If you’re looking
for some well-crafted small batch Sonoma wines, look no further than this local
boutique family winery in Dripping Springs. Owner and winemaker, Tom Parmeson’s,
journey to this second part of his career may have been different, but passion
and hard work have paid off. Tom was a techie in the software development
industry when he had one of those epiphany things happen on trips to California
wineries in the 2000s. Like a great piece of software code that just pops into
your head in the middle of the night, that sparked a new motivation in Tom for
what he wanted to do with the next chapter of his life. After moving to
California and learning the trade, as well as obtaining a UC Davis degree, a
new adventure was launched in making wines in 2013. Eventually, he moved back
to Texas and opened his own winery in 2019. The tasting room building is
adjacent to a long-time stone sculpture garden. Inside the building, it is
quite quaint and cozy. Staff are more than happy to help guide you through your
wine tasting. The wine tasting building is also loaded with relics and the
history of Texas, as well, including some granite from the State Capitol. There
is ample space inside in a separate room to sit and enjoy your wines with a
view of the nearby stone sculptures as well as space outside to sit and enjoy
the scenic and quiet setting.
Tom emphasizes cultivating high-quality grapes and employs hands-off (aka don’t mess with the
grapes) approach to winemaking. The
current tasting menu predominantly features selections from Alexander Valley
and Russian River Valley. Tasting flights are available for both white and red
wines, making it an ideal opportunity for guests to sample a comprehensive
range. During the visit, the first to taste
was the 2022 Sparkling Albariño which was an ideal way to ease into the mood.
Notes of citrus and pear predominated along with a delightful refreshing feeling.
This was followed by the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, which was quite aromatic with a
bouquet of key lime and grapefruit with good acids complimented by a crisp
finish. The subsequent white, the
2023 Albariño, presented robust aromas of grapefruit complemented by hints of
apple and lime. The final white wine, the 2022 Chardonnay, offered a
lighter profile compared to typical Chardonnays.
It expressed itself as easy drinking with zesty apples and peaches hitting the
senses in all the right places. Transitioning
to red wines, the 2022 Pinot Noir showcased the varietal’s hallmark qualities,
featuring abundant currant, a touch of vanilla, and balanced acidity with a
refined finish. The next red
was the 2022 Syrah. It was quite dry with a profile of cedar and berries and medium
acidity. That was followed by the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon. It had a very opaque
hue and lots of bright cherries on the palate. The wine had good structure and
a bit of pepper at the finish. Wrapping up the tasting experience was the 2018 Zinfandel (produced from old vines) and featured an
opaque hue with depth, herbaceous undertones, plum notes, and robust acidity
and tannins.
This winery is a
great addition to the Dripping Springs area with plenty of outdoor seating
under the oak trees. There is much to just soak up and enjoy at this spot with
a great glass of handmade wine and good company. When you follow your dreams,
great things are possible. Voila!
www.parmesonwines.com
