Episodes

Jackie Mancuso, vineyard manager for Atlas Vineyard Management joins me for this episode. Jackie and her teams were responsible for a lot of the grapes that were harvested in the Hill Country this year. We talk viticulture - including differences in Texas and California (where she’s from), disease pressures, picking rootstock, irrigation philosophy, and more. But first, the Texas wine news. Texas Monthly has released the winners of this year’s Vintners Cup, the 37th annual GrapeFest has just concluded and People’s Choice winners announced, and there are a couple of new places opening around the state that you might want to check out. Thanks for joining me on this Texas wine journey! Cheers y'all.

My guests are Cheramie Law Aho and Todd Aho. In 2020, they launched Cheramie Wine, and they’ve been building the brand ever since. Cheramie and Todd discuss self funding their wine business, finding mentors, and overcoming challenges along the way. Now they're happily expanding and finding key retail placements. But first, listen for the latest Texas wine news. I’ve got a feature on Signor Vineyards's winemaker, an article about Texas wine vs. cannabis, and news of a new Texas wine brand that was recently shared on Good Morning America. Plus my reflections on Texas wine at the 18th annual TEXSOM conference. Cheers y'all!

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 across much of Texas. William Chris makes the Top 100 Vineyards in the World list for the second year in a row, and more! 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!

I made a trip out west to interview today’s guests. The Texas Davis Mountains AVA has been on my radar for quite some time, but I had never actually been there just recently. The highlight of my trip was sitting down for a long chat with Dan and Maura Sharp, the inspiring couple that’s replanting the historic Vineyard at Blue Mountain. They're on a mission to create world class wine from the highest elevation vineyard in Texas (5600' feet). In Texas wine news, I'll recap the recent VinePair articles that highlight Texas wines, share some takeaways from recent educational events I've attended, and share what two major publications are saying about Picpoul blanc. 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 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 Texas wine. After 62 episodes, finally someone wore a cowboy hat to the interview. But first, the Texas wine news. VinePair continues to share some love with Texas wine country and Texas wineries. Lubbock radio stations promote Texas wine, Cheramie Aho wins a grant for her wine work, and Amie Nemec writes an article for Texas Monthly exploring why wineries might relocate to Texas. 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!

James Tidwell is a Master Sommelier, writer, speaker and educator. James was an early adopter of Texas wines and shares tips for wineries that are seeking restaurant placement. We also talk about what varieties and wine styles have impressed him and his high hopes for the Texas wine industry.

My guest is international consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger who now works with clients in Texas. Jean was a keynote speaker at the recent Texas Hill Country Wine Symposium. In our interview, you’ll hear his enthusiasm for Texas wine and the future of the industry. In Texas wine news, I review the latest Texas wine press, recent wine competition results, and tasting room openings. Plus, an invitation from Women For WineSense national president Donna Schlosser-Long to join the organization for a May conference in Fredericksburg. 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!

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 interesting background and a lot to say about Texas wine, In Texas wine news, I’ll share some holiday wine deals, some great press for Texas wineries, and dig a bit deeper into the winners at the Houston Rodeo’s Uncorked International Wine Competition. 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!

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 about how big the Texas wine industry is, how many acres are planted, and much more. Cheers y'all!

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!

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. Listen until the end to hear a few highlights from my recent road trip to visit vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Cheers, y'all!

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, upcoming wine events, a big winery expansion, and lots more. Thanks for listening!

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, and I applaud Ricky and Katie. Lots of Texas wine news too. Is Johnson City the newer, cooler Fredericksburg? Does the High Plains do all the "dirty work" when it comes to Texas wine? Find out what people are saying. Cheers, y'all!