Blanc Du Bois: The Most Planted White Grape Variety in Texas with Fran Pontasch
My guest for this episode is Fran Pontasch, who along with co-authors Drs Russ Kane and Justin Scheiner, is writing a book about the most planted white grape variety in Texas, Blanc Du Bois. No other state has embraced Blanc Du Bois as warmly as Texas, and we will talk about all the reasons why. You'll also hear Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines discussing Swim Spot, his very popular effervescent wine made from Blanc Du Bois. In Texas wine news, I'll discuss Maryam Ahmed's new article for Bon Appetit that's getting people talking about drinking local, not just eating local. Plus, there's some troubling news about bankruptcy filings by two wine companies in Texas. And it's time to enter the Vintners Cup competition. Finally, I've got some tickets to give away for both Hill Country and North Texas events. Listen to find out how to enter. Cheers!
Mentioned in this Episode
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Mentioned in this Episode
- Maryam Ahmed for Bon Appetit Magazine: “We Champion Eating Locally. Why Don’t We Do The Same For Wine?”
- Texas Wine Bankruptcy Filings
- Texas Vintners Cup 2026
- Save the Date! Texas Hill Country Wineries Wine Camp 2026 will be held July 17–19!
- Cultivate Winemaker Dinner with Texas Fine Wine and Wine and Food Foundation on May 15 in Austin TICKETS
- Texas Hill Country Wineries’ New Summer Season Pass
- Texas Hill Country Wineries’ Barrels & Bites
- The Texas Wine Experience at Guad Haus in Austin is May 16!
- North Texas Wine Jam at Lost Oak Winery on Saturday, June 6!
- Drink North Texas on May 30 in Dallas. TICKETS
Featured Interview
Fran Pontasch, author of the forthcoming book on Blanc Du Bois with co-authors Drs. Justin Scheiner and Russ Kane. Visit www.blancdubois.com to stay connected!
Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines
Grower Perspective by James Kasparek of Starry Night Farms
Shelly’s List of Blanc Du Bois Wines and Producers to Try
Haak Winery 2020 Madeira
Haak Winery 2022 Blanc Du Bois
Enoch’s Stomp 2024 and 2025 Dry Blanc Du Bois
Enoch’s Stomp 2024 and 2025 Off-Dry Blanc Du Bois
Threshold Vineyard 2023 Blanc Du Bois
Threshold Vineyards 2023 Semisweet Blanc Du Bois
Pebble Rock Cellars 2020 o inicio and o segundo fortified Blanc Du Bois
Elisa Christopher Wines Sparkling Blanc Du Bois
Rebecca Christopher Sparkling Blanc Du Bois
Messina Hof
Loblolly Cellars Blanc Du Bois and BDB Sangria
Kiepersol Texas Vit
La Cruz de Comal
Wild Stallion Vineyards
West Sandy Creek Vineyards
Lewis Wines Swim Spot
Demerit and Gold Star
DEMERIT: none this episode
GOLD STARS:
Messina Hof Tacos and Tempranillo celebration for Cinco de Mayo
Texas Wine Growers for asking Southwest Airlines to allow Texas airports to join the Sip and Ship promotion.
Special Thanks
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Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!
Podcast music is by Landon Lloyd Miller. Check out this music on Spotify HERE
