Texas Wineries Episodes

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 much more. In the Texas news section, we’ve got ownership changes, new tasting rooms, travel news and spring events you won't want to miss. Cheers y'all!

My guest today is Grayson Davies, winemaker at Arche' Winery & Vineyard in St. Jo. We talk about the Red River Valley, his award-winning Chardonnay, his recent experience with harvest in Paso Robles, and more. First, I’ll share the latest Texas wine news including reports from some of the Texas wine events that have been happening this month. I share highlights from Houston Rodeo's Uncorked! wine competition, a new Texas wine article from a major wine writer, and several holiday mentions in state and national publications. Don't miss this episodes's gold stars including one requiring a road trip to a Kansas City-area winery. Cheers y'all!

Kim McPherson a Texas wine trailblazer and son of Texas wine pioneer Doc McPherson who was one of the great texas wine pioneers, growing grapes in west texas in the 1960’s when nobody else was doing it. Kim has made his own mark on the Texas wine industry, first as a winemaker at other Texas wineries, and now at his own place, McPherson Cellars. He has forged into distribution and problem solved with growers in important ways. And he's twice been named a semifinalist for best wine, beer, or spirits producer by the James Beard Foundation. Plus he’s a ton of fun. At the top of the show, there's Texas wine news including a significant Texas wine article in The Washington Post. Thanks for joining me on this Texas wine journey!

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!

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!

My guest today is Lynne Majek, CEO of Majek Vineyard & Winery outside of Schulenburg. Majek is a smaller winery in a small community, but she’s made a big impression on everyone that visits. In Texas wine news, I’ll share information about how to purchase a mixed-case of Blue Ribbon Texas wines, give the latest on new AVAs in Texas, and much more. 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!

Today you’ll hear my interview with Kyle Johnston and Tiffany Farrell of Haak Winery in Santa Fe TX. We discuss not only Haak’s rich history, but also what’s new since a new ownership team purchased Haak last year. Texas wine news includes another new consulting winemaker working in Texas, big time news coverage for the Texas Hill Country, a review of a special tasting of Texas wine, and announcing a summer Texas wine event that you won't want to miss! Cheers y'all!

Chris Hornbaker from Eden Hill Winery joins me for this episode. I’ve enjoyed getting to write about Eden Hill Winery and have enjoyed Eden Hill wines for a few years now. It was fun to sit down with Chris to get the behind the scenes stories. And as always, there is Texas wine news including fun new programming, new mentions of Texas wine in the media, a unique spot for a new tasting room, and some nice recognition for yours truly. Cheers, y'all!

My guest is Daniel Kelada, a sommelier and managing partner at Vinovium Partners. Vinovium is a unique spot along the wine road in Johnson City. And as always, there is Texas wine news including the inaugural Texas Wine Auction, wineries for sale, dates to put on your calendar, and mentions of Texas wine in national publications. 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!

Happy New Year! Winemaker Jason Centanni of Llano Estacado Winery is my guest on this episode. We take a trip through Llano Estacado Winery history, talk about Jason's winemaking philosophy, and get geeky on winemaking. Plus catch up on all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Cheers y'all!

On this episode, you’ll get to know Patrick Whitehead of Blue Ostrich Winery in St. Jo. Patrick is the first person I’ve interviewed from North Texas. He shares his thoughts about growing grapes and making wine in North Texas, his desire for a new AVA for his estate vineyard, and so much more. First, there's Texas wine news including recognition for Leah Derton of William Chris Vineyards, Texas wineries at Wild World Festival in Brooklyn, and Texas wine selections appearing in Decanter. Remembering Dr. Pat Brennan of Brennan Vineyards. 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!

Valley Mills Vineyards winemaker Joey Bagnasco joins me to discuss growing grapes in Bosque County and making wine in a beautiful three-story gravity flow winery right outside my hometown of Waco, Texas. In Texas wine industry news, there's a major award nomination for McPherson Cellars, a new tasting room for a popular Hill Country winery, national recognition for being a trendy wine region, and more. 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!