sensory attention. Whether half full or half empty, the Marsanne shows an appealing pale straw color against the sunlight that’s quite eye appealing. For that first sip, it offers noticeable minerality, medium acidity, and a subtle hint of oak that adds extra character. Overall, it is a refreshing, easy-drinking wine that is especially enjoyable on a warm day. Cheers!

www.perissosvineyards.com

Kuhlmanation Estate White – 2023; Kuhlman Cellars; Stonewall, Texas

This HWY 290 estate white wine of the Texas Hill Country AVA, a blend of 77% Marsanne and 23% Roussanne, shows off a light golden hue and opens with strong aromas of sage and papaya. Sip and swirl and relish those additional notes of pear and jasmine that add a little bit of elegance to your wine tasting session. You’ll definitely fall in love with its refreshing character and notice that it has just the right acidity to help tantalize that mouthwatering feel. The wine finishes with lingering tropical sensations, making it a vibrant and satisfying white to enjoy. Santé!

www.heathfamilybrands.com/k-estate

Newburg Vineyards Estate Cuvee – 2023; Brennan Vinyards; Comanche, Texas

This estate white wine blend of Viognier and Sémillon displays a pale straw hue and will impress your wine senses with initial notes of tropical sensations. It also offers rich notes of apricot and lemon with a satisfying mouthfeel sensation. A subtle hint of vanilla lingers through the finish, adding just enough character to round out this fresh, well-composed white. Cheers!

www.brennanvineyards.com