Texas Hill Country Wineries Episodes

On episode 111, listen for the latest Texas wine news, including plans for Austin Wine Week, new tasting rooms coming to the Hill Country, and an article focusing on low alcohol wines. Then I visited Torr Na Lochs in Burnet for a conversation with Blake DeBerry and Colby O'Brien. I'm excited to sha…

On episode 110, in addition to recapping Texas wine news, I'm sharing an interview with Zachary Raines, head winemaker at Augusta Vin Winery in Fredericksburg. Zachary's wines have been earning top medals at wine competition and receiving praise from critics. We talk through how he ended up in Texa…

This is episode 108, and it's the first podcast of 2026! Today's episode includes Texas wine news, wine competition results, and a replay of the closing session of the Hill Country Wine Symposium. The symposium was filled with great information and tastings, but this closing panel was mostly for fu…

My guest on episode 106 is Rarig Ross. Rarig and his wife Ellery co-own and operate Ferris & Fletch Wine Co in Fredericksburg, and Rarig is also the winemaker. You'll hear how his wine story started in California and is unfolding here in Texas. He has some exciting news to share about a significant…

My guest today is Melissa Whatley. She and her husband Tyler are the co-owners of the recently opened Fredericksburg winery, Whatley Wines. Their faith and desire to pour into the community have inspired every aspect of Whatley Wines. We'll discuss the evolution of their brand, how food and wine pa…

Ron Yates of Ron Yates Wines and Spicewood Vineyards is a returning guest who first appeared in 2021. On this episode, he’s sharing more about "The Get Together", his new boxed wine project, the new tasting room he’s building at Ron Yates, and his thoughts about the 2025 harvest. Then in Texas wine…

Claire Richardson, winemaker at Uplift Vineyard, is my guest on this episode. She’s a talented winemaker who is also the co-founder of Grafted, the organization that was created to support women in Texas wine, and Explore Oeno, her personal brand. You’ll hear Claire's Texas wine story from Texas A&…

IT'S EPISODE 100! Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Wines joins me on this episode to share more about the Lost Draw story, including thoughts on the split from William Chris Wine Co. In celebration of my 100th episode, I’ve got some reflections on this milestone episode and the 5 year anniversary since th…

January Wiese of Texas Hill Country Wineries has some exciting announcements about new programs for this 25-year-old powerhouse of an organization, which focuses on marketing wineries in the Texas Hill Country AVA. In Texas wine news, thanks to a tip from a listener, I’ve got the scoop on a new Tex…

On episode 98, my guest is Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines near Johnson City. Doug shares the history of Lewis Wines, the importance of a region’s agricultural heritage, and the pending Farm Winery Permit. In Texas wine news, we’ve got new statistics from Wine America on the enormous impact of Texas wine…

My guests Remi and Tate Gregory are two rising young stars in the Texas wine industry. They hold important roles with some very established wineries in the state, plus they’re promoting their own wine brand – The Burg Wine Company. They’ve already garnered serious acclaim for their minimal interven…

My guest on this episode is Brian Heath, owner of Heath Family Brands. The portfolio includes Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Invention Vineyards, Jenblossom Cellars, and most recently, Kuhlman Estate, formerly known as Kuhlman Cellars. Brian and his wife Jennifer got into the Texas w…

In episode 95, my guest on this episode is Dr Akhil Reddy, CEO of Reddy Vineyards. Most people who follow Texas wine know the name Reddy Vineyards. Established in 1997 by Akhil’s parents, Reddy is one of the larger vineyards in the Texas High Plains. We’ll hear from Akhil about his vision for the b…

On episode 94, I’m thrilled to be talking with Dr. Bob Young, owner and winemaker of Bending Branch Winery. Bending Branch's focus on innovation and sustainability was a key reason for their inclusion in Wine Business Monthly's list of Hot Brands 2024. In an exclusive podcast interview, Dr Bob is a…

My guest today is award winning winemaker Jackie van Sant Downes, a native Texan who learned to make wine and had a flourishing career in Sonoma, and then returned to Texas to make wine for Driftwood Estate Winery. You may also know her personal brand, Jaclynn Renee Wines. She joins me for a really…

I’m kicking off 2025 with Bryan Chagoly of Sandy Road Vineyards. He’s back to tell us how Texas wine performed in wine competitions in 2024, what Texas wine is winning awards, which wineries are winning most often, what is new at Sandy Road Vineyards. 2025 started out with a bang in the Texas wine…

Today my guest is Landon Miller of Signor Vineyards. He’s responsible for production and seems to have his hand in many different aspects of the Signor brand. You'll hear more about the care with which Signor approaches winemaking, the strong ties to the land, and how Signor is truly a family busin…

Henry Crowson of Crowson Wines in Johnson City is always a ton of fun. Both his "0-0" winemaking style and his plans for his brand are pretty unique in Texas. Henry tells all about a future move and his long-term vision for Crowson Wines.In the Texas wine news, there’s a focus on news from Nort…

Jeremy Wilson joins me for episode 84. He's a sommelier and brand ambassador for Adega Vinho Winery and my latest guest in an occasional series of Texas Wine Country Personalities. Jeremy has been around the Texas wine industry for quite awhile not only as a winery employee, but also as a Texas Win…

This is episode 81, and my guest today is Mike Batek. Mike and his wife Denise own Hye Meadow Winery in Hye in the Texas Hill Country. Mike is also the current president of the Texas Hill Country Wineries association. His story starts at the beginning of his wine journey and ends with upcoming trav…

My guest on episode 80 is Tim Drake. He’s winemaker at Michael Ros Winery in Fredericksburg and also makes wine for Farmhouse Vineyards and Majek Vineyards. Tim has been in the Texas wine industry for quite some time, and he started his wine career in Washington. He's an entertaining subject with l…

My guest today is Bret Perrenoud, is one of the owners of a newer winery in Fredericksburg called Airis'Ele Vineyards. Many in the Texas wine industry know him from his long stint as the general manager at Becker Vineyards. During this interview, Bret shares a lot of stories and lessons learned dur…

Katy Jane Seaton is co-owner of Farmhouse Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. We’re talking about Texas agriculture, Farmhouse’s best damn client list, the eclipse, the quest for unity in Texas wine, and much more. ⁠In the Texas news section, we’ve got some breaking news from Daniel Kelada at V…

My guests today are Kristin and Mike Nelson of Ab Astris Stonewall. In 2020 I answered a call for harvest help, met the Nelson family, and have enjoyed getting to know them and their wines ever since. Our conversation includes their thoughts on the family business, sustainability, authenticity, and…