Episodes

Today we’re talking about the 2022 harvest across the state of Texas. Plus, a new and improved 10-minute overview of Texas wine. Finally, news on the Texas Wine Garden wine list at the State Fair of Texas! Cheers, y'all!

Kyle Frazier is the legislative advocate for the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association (TWGGA). He joins me to discuss how TWGGA develops legislative priorities and working on behalf of its members. We discuss hot button topics from the last legislative session as well as what's to come in 2023. …

Clint Thomas is the owner of Cellar Rat Wine Tours in the Texas Hill Country. Few people get as much face time with visitors to the Hill Country as Clint. He’s got some great tips for visitors and also shares his own interesting story in winemaking. Plus there's news about recent wine competitions…

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! Launching Alta Marfa has required incredible tenacity, an…

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…

Jen Beckmann's Re:Rooted 201 is helping define the Texas wine scene in San Antonio. You may know Jen from one of the Hill Country wineries where she worked before opening her own tasting spot in downtown San Antonio’s Hemisfair Park. Now a modern urban winery is the perfect setting for her to conti…

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…

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 tim…

TexasMonthly.com recently published a major story about Dicamba damage in the Texas High Plains. In this mini podcast episode, host Shelly Wilfong interviews the story's author, Michael Hardy.

My guest today is Dr. Justin Scheiner from the Viticulture & Enology Department at Texas A&M University. We cover a lot of ground including drifting herbicides, pest management, organic grape growing, and resources available at TAMU for wine makers and grape growers. Plus, what you need to ask befo…

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 …

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 Texa…

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…

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'…

In the last episode of 2021, I'm taking a closer look at one of the most popular red grapes grown in Texas, Mourvèdre. It's one of my favorites. I’ll also share a recap of the most important Texas wine stories from 2021. Can you guess what they are? Cheers, y'all!

My guest in this episode is London-based Lawrence Francis, host of Interpreting Wine Podcast. He’s sharing great insights into how wineries can effectively communicate their stories and engage with customers. Plus, I’ll share Texas wine news including national press recognition for several Texa…

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. …

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…

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 ta…

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…

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…

Today, you’ll hear my interview with Ernie Loeffler, President and CEO of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau. So many people start exploring Texas wine with a visit to Texas wine country. Ernie's statistics on wineries and wine visitors in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County are stagg…

Rae Wilson is founder and winemaker for Wine for the People. Her brands include Dandy rose, Dandy bubbles, plus a new label called La Valentía. She also co-founded The Grower Project with Andrew Sides. Rae’s got a unique background as a sommelier and a wine educator, and I happen to think she’s mak…

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 …