Texas Hill Country Wineries Episodes

Dec. 15, 2022

The Year in Review with John Rivenburgh

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 …

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Nov. 17, 2022

Glena Yates, President of the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association

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 C…

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Oct. 20, 2022

Sergio Cuadra: 10 Years of Making Wine at Fall Creek Vineyards

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 se…

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Sept. 22, 2022

Tips for Visiting Texas Winery Tasting Rooms with Victoria Calais and…

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. …

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May 12, 2022

Modern Agriculture in the Texas Hill Country with Adega Vinho's Micha…

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 practi…

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April 14, 2022

A Peek Behind the Scenes with Regan Meador at Southold Farm + Cellars

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…

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Jan. 27, 2022

20 Years of Texas Wine with Bénédicte Rhyne

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 in…

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Oct. 28, 2021

Paul M. and Karen Bonarrigo of Messina Hof Winery

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…

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Oct. 1, 2021

Kicking off Texas Wine Month with Jennifer McInnis Fadel of Bending B…

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 Monthl…

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Aug. 26, 2021

Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards: Hill Country Advocate Extraordin…

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 wou…

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July 16, 2021

Ron Yates Loves Texas, Tunes, and Tempranillo (not necessarily in tha…

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 …

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June 3, 2021

Texas Roots Run Deep at Wedding Oak Winery

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 W…

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May 20, 2021

Susan Johnson of Texas Heritage Vineyard on How it Started and How it…

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,…

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March 18, 2021

Breaking New Ground with Barbara Lecuona of Siboney Cellars

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 f…

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Jan. 28, 2021

John Rivenburgh on Tannat, Mentorship, and Developing a Winery Incuba…

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 …

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Dec. 10, 2020

Chris Brundrett and Andrew Sides on the new William Chris Wine Compan…

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 th…

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Nov. 19, 2020

2020 Thanksgiving Edition featuring David and Julie Kuhlken of Pedern…

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 T…

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Sept. 10, 2020

Texas Wine Trails and Chuck Tordiglione's Big Plans

Chuck Tordiglione, owner of Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyard, is the president of the Cross Timbers Wine & Vineyard Association. Cross Timbers has big plans including publishing another glossy wine and travel magazine, new wine, food and art events planned for 2021, and new partnerships with local chefs.…

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June 25, 2020

10 Tips for Planning a Wine-Focused Trip to the Texas Hill Country

On today’s podcast, we’ll cover the latest Texas wine news including Lescalo, the new Fall Creek Vineyards wine with fewer calories. I’ll share the top 10 tips for planning a wine trip to the Texas Hill Country, focusing on the area between Johnson City and Fredericksburg along the 290 wine road. I…

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