Episodes

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 continue educating the public on Texas wine. In Texas wine news, I'm announcing the wineries that are included in my top 5 Texas wines of 2022 event with the Wine & Food Foundation! Plus, more Texas wine content in podcast form, Best Little Wine & Books in Lockhart delivers on two of my favorite things, and a grower's perspective on the ongoing drought. 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!

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 before you plant a vineyard! Texas Monthly just published a major (online) story on the topic of herbicide drift. Don't miss it. Plus hear how 50 Cent made a splash at the Houston Rodeo Uncorked auction, announcing a new winemaker for Los Pinos Ranch, and news of a bankruptcy filing for the largest winery in Texas.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!

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 Texas wines and a new study that shows huge growth in Texas winery numbers.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!

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 staggering!In Texas wine news, there’s another winery for sale, new technology for ultimate extraction at Kerrville Hills Winery, and a cover story about Texas wine in Austin Monthly magazine. Stick around until the end of the podcast to hear more about picpoul blanc, a favorite Texas white wine that is getting more national attention.Cheers y'all!

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 making some of the best wines in Texas. I've also got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Harvest is here! Cheers y'all.

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 looks like a winner! And I've got a gold star for Hill & Vine, a new Hill Country restaurant that's making a huge impression in Fredericksburg. Cheers y'all!

Michael McClendon is partner and winemaker in Sage's Vintage Custom Crush Winery in Nacogdoches. He's my first guest from east Texas! Michael has a drive toward excellence and a growth mindset that is inspiring. Plus, a new report on 2020 Texas Wine Grape Varieties details some dramatic changes in Texas High Plains vineyard production. And I'm giving gold stars to winery and tasting room staff who've impressed me recently! Cheers y'all!

On episode 24, I'm sharing an interview with PR pros Denise Clarke and Matt McGinnis and author Dr. Russ Kane. They've been drinking, writing about, and promoting Texas wine for many years. Expect a fun trip down Texas wine memory lane! PLUS a summary of the lawsuit brought by 57 Texas High Plains grape growers against Bayer-Monsanto and BASF, makers of the herbicide dicamba. I'm also sharing my favorite wines from two Texas wine events I've attended lately. Cheers y'all!

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 Wine Awards. Plus, I’ve got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Whether you’re a regular listener or joining in for the first time, welcome to This Is Texas Wine.

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, I’ve got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Cheers y'all!

On this episode, you’ll get to hear from Randy Hester of CL Butaud winery. He's got an interesting history that goes from Texas to California, then back to Texas again. His new tasting room, shared with Rae Wilson's Wine for the People brands, is turning heads. There's also lots of Texas wine country travel tips and an announcement about a winery for sale. Texas weather is in the news again too. Just when we get past a record-setting April freeze event, a hailstorm hits. Will Rogers said "The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer." Ain't that the truth when it comes to our Texas grapegrowers!