Texas Winemakers Episodes

Feb. 15, 2024

Mike and Kristen Nelson of Ab Astris

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 …

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Nov. 2, 2023

Kim McPherson Speaks His Mind

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 …

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Oct. 5, 2023

Messina Hof Winery Co-Founders Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo

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 …

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Aug. 10, 2023

Texas Wine Country Personalities: Amie Nemec, new co-owner of Texas W…

My guest today is Amie Nemec, the new co-owner of Texas Wine Lover. We discuss how she got her start in wine, what she’s learned along the way, and her new role with Texas Wine Lover. Plus it's harvest time …

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July 6, 2023

Talking Texas Viticulture with Evan McKibben

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 …

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May 18, 2023

Michael Barton of Hilmy Cellars

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 …

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May 4, 2023

Phil Lopez of Silver Spur Vineyard & Winery in Hico

Today you’ll hear from Phil Lopez of Silver Spur Winery in Hico. He’s a Texan who got into wine while living in California. Phil is most at home in the vineyard, and you'll love what Phil has to say about …

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April 20, 2023

Winemaker Jon Leahy of Becker Vineyards

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, …

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April 6, 2023

Dan Gatlin's Dogged Quest for Quality at Inwood Estates Winery

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 …

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March 23, 2023

Kalasi Cellars' Nikhila Narra Davis and Greg Davis

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, …

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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 …

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Dec. 1, 2022

Adrienne Ballou's Texas Wine (and Beer) Journey

You may know Adrienne Ballou from her time at a couple different Hill Country wineries, most recently Southold, or from her own label, Lightsome Wines or from Nice n Easy, the bar she co-owns in Johnson City. She's got an …

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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 …

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Oct. 6, 2022

Musings on Mason (TX) with Don Pullum

Don Pullum is a proud resident and ardent supporter of Mason, Texas. In this episode, tells me about why he chose Mason to plant a vineyard back in the 90s, and what makes it special today. There’s also BIG news …

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May 26, 2022

Establishing Alta Marfa in the Texas Davis Mountains

Today I’m pleased to share my recent conversation with Ricky Taylor of Alta Marfa in the Texas Davis Mountains. I’m excited to give some airtime to this AVA. It's so unique and filled with possibilities. Surrounded by desert! Volcanic soils! …

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