Texas Hill Country Wineries Episodes

Happy Texas Wine Month! My guests on this episode are some of the pioneers of the Texas Wine industry. Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo are the co-founders of Messina Hof Winery, and they join me to talk about the early days of Messina Hof and the Texas wine industry. They share how Texas wine consumers can help the industry grow and share some encouraging words for new Texas wineries. But first, I'll share some Texas wine news. There’s a disappointing rebranding of the Texas Wine Garden at the State Fair of Texas and a significant decrease in Texas wines available there. But there are some positive stories too, including a chance to further your education in Texas wine and a Southern magazine recognizing some Texas wine women. Cheers, y'all!

Evan McKibben wants nothing more than to share the stories of the vineyard with Texas wine drinkers. He's the vineyard manager at Pedernales Cellars’ Kuhlken Vineyard just north of Fredericksburg. Before that, he managed vineyards for William Chris Vineyards and also founded Red Caboose Winery with his dad. In our interview, Evan talks about opportunities to learn viticulture, his wine brand Broken Grape, and his farming philosophy. In Texas wine news, lots of Texas winemakers are on the move, and the national spotlight is shining on a number of Texas wines and wine regions. Cheers y'all!

Michael Barton is the winemaker at Hilmy Cellars in Fredericksburg. He’s earning rave reviews for his wines, and today you’ll hear about his deep appreciation for Texas grape growers, the changes he’s been making at Hilmy, and what he learned working for some larger wineries. If you haven’t been to Hilmy lately, you’ll definitely want to go after hearing Michael’s interview. But first, the Texas wine news. Cheers, y'all!

Today my guest is Jon Leahy, the winemaker at Becker Vineyards, one of the first, and one of the largest wineries in Texas. We take a look back at some of the most memorable wines he’s made, his extensive travels, and what’s next for Becker Vineyards. I’ve got a last minute ticket giveaway for Toast of Texas! And as always, we’ll review some of the news stories where Texas wine has shown up. Cheers y'all!

Dan Gatlin joins me to talk about his almost 50 years in the wine industry. We cover a lot of ground including including the development of the wine industry in Napa Valley, the lessons learned in the early years of the Texas wine industry, Dan's unconventional ideas about terroir, and why he wishes the Texas wine industry would have adopted some of the strategies from the Oregon wine industry. In Texas wine news, big congrats to a Texas winemaker for making VinePair's List of 50, kudos for Texas women in wine, a feature article on Texas red blends, and a new documentary about Texas wine. We end with a gold star for a Texas winery for their recent blog post with great information on aging wine. Cheers y'all!

Today's guests are Nikhila Narra Davis and Greg Davis of Kalasi Cellars. They’ve got a major presence as both High Plains grape growers and as winery owners in Fredericksburg. You’ll hear from Nikhila, who handles wines and vines, and Greg, who handles the rest. In the news, you’ll find out who’s receiving the Doc McPherson Award, why you should attend the Texas Wine Auction, and Valley Mills Vineyards’ Sarah Holder joins me to talk about Rootstock and the ins and outs of planning a wine festival. Cheers y'all!

My guest Bryan Chagoly co-owns Sandy Road Vineyards in Johnson City. We discuss how Sandy Road Vineyards started and their plans for the future. We also talk about Bryan’s latest project, Top Texas Wines. You'll hear more about this effort to promote the Texas wines that win the most gold medals in international wine competitions. In Texas wine news, there’s a major development in the effort to add another AVA in the Hill Country, some travel and tourism news, and more news that has people talking. I also share a personal story about a recent blind tasting event I hosted. Cheers y'all!

It’s the end of 2022, and it’s time to take stock of the big stories in Texas wine industry this year. Today I’m going to talk through it all with John Rivenburgh of Kerrville Hills Winery. We talk about the Texas wine stories that made the news, those that didn’t but should have, our personal Texas wine highs and lows, and even a few predictions about 2023. In other Texas wine news, I’ll tell you what I’ve learned about what's going on at Uplift Vineyard, the cool new address for Lost Draw Cellars, Texas wine award winners, and more. Cheers y'all!

Glena Yates, president of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, joins me to share some history of the organization, information on recent challenges and staffing changes, and what TWGGA hopes to accomplish in the next legislative session. In Texas wine news, I’ve got the scoop on a big California winery moving to town, wines purchases that support charitable causes, and which Texas winery makes the Top 100 Worlds Best Vineyards list for 2022. Cheers y'all!

Sergio Cuadra, director of winemaking at Fall Creek Vineyards is celebrating his 10th harvest in Texas, but he’s been working in wine for even longer in Chile. Hear what he thinks about the unique opportunities that growing grapes and making wine in Texas presents. In Texas wine news, we’ve got several articles about Texas wineries in the news. Plus awards results from two different competitions. Listen for all these details and more. Cheers, yall!

My guests are two of the best hospitality biz professionals in Texas. Victoria Calais and Donna Rene Johnston join me to share some tips for visiting Texas winery tasting rooms whether you're visiting Fredericksburg, Johnson City, North Texas, Texas High Plains, or anywhere else across the state. Plus, Texas wine news includes the 12 winners of Texas Monthly’s 2022 Vintners Cup and the liquidation of what was once the largest winery of Texas. Cheers, y'all!

Michael Bilger of Adega Vinho joins me for a talk about the viticulture and enology practices he employs at Adega Vinho in Stonewall, Texas. We get specific about the terroir in the Texas Hill Country, efforts to add sub-AVAs to the Texas Hill Country appellation, and the modern agricultural practices that are being implemented in the Bilger family vineyard. You’re sure to learn a little something about soil health, Portuguese wine varieties, and what’s so special about the Texas Hill Country. Cheers, y'all!

In this episode you’ll hear what’s important to Southold Farm + Cellar's Regan Meador. We discuss his thoughts on growth, distribution, winemaking and vineyard practices. And in Texas wine news, find out about The Vind app, camping at 4R Ranch, wine recommendations for crawfish, and the Wine & Food Foundation's June 5 event. I'll be leading a VIP pre-party, and I hope to see you there! Cheers y'all!

Bénédicte Rhyne is my guest on this episode. If you don’t already know Benedicte, you’re in for a treat. In my interview with her, we talk about how Texas reminds her of her native Provence, how she strives for balance in winemaking, and her thoughts on the collaborative nature of the Texas wine industry. Plus the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Cheers, y'all!

How much do you really know about Messina Hof, one of the largest wineries in Texas? My interview with Paul M. and Karen Bonarrigo (winemaker and chief administrative officer, respectively) provides a glimpse behind the scenes of a family business with a rich tradition and bold goals for the future. In Texas wine news, I’ve got a cool wine industry job to share, news of a winery that may be haunted, and results from recent wine competitions. Cheers, y'all!

October is Texas Wine Month! I’ll get the celebration off on the right foot with my guest Jennifer McInnis Fadel, general manager of Bending Branch winery in Comfort. I’m also sharing the latest news about the Texas wine industry including results from the 2021 Texas Vintners Cup. Texas Monthly and Uncork Texas Wines organized a new way to recognize 12 very special Texas wines. Plus, hear about California wineries coming to Texas, wineries and vineyards for sale, and more. Cheers y'all!

Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards is my distinguished guest today. Susan and her husband Ed are often called the first family of Texas wine. You’ll hear Susan share the story of how a trip through France in the 1970s laid the groundwork for the Aulers going all in on Texas wine. The industry would certainly look a lot different if not for the Aulers' many contributions. I’m also sharing the latest news about the Texas wine industry. We’ve got results from USA’s 10Best reader poll, and there are several new educational opportunities that will give you a chance to up your Texas wine game. Cheers, y'all!

Ron Yates is my guest for episode 26. He loves wine (Tempranillo is #1 in his heart), music, and Texas. He knows how special it is to be able to work in a winery every day! The world could use more of Ron's energy and positivity. Plus there's Texas wine news including a new YouTube docuseries that looks like a winner! And I've got a gold star for Hill & Vine, a new Hill Country restaurant that's making a huge impression in Fredericksburg. Cheers y'all!

This episode features an interview with Mike McHenry, founder of Wedding Oak Winery, and Seth Urbanek, winemaker at Wedding Oak. I’m sharing my tasting notes and a bit more information about the two wines that won the Judges' Selection, the top Texas wine prize at the recent TEXSOM International Wine Awards. Plus, I’ve got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Whether you’re a regular listener or joining in for the first time, welcome to This Is Texas Wine.

On this episode, I interview Susan Johnson of Texas Heritage Vineyard in Fredericksburg. I’ve also got the scoop on how Texas wineries fared in the 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards, one of the toughest wine competitions in the world. There's a new segment called Demerits and Gold Stars. Plus, I’ve got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Cheers y'all!

Wondering about the new winery being constructed next to Lewis Wines on 290? Barbara Lecuona is my guest, and she explains the who, what, and why behind Siboney Cellars. Plus lots of Texas wine news including the proposed wine labeling laws that the state legislature is considering, medal winners from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, a new #txwine tasting room, new food and wine tasting experiences and more!

My guest John Rivenburgh is the new president of the Texas Hill Country Wineries association. I’ll talk to John about his history in the Texas wine industry, the wine incubator he’s running at Kerrville Hills Winery, his passion for the Tannat grape, and more. I’ve also got a rundown of everything you need to know about Tannat, one of the top 10 red grapes grown in Texas.

William Chris Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars announced a plan to merge in October of this year. Today you’ll hear from the founders of those two wineries about the new William Chris Wine Company and its plans for the future. Plus, I’ve also got a round-up of the 23 biggest Texas wine stories of the year.

We are a week out from Thanksgiving, a time of year when we’re thinking about family. Today I’m talking to David and Julie Kuhlken, the dynamic brother/sister duo that co-owns and runs Pedernales Cellars. We had a great conversation about the history of their family winery, what’s going on in the Texas wine industry, and even the confusion over the pronunciation of Pedernales. I’m drinking a Pedernales wine. It’s the 2018 Pedernales Cellars Texas High Plains Viognier Reserve.