Podcast appearances and mentions of messina hof

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine or join the podcast membership at the Gold Medal, Silver Medal, or Bronze Medal Level! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine NewsCome Over OctoberCome On Over Y'allTexas Wine featured on CBS Saturday Morning SegmentCourtney Bonds for Texas Monthly: Meet Muenster, the Fredericksburg of North TexasAmy Beth Wright for Wine Enthusiast: Dark, Hardy and Mysterious, the Lenoir Grape Has a Disease-Resistant SuperpowerAdam Russell for Agrilife Today: Texas wine grape growers see uptick in Pierce's diseaseMcPherson Cellars producing private label wines for United Supermarkets - LINKBrookshire Brothers grocery chain considering a Texas producer for a private label wine available only at Brookshire - LINKTexas Wine Growers tasting event on October 6 in Marble Falls - LINK Advocate members use code in your email for a discounted rate.Texas Hill Country Wineries roadshow on October 24 in San Antonio and Passport during October- LINKTexas Wine Jam Nov 7–10 -LINKSpecialist of Texas Wine certification with Denise Clarke - LINKInterview with Dr Colleen Myles of Texas State University About Colleen - LINK Decanter article on sustainability in wine - LINK Gold Star Kelsey Kramer named Future 40 by Wine Enthusiast Special ThanksNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Messina Hof was established in 1977 by Paul Vincent and Merrill Bonarrigo, who began with one acre of vineyard in Bryan, Texas. The Bonarrigos are considered “the first family of Texas wine" and produce many varietals. Messina Hof wines are all produced from Texas grapes. Many are sourced from the high elevation Texas High Plains AVA in the northwest near Lubbock. Son Paul and daughter-in-law Karen Bonarrigo, now oversee winery operations with locations in Bryan, Fredericksburg and Grapevine.The Connected Table is broadcast live Wednesdays at 2PM ET and Music on W4CY Radio (www.w4cy.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com).The Connected Table Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine or join the podcast membership at the Gold Medal, Silver Medal, or Bronze Medal Level! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine Newsavailable grapes - Texas Hill Country Wineries listavailable grapes - TWGGA listW. Blake Gray proposes $25 Wine DayCome Over OctoberOpen Local Wine Day is November 9Matthew Kaner for Men's Health: Get Ready to Celebrate the Harvest Under the Moonlight in Texas Wine CountryLM Archer for The Drinks Business: Can you make sparkling wine in Texas?Historic Designation for Sagmor VineyardNarrative for Sagmor Vineyard's applicationInterview with Rebecca Conley of J.W. Hardin Wine CoFind J.W. Hardin Wine Co HEREGold Star Wine Dinner Series at Dai Due. Happy 10th anniversary, y'all! Special ThanksNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this EpisodeAdvertisers for this episode Texas Wine Analytics Bending Branch Winery Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine or join the podcast membership at the Gold Medal, Silver Medal, or Bronze Medal Level! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine NewsCathy Huyge for Forbes.com “Texas Wines: On Purpose”New Courses Announced at Hill Country Wine Academy LINKMay 20–21 Sage's Vintage Symposium TicketsInterview with Jen Syma and Nichole Bendele #AskForTexasWinesFollow the initiative on Instagram at @askfortexaswines or email organizers at askfortexaswines@gmail.comFind Texas Wine Lover's restaurant cards HEREGold Star Chris Brundrett named one of E&Y's Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Demerit none Special ThanksNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast:  Facebook: @texaswinepod  Instagram: @texaswinepod  Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com  Visit www.thisistexaswine.comHelp the Show:  Subscribe to the newsletter.  Donate virtual Texas wine!  Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!Looking for a custom crush partner? Bending Branch Winery offers full spectrum bin-to-bottle services, with access to many grape varieties, including those that are certified organic. The experienced winemaking team specializes in traditional and innovative winemaking techniques. Join Bending Branch and its clients in producing highly awarded wines.Texas Wine NewsTexas Wine Lover: Texas Wineries Where You Can Watch the Total Solar EclipseSouthern Living: 7 Reasons Why You Should Plan A Trip To Texas This YearWine America: The Magic of WineAdam Lee for NorthBay Biz: Sharing the Dream…Robert Joseph for Meininger's International: Why Wine Needs More Seducers and Fewer EducatorsFollow Marie Cheslik of Slik Wines: @slikwines on Instagram for more discussion about wine marketing to Gen Z, content creation, and moreApril 26 Newsom Grape Day: LINKMay 4 Bending Branch Derby Extraganza: LINKApril 20 Rootstock WineFest 2024: Sparkling Wine! Use Code shelly for 10% off TICKETSMay 5 Toast of Texas by Wine & Food Foundation: Use Code texaswinepod for $20 off TICKETSMay 4 Texas Wine Auction TicketsMay 20–21 Sage's Vintage Symposium TicketsMay 11 Texas Wine Market at Bluebonnet Tasting Room in Tomball LINKInterview with Tim Drake of Michael Ros WineryMichael Ros Winery  BioFiltro: worm powered wastewater solutionsTexas Wine Lover article on Michael Ros Winery: LINKGold Star  Paul Bonarrigo Quote in Local Profile website  “Way back in the 1980s, when you made a presentation, you needed a flak jacket,” “The good news is that people who thought Texas wine was horrible back in the '80s, they're dead. When you talk to a newly minted A&M graduate, they will say their favorite [wines] are Texas wines.”Demerit  Bob FM radio station ad :-(Special ThanksNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!  Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine NewsChanges Coming at VinoviumPaul Caputo for Forbes “Vermetino is a fresh white wine for a hotter world”OIV + TDA Conference on Pierce's DiseaseBecome an advocate member of Texas Wine Growers HEREMarch 8 International Women's Day Event at Wine For the People: TICKETSUPCOMING / ONGOING: 1. May 4 Texas Wine Auction Tickets 2. May 5 Wine & Food Foundation's Toast of Texas Event Tickets 3. May 20–21 Sage's Vintage Symposium Tickets Interview with Katy Jane Seaton of Farmhouse VineyardsFarmhouse VineyardsGold Star Award Winners from 2024 TWGGA ConferenceTV Munson Award (grape growing): Alphonse and Martha Dotson Louis F Qualia Award (pioneering spirit): Michael McClendon John E Crosby Award (lifetime achievement): Susan Auler and the late Ed Auler Bunny Becker Women in Wine Award: Roxanne Meyers Demerit None. Special ThanksNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine In the NewsMy State Fair of Texas article detailing a HUGE DEMERITRegister now for The Texas Wine School's Advanced Texas Wine Specialist CourseLINK to join Rhone RangersThe Local Palate: What the Wine Pros are Drinking This FallLana Bortolot for Forbes: Roses that Power Into FallNorth Texas Wine Country Fall Passport EventTexas Hill Country Wineries Fall Passport EventCome to France with me in 2024! Read all about it hereInterview with Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, co-founders of Messina Hof WineryBuy their memoir!Video of Paul's chat with Ron Perry, formerly of Texas A&M Gold StarsTexas Hill Country Wineries Winemaker DinnersBuy tickets for the December 3 dinner at Hill & Vine HERE COMING SOON DemeritSpecial ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine In the NewsTexas Monthly's Vintner's Cup Winners:-Bolen Vineyards 2022 Marsanne -English Newsom 2021 Dry Riesling -Invention Vineyards 2022 Vintage Riesling -William Chris 2022 Chenin Blanc, Dell Valley -Agusta Vin's 2022 Reserve Montepulciano -Becker Vineyards 2019 Barbera, Tallent Vineyard -CL Butaud 2021 Grenache, Farmhouse Vineyards -Chateau Wright 2020 Malbec “Point of Rocks” -McPherson Cellars 2021 Counoise -Messina Hof 2019 Paulo Sagrantino -Pedernales Cellars 2020 Texas High Plains Grenache -Skies Over Texas 2021 Mourvedre Honorable Mentions: Christoval Winery 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Invention Vineyards 2021 Left Bank Bordeaux Llano Estacado 2021 Artist Blend Wedding Oak Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Fly Gap Winery 2021 Tempranillo Grape Creek Vineyards 2019 The Individualist Bending Branch 2019 Tannat Duchman Family Winery 2019 Montepulciano Valley Mills Vineyards 2021 Grenache Ab Astris 2019 Zinfandel Pebble Rock 2020 Tempranillo Portree Cellars 2021 Aglianico Ron Yates 2019 Friesen Bell Springs Winery 2020 Tempranillo Lost Draw Cellars 2020 GSM Sandstone Cellars 2019 XX111 Lewis Wines 2021 Chenin Blanc Lost Draw Cellars 2022 Picpoul BlancGrapeFest People's Choice Awards: Congrats to Messina Hof, Bull Lion Ranch, Silver Dollar Winery, Kiepersol, and Juniper Cove Winery for winning top honors.Baron's Creek Opening in Dallas' Bishop Arts District. Read about it HEREPontotoc Vineyards to open Picnic Table in HyeNorth Texas Wine Country Fall Passport EventTexas Hill Country Wineries Fall Passport EventCome to France with me in 2024! Read all about it hereInterview with Jackie Mancuso of Atlas Vineyard ManagementAtlas Vineyard ManagementGold StarsDemeritSpecial ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Sponsors of this Episode Bending Branch Winery's Custom Crush Services Sommly.com Texas Wine In the NewsLana Bortolot on Forbes.com: Women in Wine: The Texan Torch CarriersSevenFifty Daily: How Viticulture Programs Drive Success for Emerging Wine RegionsWilliam Chris Wine SchoolWSET Course at Majek VineyardFinger Lakes International Wine Competition entries due May 12 enter hereToast of Texas TICKETS - Use code “Shelly” for $10 offInterview with Jon Leahy of Becker VineyardsBecker VineyardsGold Star Rootstock Wine Festival organizers and volunteers! Special ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Sponsors of this Episode Bending Branch Winery's Custom Crush Services Sommly.com Texas Wine In the NewsRae Wilson named to VinePair List of 50VinePair Red Blends article features 6 Texas winesLana Bortolot on Forbes.com Women in Wine: Focus on TexasTexas Wine History Documentary by Mark FuscoNewsom Grape Day is April 26. register hereTexas Hill Country Wineries Road Show in Austin is April 17. register hereRootstock Wine Fest TICKETS - Use code “Shelly” for 10% offToast of Texas TICKETS - Use code “Shelly” for $10 offInterview with Dan Gatlin of Inwood Estates WineryInwood Estates WineryGold Star Messina Hof's article on aging wine and library wines. Read it HERE Special ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comHelp the Show:Subscribe to the podcast in Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletter.Donate virtual Texas wine! Mentioned in this Episode:Sponsors Bending Branch Winery's Custom Crush ServicesSommly.com Texas Wine In the NewsCondé Nast Traveler: “This Once-Quiet Texas Town Is Now a Booming Wine Destination”New Zealand Herald: “US travel: The surprising wine region you might never have heard of”PR NewsWire: “Finger Lakes Winery Plants New Roots in Texas”Carl Hudson for Texas Wine Lover: “Less Recognizable Grape Varieties in Texas and Their Unfamiliar Pronunciations”Wine Enthusiast: “A Beginner's Guide to All Things Ice Wine”Rootstock Wine Fest TICKETS - Use code “Shelly” for 10% offToast of Texas TICKETS - Use code “Shelly” for $10 offInterview with James Tidwell, MSVisit www.TEXSOM.com for more information about submitting wines and past winners!Special ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!  Mentioned in this EpisodeLooking for a custom crush partner? Bending Branch Winery offers full spectrum bin-to-bottle services. The experienced winemaking team specializes in red wine production. Advanced extraction options are available to get the most out of red wine grapes. Join Bending Branch and its clients in producing highly awarded wines. Contact Dr. Bob Young by email at bob@bendingbranch.com for more information.www.BendingBranchWinery.com Nothing replaces a visit to the tasting room, but on occasions you can't swing a visit to wine country – consider bringing the winery experience to your home with Sommly! Sommly features many of the highest quality, small production wines you won't find in stores or restaurants. Wine lovers like yourself can discover, and get the very best Texas wine shipped right to your doorstep.And Texas wineries - join the direct-to-consumer digital wine movement! You can now claim, customize, and list your wines for sale on Sommly's Marketplace in minutes. With Sommly, you can grow your DTC wine sales, club memberships, and visits to your tasting room.Whether you're a wine lover or a winemaker, check it out today at sommly.com.In Texas Wine News 1. Wine Enthusiast: How Low Yields Are Spurring Texas Winemakers' Creativity 2. Adelphos Cellars Announces Tasting Room and Event Center 3. Thrillist: Where to Find the Coolest Urban Wineries in the US 4. Silicon Valley Bank's “State of the Wine Industry 2023” Full Report 5. Silicon Valley Bank Report Video Summary 6. San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Results - Texas results sorted on Texas Wine Lover 7. Rootstock Wine Fest - April 13 8. Wine & Food Foundation's Toast of Texas - April 23 9. Women for WineSense - National Meeting in Fredericksburg May 18–20 10. Download: Texas Wine Lover App! Interview John Hoefliger Texas Wine Consulting Jean Hoefliger Consulting Gold StarTo William Chris Wine Co for representing Texas in the Rhone Rangers tasting experience this month in California. Special Thanks Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app! Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here. Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!  Mentioned in this Episode The holidays are here, and it's time to deck the halls with wine! Nothing pairs better with holiday dinner parties than a bottle of award-winning Texas wine.Do you also have an uncle who is impossible to gift? Wine makes a great gift for family, friends, and customers, and Sommly has curated bundles that work for all budgets.Bring the Texas winery experience to your doorstep.Check out the “Buy Wine” section on Sommly.com to see all of the bottles and bundles that are available.In Texas Wine News 1. San Francisco International Wine Competition: Red Wine Winners 2. San Francisco International Wine Competition: White Wine Winners 3. Lost Draw Cellars' Expansion News from Summer 2022 3. Jefferson Cup Results 4. Forbes: December wines from Virginia, Texas and California 5. COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT: Texas Wine Marking Research Institute's “Licensing and Compliance in the Wine Industry” 6. COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT: Texas Hill Country Wineries and William Chris Wine Co's “Texas Wine Certification Course” 7. Download The Vind App to help plan your trip to the Texas Hill Country! Interview John Rivenburgh Kerrville Hills Winery Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Study Referenced: LINKSpecial Thanks Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here. Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Paul Bonarrigo is the CEO of Messina Hof, a family-owned business built on the three cornerstones of family, tradition, and romance. Since its founding in 1977, it has become the most award-winning winery in the Lone Star State and one of the largest producers of 100% Texas wine. Paul's passion is wine, and his goal is to provide premium quality Texas Wine, an excellent hospitality experience, and education in wine and food to anyone from the most novice to the most adept wine drinker. In this episode with Paul Bonarrigo How do you build a strong foundation for a family-owned business? By keeping the core values intact. However, old practices eventually stop working, and it becomes necessary to develop new routines to keep the business afloat. While it is crucial to establish a presence in the industry, a long-standing family business must also understand how to handle itself in connection with change. New trends and techniques arise, and as these come, you must also adapt to stay relevant and thrive. In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks welcomes Paul Bonarrigo, CEO of Messina Hof, as he talks about the challenges a family-owned business faces. Paul also talks about his military service, their success secret, and how hospitality is the core of Messina Hof.

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!  Mentioned in this Episode ‘Tis the season to Drink It All In! at the 2022 Christmas Wine Affair! November 28th through December 23rd, you can sip your way through over 35 unique Texas Hill Country Wineries, sample award-winning wines at up to four wineries per day, and receive exclusive discounts on bottle purchases! Buy your passport ticket to The Christmas Wine Affair at www.texaswinetrail.com and Head for the Hills - November 28th through December 23rd. Hey podcast listeners,The State Fair of Texas has wrapped up for the year, but the fair's curated list of sixteen award winning Blue Ribbon wines representing twelve Texas wineries are now available on Sommly! These wines were hand-selected by yours truly as a representation of the highest quality wines that Texas has to offer. For a limited time, you can support local businesses and bring the Texas winery experience to your doorstep.Delivery is set to align with Christmas, so wine lovers can share a bottle of award-winning Texas wine that pairs perfectly with holiday dinner parties or to give as gifts. Bundles are perfect for that wine-lover in your life, and with bottle counts of 3, 6, or 12, there's one for every budget.Check out the “Buy Wine” section on sommly.com to see all of the bundles that are available.In Texas Wine News 1. Halter Ranch Winery from Paso Robles is Opening a Tasting Room in Fredericksburg 2. Charitable Wines for Thanksgiving and Beyond: Messina Hof - The Museum Collection William Chris Wine Co - Wanderer Series: Relief Project Kerrville Hills Winery - Conservino Wines 3. William Chris Vineyards named to World's Best Vineyards List 4. Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day with Lewis Wines 5. December 10 is the final deadline for ordering Blue Ribbon Wine bundles or cases from Sommly.com 6. Save the date for the 1st podcast happy hour! Tuesday, November 29 at 6 p.m. Interview Glena Yates, President of Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) Special Thanks Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here. Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!  Mentioned in this Episode Hey podcast listeners,Have you ever wanted to bring the winery experience home? With Sommly, you can! Now get the very best Texas wine shipped right to your doorstep.Sommly features many of the highest quality, small production wines you won't find in retail or restaurants.Check it out for yourself - sign up, discover, and shop local today atsommly.com. San Antonio Express News: William Chris Wine Co. founders strive to grow Texas wine industry's reputationForbes: How Climate Change Is Impacting Winemakers In TexasSave the Date for the 2023 Texas Wine Auction - April 29!! Get more information hereCode to save $10 on Texas Harvest Wine Tasting at Dallas Farmers Market on Oct 28 is TXWinePodcast10 LINK to ticketsSouthern-most winery and vineyard in Texas: Bonita Flats Farm and Vineyard in Los FresnosNorthern-most winery and vineyard in Texas: Vingo Vineyard / Yoder Cellars in DalhartHighest elevation vineuard in Texas in the Texas Davis Mountains AVA: The Vineyard at Blue MountainHottest vineyard in Texas: Hell's Half Acre Vineyard in TerlinguaInterview Sergio Cuadra of Fall Creek Vineyards Gold Star GrapeFest Gold Medal Winners Special Thanks Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here. Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!  Mentioned in this Episode Hey podcast listeners,I'm excited to share that you can now support local winemakers by shopping for wine on sommly.com, where you can find over 450 Texas wineries and 80 wines available for purchase - direct from each winery!If you're a Texas winery, claim your page to add photos, team members, and additional info about your winery for free!If you're a wine lover, join me in creating a free profile at sommly.com to give your favorite Texas wineries a great review. Texas A&M AgriLife Report: Crush Report and Vineyard Production SurveyWine America StudyMeet Decanter's US TeamWine for the People is moving to central AustinJenblossom Cellars, from the owners of Heath Sparkling Wine and Grape CreekSeth Urbanek promoted to GM at Wedding Oak WineryTexas Fine Wine Talk & Tastes Oct 13 and Dec 8Another podcast meetup opportunity at the State Fair of Texas (Texas Wine Garden): October 18 at 5 PMCode to save $10 on Texas Harvest Wine Tasting at Dallas Farmers Market on Oct 28 is TXWinePodcast10 LINK to ticketsInterview Don Pullum ABC's The Taste - Don Pullum Culinaria and James Beard Foundation present Tasting Texas Food + Wine Festival in San Antonio Gold Star Silver Award Winners: Llano Estacado Winery's 2018 Syrah and 2019 “La Violette” Syrah Cheramie Wine's 2019 Riesling Andrew Chalk's article about the competitionSpecial Thanks Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here. Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Cork + Cactus on AirBnB Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com  Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!  Mentioned in this Episode Hey podcast listeners,Get ready for Texas Wine Month with the 2022 Texas Wine Month Passport! In October, this self-guided tour is your passport to tasting award-winning wines at over forty unique wineries. As a passport holder, you can visit up to four wineries per day — all at your own pace — plus, receive exclusive discounts on bottle purchases! Plan ahead and buy your tickets while they are still available at Texas wine trail dot com, and head for the hills. Texas Wine Month is from October 1st through October 31st.Buy your tickets now at www.texaswinetrail.com and head for the hills all month of October.Now it's easier than ever to support local producers, and to get the best Texas wine shipped right to your doorstep! Sommly features many of the highest quality, small production wines you won't find in retail. We all have that friend or family member who's impossible to shop for... Sommly  is your "easy button". Check it out for yourself - sign up, discover, and shop local today at sommly.com. W Blake Gray on Wine-Searcher.com “Texas Winemakers Take What They Can Get”Texas Harvest Report on Texas Wine LoverKeep up with the State Fair of Texas Big Tex Blog for articles on Texas Wine! LINKTexas Wine in 10 Minutes Resources: Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association - TWGGA Uncork Texas Wines - Texas Department of Agriculture Texas Wine Lover Website Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau Texas Wine Grape Varieties Report Vintage Texas Blog Wine Consumption by State Wine Production by State Best book on Texas wine: “Wines of The Southwest USA” by Jessica Dupuy Special Thanks Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here. Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Cork + Cactus on AirBnB Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! 

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comVoicemail: 802–585–1286Help the Show:Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine!Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!Listen and Subscribe in Apple PodcastsListen and Subscribe in Google PodcastsListen via web browserMentioned in this EpisodeTexas Hill Country Wineries invite you to “Drink it All in” at the 2022 Wine and Wildflower Journey. Right now, through April 22nd, this self-guided tour is your passport to exploring over forty wineries in Texas Hill Country. As a passport holder, you can visit up to four wineries per day over twenty-three days, plus receive exclusive discounts on bottle purchases!Buy your digital passport at www.texaswinetrail.com and head for the hills, now through April 22nd.I'm excited to announce the launch of Sommly, a direct-to-consumer marketplace for artisan Texas wine! If you're a Texas winery, claim your free winery page today. Soon you'll be able to list all of your wines and club memberships for wine lovers to purchase on Sommly.com. If you're a wine consumer like me, search for your favorite local wineries on Sommly and give them a great review. Please join me in spreading the word, and helping folks discover the Texas wine industry! And follow @sommly.wine on Instagram for the latest updates.Resources for fire relief:Texas Farm BureauBig Country Relief Fund. Southern Living's Article on College StationVideo on Esperanza WinerySan Antonio Express News: It's always wine o'clock: Texas Hill Country winery industry sees 625% growth in decadeVinepair: If You Love the Wines of Bordeaux, It's Time to Give Texas Hill Country a TryJean Hoefliger Joins Texas Wine CollectiveJean Hoefliger Talks Texas Wine in Recent Interview (video)Andrew Chalk's Review of Wines Presented by Wedding Oak, Fall Creek Vineyards and Spicewood VineyardsWaco's Rootstock: A Texas Wine FestivalVisit San Antonio and the James Beard Foundation: Tasting Texas Wine + Food FestivalJoin me at Wine & Food Foundation's Toast of Texas on June 5! Watch my social media for discount code. VIP event is only for members of WFF. More information HEREEvent for Cactus Christmas author Heather Renee May DETAILSThanks to the Texas Department of Agriculture's Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program for sponsoring this podcast! Learn more at www.uncorktexaswines.com.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!Cork + Cactus on AirBnBFind Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!Interview with Tiffany Farrell and Kyle Johnston of Haak WineryHaak WineryDemerits and Gold StarsDemerit: City of Plano for not including Texas wine in the Texas Forever Fest. Texas beer and spirits were included. Why not Texas wine?  Gold Star: Bending Branch 2014 Tannat - Newsom Vineyard was poured at the Wine Museum of Paris. O la la! Read more about it HEREThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine LoverWine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here.

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comVoicemail: 802–585–1286Help the Show:Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine!Subscribe to the newsletter to get the Texas wine crossword puzzle!Listen and Subscribe in Apple PodcastsListen and Subscribe in Google PodcastsListen via web browserMentioned in this EpisodeTexas Wine In the NewsResults from San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wine CompetitionResults from Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association Lone Star International Wine AwardsReddy Vineyards Brand Ambassador Job Posting5 Haunted Wineries Worth a Spine-Tingling VisitRivenyates Wine ReleasedTexas Fine Wine Bundle and November 11 Zoom CallNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus on Heavenly Hosts.com!Interview: Paul M and Karen Bonarrigo of Messina Hof WineryFamily, Tradition & Romance: The Messina Hof Story by Paul V. and Merrill BonarrigoMessina Hof's WebsiteFollow Messina Hof on social media:@messina_hof on Instagram@Messina Hof Winery on Facebook@messina_hof on TwitterDemerits and Gold StarsDemerit:Slight delay in publishing this summer wine guide. (But kudos for McPherson's recognition!)10 Wines Under $20 to Pair with BBQ This SummerGold Star:Cast Iron Winery's Instagram post “BUY LOCAL: Texas Wines do not get stuck on cargo ships”Shelly's Wine Education Website: www.toastwinetalk.comThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine LoverWine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here.

This week we are discussing the case of Missy Bevers. We have all seen the disturbing footage of the perpetrator wandering the halls of the Creekside church in Midlothian, TX. Missy was there to set up her 5 AM boot camp class, but instead, Missy is found in a pool of blood just before 5 AM. What happened to Missy Bevers?Huge thank you to HelpYouFind.Me for sponsoring this week's episode. Do you have a “If I go Missing” File? HelpYouFind.Me is a safe, secure way for women to share important information with their loved ones in the case of an emergency. Are you traveling or going off to college? HelpYouFind.Me is a perfect safety blanket parents can give their kiddos that are leaving the nest. Rest a little easier parents knowing your kiddo has a HelpYouFind.Me file just in case of an emergency situation. Click this link and type in the code TWTC for 15% off today! https://helpyoufind.me/go/1037/The wine for this week comes from our friends at Messina Hof. We are sipping on “Angel” a sweet riesling. This sweet wine went great with Chris's peach dessert. Angel can be enjoyed just by itself on a hot summer Texas Day. Please visit our friends at https://www.messinahof.comPlease visit our organization for the week, Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.And visit us at Texas Wine and True Crime.

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Voicemail: 802–585–1286 Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable Texas wine quiz. Answers included. Are you a Texas wine expert? Listen and Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe in Google Podcasts Listen via web browser Mentioned in this EpisodeTexas Wine In the NewsTexas vineyards looking to overcome weather, pandemic-related setbacks2021: A Collector's Item for Texas Wine DrinkersEnter wines in TWGGA's Lone Star International Wine CompetitionVisit Lubbock's Wine-Filled Weekend ItineraryJester King, one of best breweries in Texas, now making wine and ciderWine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here.Check out Heavenly Hosts for your Fredericksburg lodging needs!Interview: Rae Wilson of Wine for the PeopleFollow @wineforthepeople and @dandypink on Instagram!Demerits and Gold StarsDemerit: Central Market North Dallas for having 5x more sake (and much more prominent placement) than Texas wine!Gold Stars: Texas wineries that prioritize wine education by providing guided tastings rather than a handout with wine descriptions. Shelly's Wine Education Website:www.toastwinetalk.com Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover

Connect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Twitter: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Voicemail: 802–585–1286 Help the Show: Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable Texas wine quiz. Answers included. Are you a Texas wine expert? Listen and Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe in Google Podcasts Listen via web browser Mentioned in this EpisodeTexas Wine In the NewsWineBusiness.com: Third Time’s the Charm: Texas Legislature Passes New Wine Labeling LawNew Texas Wine Book: Family, Tradition and Romance: The Messina Hof StoryWay Out Wineries Summertime Cookoff 2021 (June 11–13 at 8 participating wineriesToast of Texas: A Celebration of Texas Wine (June 10 in Driftwood)Love by the Glass column on Bending Branch Frizzante Rosé of TannatCovington Hill Country Says Howdy in HyeWilliam Chris Wines’ New Wanderer Series Wine benefitting Feeding TexasBen Calais Hiring Harvest InternsWine & Food FoundationI’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, the IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series, and find membership options here.Check out Heavenly Hosts for your Fredericksburg lodging needs!Interview: Mike McHenry and Seth Urbanek of Wedding Oak Winery www.weddingoakwinery.com Dr. Russ Kane’s recent article on Wedding Oak Winery: Wedding Oak Winery: Seeing the Future in Red Blends and Roussanne for TexasDemerits and Gold StarsDemerit: State Legislature Missed Opportunity to Allow Liquor Sales on SundaysRead more HERE and HEREGold Star: The two wines that won Judges’ Selection medals at the 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards.Judges’ Selection for Texas Red: 2017 Spicewood Vineyards Battle of ToroDecanter: Why is Touriga Nacional a rising star?Judges’ Selection for Texas White: 2020 William Chris Vineyards Roussanne - La Pradera VineyardFull results from 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards can be found HEREShelly’s Wine Education Website:www.toastwinetalk.com Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover

April Fool's Day pranks. If you had to throw a first-pitch, could you get it over the plate? The best way to eat a chocolate bunny. Going to Google for a medical diagnosis. A visit with Alex from Messina Hof. Easter Fact. Are Brussels Sprouts tasting better these days? Things the U.S. has that other countries find weird.

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comVoicemail: Voicemail: 802–585–1286Help the Show:Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine!Subscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable Texas wine quiz. Answers included. Are you a Texas wine expert?Listen and Subscribe in Apple PodcastsListen and Subscribe in Google PodcastsListen via web browser Mentioned in this Episode Texas Wine In the News Texas Wine Labeling: The Grape CompromiseTexas Wine Growers Statement on Texas Wine Labeling4R Ranch Winery’s New Tasting Room on the Square in McKinneyBrucie Food Truck Debuts at CL Butaud / Wine for the People Tasting RoomAb Astris Chef’s Table Food & Wine Tasting. Follow Mitch and The Liquid Culture on Instgram: @the_liquid_culture10 Mile Productions Opening in BrownwoodTexas Wineries Shine in San Francisco Chronicle Wine CompeitionHouston Chronicle Article includes Reddy Vineyards “The Circle” in Listing of 10 Wines You Should Be Drinking NowForbes.com: Winter White Wines includes 2 Duchman Wines Forbes.com: Duchman and Brennan are Wines of WeekVinePair: How Texas’s Historic Weather Will Affect Its WineWineBusiness.com: Freezing Temperatures Hit ALL of Texas, Vineyard Damage May Be ExtensiveTexas Fine Wine Monthly Happy HoursNew Podcast about Viticulture in Texas: Republic of VitisWine & Food Foundation I’m so happy to be joining the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series and find membership options here. **Check out Heavenly Hosts for your Fredericksburg lodging needs! **Interview: Barbara Lecuona of Siboney Cellars Siboney Cellars Website Listen to “Siboney” by Ernesto Lecuona on Spotify! Shelly’s Wine Education Website:www.toastwinetalk.com Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson of Avondale Food & Wine to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene including the Governor's mask mandate being lifted, a new concept from the owners of Doris Metropolitan, and two new locations for La Calle Tacos. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Messina Hof's Harvest Green Winery and Kitchen is featured. In the Guest of the Week section Eric is joined by Adan Medrano, executive producer and writer of Truly Texas Mexican, The Movie. Eric and Adan discuss how he got started writing, why he decided to turn his book into and movie, some of his favorite dishes from his research for the movie, and much more!

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.com Help the Show:Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine!Subscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable Texas wine quiz. Answers included. Are you a Texas wine expert?Listen and Subscribe in Apple PodcastsListen and Subscribe in Google PodcastsListen via web browser Mentioned in this Episode Texas Wine In the News Travel & Leisure magazine: The 50 Top Places to Travel in 2021Wine Industry Advisor: Rania Zayyat is one of 2021’s Most InspiringLift Collective (formerly Wonder Women of Wine) announces Virtual ConferenceMessina Hof Unveils Augmented Reality Wine LabelsMichelle Williams for WineBusinss.com: Off-Target Herbicide Drift Threatens Vineyards Across U.S.Time to submit wines to TEXSOM International Wine AwardsRegister now for TWGGA Virtual ForumNew Wine Bottle SizesAlcohol to Go may be here to stayTexas Hill Country Wineries: Tickets on sale now for February’s Wine Lover’s CelebrationWine & Food Foundation I’m so happy to be joining the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about IMBIBE: The WFF Education Series and find membership options here. All About Tannat 13 Facts about Tannat: Tannat is one of the most tannic, robust and deeply colored wines. It has the highest polyphenols (antioxidants) of all red wines. That sounds to me like Tannat is the healthiest red wine you can drink.Tannat is native to Southwest France. There’s also a bit grown in Italy. Tannat is widely grown in Uruguay. In fact, it’s the signature grape of Uruguay. Tannat from Uruguay is often more lush, with more elegant tannins than those from France.In the USA, you can also find Tannat in California (especially Lodi and Paso Robles), in Virginia and several other states.Tannat was recognized in the US as a wine grape for varietal bottling for the first time in 2002. Tablas Creek winery petitioned the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to recognize tannat as an approved wine grape. Tablas Creek uses it as both a blending grape and as a single varietal bottling.In the vineyard, Tannat is said to be one of the easiest varieties to grow. The berries have thick skins which makes it somewhat disease resistant. The biggest challenge is that the stems are thick and cling to the berries tightly which makes de-stemming difficult.In Uruguay, Tannat is commonly paired with their popular local asados, wood fired BBQs using high quality beef. Other high fat dishes are also good matches.Common flavors in tannat are various black fruits like black currant and black cherry, chocolate, espresso, and smoke.Tannat can benefit from age, so don’t be afraid to lay it down for awhile. Wine Folly says the drinking window is from 5–25 years.Texas producers that have recently won medals for Tannat include Ab Astris, Augusta Vin, Rustic Spur, Bending Branch, Cicada Cellars, Longhorn Cellars, and of course Kerrville Hills Winery.In addition to making dry red wines, Tannat can be used to produce rosé and even sparkling rose. One of my favorites is a sparkling rose of Tannat by Bending Branch.Tannat can even be part of a blend. Cicada Cellars has won awards with its blend of 50% Tannat and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. This is common in France. Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with Tannat to open it up some and make it more approachable.In Texas, Tannat grows in the Texas High Plains and in the Texas Hill Country. Texas Wine Lover website lists 37 different vineyards that include Tannat plantings. If you’ve stood in the William Chris Vineyards tasting room, you’ve probably seen Tannat from their Hye Estate growing right in front of you.The last report on Texas vineyards (2019) reported that Tannat is the #10 red grape in terms of planted acreage. There are about 120 bearing acres of Tannat across the state, and production off those acres was about 350 tons. Tannat is showing significant growth in the state. Between 2015 and 2019, about 92 acres of new Tannat started bearing fruit.Sources: Wine Folly Magnum Edition, Karen MacNeil’s The Wine Bible, Tablas Creek Website, winery websites, 2019 USDA Texas Wine Grape Varieties. Interview with John Rivenburgh John is owner and winemaker at Kerrville Hills Winery and president of Texas Hill Country Wineries. Shelly’s Wine Education Website:www.toastwinetalk.com Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover

Episode Summary:Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comHelp the Show:Buy Shelly a Glass of Wine!Subscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable Texas wine quiz. Answers included. Are you a Texas wine expert?Listen and Subscribe in Apple PodcastsListen and Subscribe in Google PodcastsListen via web browserMentioned in this EpisodeTexas Wine In the NewsPatrick Whitehead Named Wine Industry Leader of 2020 by Wine Business MonthlyKalasi Cellars Press from Dallas Morning News “Texas Grape Growers wiwth Dallas Roots Open Fredericksburg Winery”Slate Mill Wine Collective and Couple in the Kitchen Charity WinesMichael McClendon Named Rising Black Voice in Wine by Wine & Spirits MagazineForbes.com article by Michelle Williams “Around the World with Texas White Wine”State Fair of Texas Blue Ribbon Wine Selections / Link to purchaseShelly’s Texas Wine Lover article “The State Fair of Texas Offers a Case of Blue Ribbon Texas Wine: Order Now and Create a DIY Wine Garden at Home”Sorry, the “Mourvedre on the Move” article requires a subscription to Wine Enthusiast.October is Texas Wine Month!History:Austin Chronicle 10/2006 “Taking A Look at Texas Wine Month”Austin Chronicle 10/1999“Uncorking Texas” High Plains Journal 2002 “October is Texas Wine Month”Fun Things to Do This Month:1. Texas Hill Country Wineries Passport Event in the Hill Country2. North Texas Wine Country October Wine Trail Event3. October 21: A Toast to Texas Pecans: A Virtual Texas Pecan and Wine Tasting4. Wine on the Dime’s YouTube Playlist of Texas Winery Visits5. Franklin Vines mentioned Cellar Rat Tours6. October 15: Wine & Food Foundation of Texas Event with Denise Clarke: Celebrate Texas Wine Month, Y’all!7. Borat 2 movie trailer with cameo appearance by Sid Miller8. October 28 & 29: Lone Star International Wine Competition Viewing9. October 14 & 21: State Fair Blue Ribbon Virtual Tastings. Sign up at bottom of this webpage10. October 17: Heroic Hye Wine Hunt11. Multiple dates: Spooky Cellar Tours at Messina Hof in Bryan12. October 30: Date Night Murder Mystery Dinner at Rising Sun Vineyard in McDade13. October 31: Fall Feast Vintner’s Dinner @ Pedernales Cellars14. October 31: Young Frankenstein Movie Screening at Torr Na Lochs in Burnet15. William Chris Vineyards Artist Blend Call for Submissions16. Ongoing: Wine Dinners & Tastings at Bryan’s on 290 in Johnson City17. Multiple dates: Jessica Dupuy’s Instagram Live talks to celebrate her new book “The Wines of Southwest USA”17. Don’t forget the hashtag #TexasWineMonth!!What I’m Drinking2019 Cheramie Wine RieslingFollow Cheramie on Instagram: @cheramiewineand Facebook: Cheramie WineFind out more about where Riesling ranks among Texas white wines in this article I wrote for Texas Wine Lover.Shelly’s Wine Education Website:www.toastwinetalk.comThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help. For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover!

Things you learn while listening to The Infomaniacs. A&W. How long is the average wedding engagement? Messina Hof update. The highest paid celebrities. City of College Station update. Entertainment news.

Things you learn while listening to The Infomaniacs. A&W. How long is the average wedding engagement? Messina Hof update. The highest paid celebrities. City of College Station update. Entertainment news.

In this week's episode of Blood & Wine, Brittany and Tyler explore cases of murder involving rideshares that took a horrific and gut-wrenching turn: The Murder of Samantha Josephson and The Murder of Kristina Howato. Featured Wines: The 2017 Messina Hof, Cabernet Franc Barrel Cuvée from the Texas High Plains and The 2019 San Huberto Cabernet Sauvignon from La Rioja, Argentina

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comHelp the Show:Listen and Subscribe in Apple PodcastsListen and Subscribe in Google PodcastsListen via web browserSubscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable guide to my top 10 Texas wine experiences during quarantine.Mentioned in this EpisodeTexas Wine In the NewsKerrville Hills Harvest Investor Opportunity For more information call 830.895.4233 or email info@khwco-op.com.Contact: John Rivenburgh"2020 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition – Texas Results""Raise your glass to these 10 Dallas restaurants pouring fine wine"Pyramid Room Dallas Wine List with Texas Wine Education"UH football legend Case Keenum buys into local winery"Texas Wine Women Share the Mic to Amplify the Voices of Black Business Women Throughout TexasHarvest Update from Texas Fine WineTexas Wine in Grapevine, TexasI mentioned on the last episode that coronavirus has forced the cancellation of the 34th annual Grapefest, the largest wine festival in the Southwest. It was scheduled to take place along the historic Main Street in Grapevine September 17-20th. 45 Texas wineries would have been on hand for the festival that attracts more than 260,000 visitors. You can just imagine the economic impact that this cancellation has on the businesses that usually participate.Although I just live about 20 miles away to Grapevine, I go wine tasting in the Texas Hill Country more frequently than I go to Grapevine. I suspect I’m not the only one.I thought the cancellation of GrapeFest was a good reason to take a fresh look the Texas wine culture in Grapevine. After all, Grapevine’s Convention and Visitors Bureau says Grapevine has been a hub for wineries and wine culture for 25 years.I found some bright spots that I’m excited to share with you. And I’ve got a feeling Grapevine might be a place to watch in the years to come.Although its population is only 54,000 residents, Grapevine lives like a bigger city. Grapevine’s proximity to DFW airport, 21 hotels and 11,000 hotels rooms makes Grapevine a popular spot for conventions. Tourism is huge here. There are plenty of activities for families including Nash Farm, SEA LIFE Grapevine, and Great Wolf Lodge.There’s a lot of development on the horizon for Grapevine. This summer, a huge public-private partnership will be completed downtown. It includes a commuter rail line that will connect to DFW airport and downtown Fort Worth. On September 3, the Hotel Vin will open its doors. That’s a 120-bed boutique hotel that’s part of the Marriott family. It will brings with it new dining options including a signature fine dining restaurant and a food hall that features 7 kitchens and 2 bars.Hotel VinSo big things are happening in Grapevine, but where does the Texas wine fit in? Do they even grow grapes in Grapevine? Surely with a name like Grapevine, there’s wine to be had! Well indeed there is!The town got its name from the wild mustang grapes that grew rampant in the area. Now the main vineyard of note is the 10-acre vineyard owned by Delaney Vineyards. It was planted in 1993 to Cynthiana grapes, otherwise known as Norton, the hybrid variety that’s the cornerstone of the Missouri wine industry. I visited last week, and I’ll tell you more about that shortly.Did you know that Grapevine is the home of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association?“The city of Grapevine and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau have always been extremely supportive of the Texas wine industry AND the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association.There are several times throughout the year in which they fundraise for us and support the industry with non-monetary resources.Grapefest is the largest purchaser and reseller of Texas wine! There are some synergies that occur because our office is in the same market as that event.” - TWGGA Executive Director Dacota HaselwoodTexas Wine & Grape Growers AssociationWhile you're on the TWGGA website, submit your wines for entry in the Lone Star International Wine Competition. It will take place in late October in Grapevine.Today I’m going to give you a couple of your best bests for visiting Grapevine. Attending a festival may be what has brought you to Grapevine before, but Grapevine also has winery tasting rooms, restaurants with Texas wines on the lists, and a wine shop a solid Texas wine selection. I’ll touch on your best bests in each of these categories and comment on where Grapevine gets it right and how Grapevine can improve to convert even more Texas wine lovers.Grapevine is all about wine festivals. GrapeFest is the largest, but it’s just one of many. In fact, there’s another big wine festival coming up in October. It is currently still on the calendar. It’s the 28th annual New Vintage Wine & Gallery Trail & Blessing of the Vines. It was originally in April and has been pushed back.Find out more here: New Vintage Wine & Gallery TrailTasting Rooms:FACT: The first winery tasting room to open up in Grapevine was La Buena Vida Vineyards in 1995. Delaney Vineyards followed in 1996.Once you’re able to visit tasting rooms again, you’ll be happy to know that my top two recommendations in Grapevine are both on Main Street. While you’re downtown, be sure to check out the bronze grapevine sculptures outside the Convention and Visitors Bureau. This public art display shows the life cycle of a grapevine and was purchased with donations secured by the Grapevine Wine Pouring Society.My first tasting room recommendation is Bingham Family Vineyards. Bingham is first and foremost a farming family. They’re a multi-generational family that’s all about 100% Texas grown and produced estate wines from the Texas High Plains. They’ve got a tasting room in Fredericksburg and one in Meadow in addition to the one in Grapevine. You won’t find their wines in distribution because they barely make enough wine to keep their own wine club satisfied. If you want Bingham made wines, get them through the tasting rooms or online.The Binghams own or manage around 250 acres of grapes in the Texas High Plains, and they’ve been growing grapes since 2003. They also grow grapes for over 20 other Texas wineries. In addition to grapes, the Binghams grow around 2000 acres of other organic crops including cotton and peanuts. The fact that they’re an estate winery is pretty unique among Texas wineries. They decided to start making some of their own wines in 2014 and opened the Grapevine tasting room in 2015. Production is approximately 5000 cases.If you live within 10 miles of the tasting room, they’ll deliver your order and waive the $10 fee if you spend over $50.Betty Bingham keeps an active blog with great recipes, wine pairings, and updates from the farm. I found an entry from back in May that gives the Bingham family’s impressions on the 2020 harvest. Betty writes, “It doesn’t look good for the 2020 grape crop at Bingham Family Vineyards. We are estimating 170 tons rather than our original expectation of 900 tons.” She has photos of several different varieties and how they fared. She writes, “they show that we are concerned not only this year’s crop, but also for the vines themselves. We will be spending extra time training many of the vines to prepare for fruit next year or in some blocks for fruit two years from now. On the whole it appears that the older the vines, the less fruit. The younger vines, except for some of those just planted last year, are actually faring better.”Bingham Family VineyardNext, just down the street you’ll find Messina Hof - Grapevine. This is one of Messina Hof’s three locations. The others are in Bryan/College Station and Fredericksburg. The fourth location is under development in the greater Houston area.Messina Hof was the 4th winery established in TX (1977) by the Bonarrigio family. It’s is a large Texas winery with about 84,000 cases produced. You’ll find the wines in wide distribution. They’ve got over 70 wines in distribution to 40 states. They work with over 20 growers statewide to produce their Texas wines.Messina Hof Opened the Grapevine location in 2014 in the old Wallis Hotel which was built in 1891. At Messina Hof - Grapevine you’ll find multiple tasting areas, and many, many styles of wine. In fact, Messina Hof makes wines from over 25 grape varieties. There’s something for everyone here: wine on tap, wine in cans, wines by the glass, shopping, premium flights of wines that are only available at this location and more. They host lots of events too. If you’re looking for something special for a group or special event, there’s an opportunity for a private seated tasting that food.Messina Hof - GrapevineUmbra sells Texas wine and in fact grows grapes at the sister property in Springtown. The Grapevine tasting room has made some changes to better meet the demands of current business environment. Right now Umbra is focused on a lot of gourmet food items, gift baskets, wine glasses and prepared food to go. There’s not as much seating for tastings as there used to be.If you stop in, be sure to check out the Estrella de Vida, named for the late Dr Bobby Smith, the previous owner of La Buena Vida Vineyards, The owners of Umbra bought La Buena Vida from Dr. Smith, and he was their mentor until his death earlier this year. The wine is a Texas orange muscat, and it has a photo of Dr. Bobby on the label. The back label pays tribute to their mentor and friend and invites us to join in celebrating his life with the commemorative wine.NOTE: Just after this recording was complete, Umbra Winery announced the consolidation of its operations to its vineyard in Springtown. The Umbra tasting room in Grapevine is closing.Umbra WineryCross Timbers Winery is about half a mile off Main Street. It has a lovely outdoor patio space where you’ll often find live music. A two-story barn can be rented for parties. They only make a few hundred cases of wine, just enough to use for events at the barn and to pour in the tasting room and at the various events that happen throughout the year in Grapevine. They don’t ship wine or operate a wine club. Kim McPherson makes the wine.Grapevine’s sister city is Parras de la Fuente, Mexico. That’s the site of Casa Madero, the oldest winery in the Americans. The late founder of Cross Timbers was friends with the folks at Casa Madero. That’s why you can taste 4 Casa Madero wines at Cross Timbers. If you go, plan to sit outside on a nice day when there’s live music. I haven’t tasted the wine, but the outdoor space could definitely be fun.Cross Timbers WineryJerry Delaney owns the 10 acre vineyard and winery in Grapevine, and also a 115 acre vineyard in Lamesa which is in the Texas High Plains AVA. The winery in Grapevine is an 8,000 square foot French chateau inspired building. It was completed in 1996, and the first bottling production was in the summer of 1997. The vineyard of Norton grapes was planted in 1993.Delaney calls the wine produced from the Grapevine vineyard Cynthiana which is a synonym for Norton according to UC Davis Grape Registry. Norton is a hybrid variety, and it’s also the cornerstone of the Missouri wine industry. Grapevine is outside of any of the 8 AVAs in Texas, so this wine is just labeled Texas. The Texoma AVA starts well north of Grapevine.Delaney VineyardsRestaurants:When you’re ready for a meal, perhaps you want to try a nearby restaurant where you can try other Texas wines.Sloan & Williams is a winery but also has a large tapas menu. Stop in there for lunch and the Texas tasting. They’ve got 5 Texas wines that they bottle under their own Sloan and Williams label from grapes grown on the Texas High Plains. Try the Texas wine flight!Sloan & Williams WineryIf you’re craving seafood, Big Fish Seafood Grill & Bar has several Texas wines on the menu both by the bottle and by the glass.Big Fish Seafood Grill & BarThe couple that owns Main Street Bakery, Chez Fabien, and the newer Piaf Kitchen and Wine Bar have done a good job at putting Texas wines on those wines lists. The Mediterranean themed Piaf has the most Texas wines of any restaurants in Grapevine according to my research. If you know of others that have more, please let me know! Piaf has 4 Texas wines by the glass and 6 by the bottles. They’re from the Texas wine producers that you’d expect to see: Messina Hof, McPherson, and Duchman. Piaf has a good looking upstairs patio and a wine room for private events.Piaf KitchenThe new Hotel Vin will also bring a new fine dining option to Grapevine. It’s called Bacchus Kitchen and Bar. Of course Bacchus is the Roman God of wine. The big question is, will they have Texas wine on their list? The website talks more about handcrafted cocktails and craft beer, but I’m still hopeful. I hope they’ll take a page from the Pyramid Room playbook and have not just a nice selection of Texas wines, but dedicate a little space to some Texas wine education too. I bet a lot of out of town business travelers who will likely dine here don’t even know Texas grows grapes but would be interested in trying Texas wine.Hotel Vin's Bacchus KitchenWine Shop:There’s an independent Wine shop on Main Street that’s worth a mention too. Off the Vine has been around for 27 years and has featured Texas wines with in store tastings. Owner Holly Donnelly has definitely seen a lot of changes in the Texas wine industry in her long tenure on Main Street. She currently features wines from Lost Draw, Reddy Vineyards, Kuhlman Cellars and several other top Texas producers. Pick up something from there and head to one of Grapevine’s BYOB spots. The one I’ve visited and loved is Café Italia. Holly also suggests Amore’s or Mason & Dixie.Off the VineThings to Do:A lot of the things to do in Grapevine center around wine. One is the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. The railroad runs several special events each year that are adults only and focus on wine. There are Jazz Wine Trains, Halloween Wine Trains and more. The Grapevine tasting rooms supply the wine. Members of the Grapevine Wine Pouring Society pour the wine. This society meets regularly for wine education and fellowship. They’re wine ambassadors for the town of Grapevine and some of the friendliest folks you will meet. I enjoyed being a guest at their meeting in 2017 when I wrote an article about the wine pouring society for Texas Wine Lover website.My article on the Grapevine Wine Pouring Society for Texas Wine LoverPassengers on the wine trains travel on authentic 1920's-era Victorian train coaches along the historic Cotton Belt Route. I haven’t been on a wine train ride myself, so I don’t have a personal recommendation.Grapevine Vintage RailroadAnother option Grapevine offers is a guided winery tours. Contact Grapevine Wine Tours for an outing that also includes lunch or dinner. If you want to make sure you get nothing but Texas wine, schedule a private tour for your party. The regularly scheduled tours may also include stops at a couple of the wineries I’ve mentioned, but the private tours will also include Bingham and Off the Vine which are not on the public tours.Grapevine Wine ToursThe 8 wineries on the Urban Winery trail are part of many holiday events throughout the year. Tickets always go quickly! Grapevine is also known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, so that’s a fun time to go wine tasting, shopping and dining around the historic main street.Some of the wrap around events planned for GrapeFest are still happening. The tennis classic and the Texas Wine Tribute, a black-tie event that recognizes leaders in Texas wine, are still on the calendar, at least for now. Check the website for more details.GrapeFest 2020In Summary:So, yes, there is good Texas wine in Grapevine, you just need to know where to find it. The Texas wine culture isn’t as prevalent in Grapevine as it should be. Considering the number of visitors that come to Grapevine, both from in-state, from other states, and from around the world, showcasing Texas wine should be a priority here.I would love to see more wineries on Main Street, and I wish they all sold Texas wine. I wish every Grapevine restaurant had a section of its wine list dedicated to Texas wine, and I wish there was more variety in the wines on wine lists.Grapevine has the perfect infrastructure for creating more Texas wine lovers, and the city has already done so much for the industry.A huge thank you to those Texas wineries, restaurants, wine shops, TWGGA, and other businesses that support Texas wine in Grapevine. I support you and encourage all my listeners to get to Grapevine to check out the new developments, dine in the new restaurants, and buy some Texas wine! When Texas tasting rooms reopen, don’t forget about the ones in Grapevine. Cheers!What I'm Drinking2018 Bingham Family Vineyards Cloudburst

It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Cockroach milk. Cereal sand. Kiersten Cooper with Messina Hof. Jay Socol & Tanya Smith with the City of College Station. Man wins $4 million from scratch off...twice. Real estate gent caught living in house he's trying to sell.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Cockroach milk. Cereal sand. Kiersten Cooper with Messina Hof. Jay Socol & Tanya Smith with the City of College Station. Man wins $4 million from scratch off...twice. Real estate gent caught living in house he's trying to sell.

Connect with the Podcast:Facebook: @texaswinepodInstagram: @texaswinepodTwitter: @texaswinepodEmail: texaswinepod@gmail.comHelp the Show:Subscribe to the podcast in Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletter to get the downloadable guide to my top 10 Texas wine experiences during quarantine.Mentioned in this EpisodeTexas Wine In the NewsFall Creek Vineyards Lescalo Chenin BlancMessina Hof is Hiring for the New Harvest Green (Greater Houston area)Texas Hill Country Wineries’ Wine Journey Passport Event is July 31 - August 16Top 10 Tips for Planning a Wine-Focused Trip to the Texas Hill CountryTip 10. Consider lodging location carefully. There are so many options that it’s hard to narrow down your choices. How far away are wineries? Restaurants? What’s your style? Country and rustic or modern and bohemian? There’s something for everyone, and every price point too.Here are some recommendations listed from west (Fredericksburg) to east (Johnson City):* Cotton Gin Village* Modern Guest Houses: Ololo* Hoffman Haus Luxury B&B* Tipsy Peach Barn* Messina Hof’s Country Cottages* Historic Stonewall Motor Lodge* French Connection Maisonnettes (Hye)* Carter Creek Winery, Resort & Spa* Farmhouse Vineyards’ Guest Cottage (Johnson City)Tip 9. Which wineries should you visit? How much time do you have?Make sure you see both large and small production wineries. Schedule some quick tasting visits and some more extensive tours or tastings. You’ll definitely want to find a winery or two that has a great view. An in-town tasting room can offer lots of things, but there’s nothing like enjoying your tasting while looking out over the wide-open Hill Country landscape.Here are some suggestions:For an upscale tasting with a nice view, check out the new William Chris Vineyards tasting room. On weekends, this new space is for wine club members only. William Chris is one of the biggest producers of Mourvedre in the nation, so you’re sure to hear a lot about how this grape grows so well in Texas.4.0 Cellars is a joint effort between Brennan Vineyards (Comanche), Lost Oak Winery (Burleson) and McPherson Cellars (Lubbock). You’ll have an opportunity to try wines from each of these wineries. They’ve also got a special Texas wine and Texas cheese class.Just a couple miles south of Fredericksburg is the newest collaborative space in town, Slate Mill Wine Collective. It used to be a family operated winery called 1851 Vineyards and is now a custom crush facility that’s shared by 10 wine brands. There’s also a 35-acre estate vineyard there. Brands you can taste there include Tatum, Dandy, CL Butaud, and Farmhouse.In Fredericksburg proper, one of your best bets on the weekends is the Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten on Main Street. You’ll swear you’re in Austria by the looks of the stone walled courtyard. Pontotoc has an estate vineyard in nearby Pontonoc which is in Mason County. They’re dedicated to using all Texas grapes.Another great stop is Perspective Cellars. This is a truly educational venue and a great way to learn about Texas wine! They’ll pour you a flight of three wines: one from Texas, one from the Old World, and one from the New World. Then you’ll get to learn about how they’re made, the terroir, and more. They also sell wine and do all sorts of events. Looks so fun!Personally, I favor wineries that are making wines from Texas grapes. After all, I’m there to taste Texas wines. It’s not always easy to tell at first glance which wineries meet that criteria though, so you’ve got to do some research ahead of time. One way to guarantee you’re visiting a winery with a 100% Texas grapes track-record is if they’re a member of an organization called Texas Wine Growers. But not all the wineries that are 100% Texas are members of this organization.Tip 8. Be open to some new varieties and some new winemaking styles. Don’t be surprised if some of the wines you try aren’t the usual favorites that you usually drink. Although Texas’ top red grapes include Cabernet and Merlot, the other grapes may be less familiar. It’s fine to tell the person pouring for you that you’re new to Texas wine and unfamiliar with the variety. They’ll be thrilled to tell you about the grape and how it may be similar or different to what you’ve had before. Check out this article I wrote for Texas Wine Lover website to see what’s growing out in Texas vineyards.Many wineries along 290 will showcase Tempranillo, but for some of the finest, check out Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall. Tempranillo is really the backbone of what they do in the red wine program, and this year Pedernales even has a pet-nât from Tempranillo.If you’re into natural wine, or are curious about a low-interventional style of winemaking, you’ve got to try Crowson Wines in Johnson City and Southold Farm & Cellar, mid-way between Johnson City and Fredericksburg.If Rhone varieties are your thing, check out French Connection Wines in Hye. You may already know Benjamin Calais’s other project, Calais Wines. His new effort with partner Sheri Pattillo showcases Rhone varieties including a Picpoul Blanc, a lovely Marsanne/Rousanne/Viognier blend, and rosé, among others.Tip 7. Schedule your day, and don’t overpack your itinerary. Saturdays and Sundays are very busy, and you don’t want to show up without reservations and expect a full tasting. Also, some wineries aren’t open Monday – Wednesday.If it’s been awhile since you’ve been wine tasting, you may be surprised that wine tasting isn’t free anymore. Expect to pay $15 or $20 per person. This may be refunded if you buy a couple of bottles. Also, while some wineries are child and dog friendly, not all are. I can’t stress enough how important it is to plan ahead so that you’re not disappointed.Evenings are often slow, but it can be a good time to schedule a nice dinner or find some live music. The Convention & Visitor Bureau has a printed guide or check their website.Tip 6. Variety is the spice of life! Keep your palate fresh by mixing in some other types of fun.Ideas:(Seasonal) Emergence of 3 million Mexican-free tailed bats at the Old Tunnel State ParkDon’t miss the burgers at nearby Alamo Springs CafeFredericksburg Shopping along Main StreetFabulous eclectic homegoods at Blackchalk Home & LaundrySpecialty kitchen store: Der Kuchen LadenFloral workshop at Windmill Meadow FarmTip 5. Getting around requires a car, preferably one that you don’t drive yourself. At a minimum, designate a driver. Here’s a list of tour companies that will drive you according to your itinerary or theirs.Tip 4. Restaurants are plentiful - except along the stretch between Johnson City and Fredericksburg! My favorite stop between the two is Hye Market, a casual spot to eat or pick up picnic fixins. LBJ State Park is close by. Stout’s Trattoria at Grape Creek Vineyards is another good option for a sit down meal.Cabernet Grill’s all-Texas wine list can’t be beat! Dinner is scrumptious too.Otto’s is the best-rated German influenced restaurant in town. Stroll down a few doors to Le Bergerie, a cute retail shop and wine bar.Culinary options abound. How about a cooking class at Das Peach Haus? A private class on German cuisine, perhaps? There’s wine tasting and plenty of samples of Fischer & Wieser products too.Tip 3. Check the local events calendar for festivals, winery events, farmers markets, live music, and more.Start by looking on the Convention and Visitor Bureau website and then look on specific winery websites and Facebook.Tip 2. Consider wine club memberships. Even if you can’t visit the region regularly, becoming a wine club member can give you serious discounts and access to wines that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to buy. It’s common for wine club members to get discounts of up to 25%. If you are able to visit the winery more frequently, you can expect invitations to pickup parties or winemaker dinners, free tastings at the winery and more.Tip 1. Have fun and expect to be delighted. The people working in the Texas wine industry are really good at their job. They’re going to work hard to help you find a wine you love. They’ll provide you with as much information about Texas wine as you want. You’re likely to be sitting across from someone with a really interesting story. Don’t miss the opportunity to find out what got them interested in Texas wine.I hope you have a great trip! Please reach out with your trip planning questions or feedback on your favorite places.If you’re looking for the closest winery to you home or vacation destination, check out the Texas wineries map on the Texas Wine Lover website.EducationWine Serving TemperatureWine Serving Temperature Graphic* I keep my main wine refrigerator set at 55. That’s the perfect serving temperature for a light red and a heavier-bodied white. I often drink rosé at this temperature too.* For a lighter white (or sometimes rosé), I put the wine into an ice bucket or into my kitchen refrigerator for a little while to chill it further.* For a fuller-bodied red, I will keep the wine out at room temperature for a short time to allow it to warm up a bit. I may also decant it during this time.* For sparking wine, I transfer it to an ice bucket and serve it quite cold.* A too-cold serving temperature will mask a wine’s aromatics.* A wine served too warm may feel “hot” and burn the nose or throat.* The proper serving temperature helps a wine show its best qualities!What I’m DrinkingLost Draw Cellars 2018 Counoise from Farmhouse Vineyards

Bryan Broadcasting Cares for Kids Radiothon - presented by FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies - benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. One Walmart is locking up their socks and underwear. Faster internet speeds in the world. The history of Jersey. Messina Hof update. Today in Texas History. Modern parenting. Cooking with Steve. City of College Station update. Women are less scared of bugs than men. A visit with Area Man.

Bryan Broadcasting Cares for Kids Radiothon - presented by FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies - benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities. One Walmart is locking up their socks and underwear. Faster internet speeds in the world. The history of Jersey. Messina Hof update. Today in Texas History. Modern parenting. Cooking with Steve. City of College Station update. Women are less scared of bugs than men. A visit with Area Man.

In this episode I get to chat with Jason Hisaw, Advanced Sommelier and Texas Wine Ambassador for RNDC. We go deeply into his journey from Chicago to Las Vegas to Santa Barbara to Kansas City and finally in Dallas, Texas. We discuss how you become a Master Sommelier(so interesting and so daunting) and how he carved his niche in the world of Texas barbecue. We try two wines and discuss all of the Texas wines RNDC offers. It's a love letter to Texas, wine, and barbecue. You're going to love it. Follow Jason on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jrhisaw Check out Jason on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/jrhisaw See RNDC here: https://www.rndc-usa.com Here are the wines discussed: Fall Creek Vineyards: https://fcv.com/ McPherson Cellars: https://www.mcphersoncellars.com Duchman Family Winery: https://www.duchmanwinery.com/ Messina Hof: http://www.messinahof.com/ Rancho Loma Vineyards: https://www.rlv.wine/ Llano Estacado: https://llanowine.com/ Brennan Vineyards: https://www.brennanvineyards.com/ Becker Vineyards: https://www.beckervineyards.com/ Kevin's BBQ Joints Podcast & YouTube Sponsored by: AJ's Custom Cookers: https://www.ajscustomcookers.com Phone: 817-714-4495 AJ's on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajscustomcookers AJ's on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJsCustomCookers AND Treaty Oak Distilling: https://www.treatyoakdistilling.com/whiskey See Treaty Oak Distilling on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treatyoak Treaty Oak Distilling is on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/TreatyOak

Google's most searched questions of 2019. Squirrel starts Washington DC fire. A visit with Savannah Gaines at Messina Hof. Top food stories of 2019. A visit with Jay Socol and Patrick McIntyre with the City of College Station. Thieves can't figure out how to drive a stolen car. Santa speedo run. Cat whisperers with Big Daddy Downs.

Google's most searched questions of 2019. Squirrel starts Washington DC fire. A visit with Savannah Gaines at Messina Hof. Top food stories of 2019. A visit with Jay Socol and Patrick McIntyre with the City of College Station. Thieves can't figure out how to drive a stolen car. Santa speedo run. Cat whisperers with Big Daddy Downs.

UTSA fight song. Chick-fil-A offered a sandwich deal... on a Sunday. Alex Trebek's Dracula impersonations. Woman who thinks she's a vampire bites ear off of another woman. Is this McDonald's? TV tonight. Updates with Messina Hof and the City of College Station. Parenting. World Series stuff. A visit with Area Man.

UTSA fight song. Chick-fil-A offered a sandwich deal... on a Sunday. Alex Trebek's Dracula impersonations. Woman who thinks she's a vampire bites ear off of another woman. Is this McDonald's? TV tonight. Updates with Messina Hof and the City of College Station. Parenting. World Series stuff. A visit with Area Man.

Lose weight by shortening your eating window. Terrifying video of raw chicken jumping off a plate. An update with Messina Hof. The dumbest way people have gotten injured. A special edition of Today in Texas History. An update with Jay Socol and Bryan Woods from the City of College Station. Retweet Regret. When are you most productive? Amazon cake. Unicorn morsels. New Tyson Chicken Chips.

What color are your tires? Crayola Experience. Updates with Messina Hof, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and the City of College Station. Arby's is introducing the Marrot. The age of cars on the road is at a record high.

A visit with Messina Hof. You should lick the roses too. The dark meaning behind the word "trophy". Updates with State Representatives Kyle Kacal and John Raney, and the City of College Station. Netflix News.

In this mini episode, Jake reviews another TX wine he found at Kroger. Last Bottle Wines: https://lastbottlewines.com/invite/tastinganarchy The Wine: Messina Hof Cabernet Franc 2016 Article Discussed: Review of Messina Hof Cabernet Franc 2014 - Jeremy Wilson

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Felice Sloan of Urban Swank to discuss the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. Eric and Felice discuss  Messina Hof's big plans for Houston, Goodnight Hospitality adds master sommelier June Rodil to it's roster, the opening of The Rice Box, the latest sushi trend hitting Houston, and more! In the Restaurants of the Week, Corky's BBQ, Pepper Twins, and Milano Bar are featured.  In the Guest of the Week portion of the podcast Eric is joined by Alex Padilla and Jason Gould of The Original Ninfa's. Eric discusses with the guys how they both got into the restaurant business, balancing the traditions of Ninfa's with the need for innovation, what Alex and Jason bring to the table, what the nostalgia factor of Ninfa's brings, getting the news about the James Beard Award nominations, the fast casual concept in the works, an update on the Uptown location, TV opportunities, and much more!

While the East and West Coast get the lion's share of attention, it's time to focus Texas. It's an exciting time to be making, and drinking, wines from the state. Explore the landscape, get to know the grapes, and find out which local bottles pair best with barbecue.  Wine Discussed:  @4:50 Llano Estacado 2017 Signature Rosé (Texas) @18:18 Haak 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Texas High Plains) @17:18 Messina Hof 2014 Paulo Limited Edition Red (Texas) Transcript:   Jameson Fink: Welcome to Wine Enthusiast's What We're Tasting Podcast. I'm your host, Jameson Fink. Join me as we discuss three fantastic wines and why each one belongs in your glass. This episode, we're looking at wines from Texas, with Assistant Tasting Director Fiona Adams, who covers and reviews wines from the region. What We're Tasting is sponsored by Vivino. With the largest online inventory, Vivino finds the right wine every time. Even wines from Texas, which you do want to mess with. Download Vivino to discover and find your favorites, and stock up at Vivino.com/wineenthusiast. When I think about wine in the United States, of course the West Coast comes to mind probably first. Definitely first. California, Washington, Oregon. Then, of course, being in New York, and spending a lot more time living here on the East Coast, I'm getting more into New York wines, and trying things from Vermont and Virginia, of course. But a area I really know very little about wine-wise is Texas. I'm really excited to have you here on the show, Fiona, and give me a education in Texas wine. Welcome to the show. Fiona Adams: Thank you for having me. Jameson Fink: The first thing I want to know is where are they making wine in Texas? How many wine regions are there? What's going on? Fiona Adams: There are a handful of wine regions, but the two main ones, where they're doing most of the grape growing, a lot of the wineries are based there, are in Texas Hill Country, which Fredericksburg is the main town there. It's just outside of Austin and San Antonio. A little bit more to do. Then in West Texas, we've got the High Plains. So Lubbock, Odessa area. That's where they're doing most of the grape growing. It's really flat. Just a lot more space to work with. Most of the cotton grown in the United States is also grown there, so maybe grapes will edge them out. Jameson Fink: Or stock up on your white t-shirts and get some wine. Fiona Adams: Yeah, exactly. You can just ... disposable white t-shirts, with all the red wine they're making. Jameson Fink: What are the main grapes they're growing, red and white? Fiona Adams: They do a lot of pretty much everything there. I'd say the main standout red grape that's really emerging as Texas's signature is Tempranillo. A lot of different people are making it. It's pretty interesting. Then, in the whites, it's a lot of mix of just warmer weather white grapes. A lot of Rhône grapes, Roussannes, Marsannes. They've got Albariños, Chenin blancs, and your classic Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, so they're really still in the experimentation phase in finding their true signature grapes, but it leads to a lot of different, interesting wines in a whole bunch of different styles. Jameson Fink: Usually, I don't like to say like, "Oh, is this region like this?" I like to judge things on their own merits, but just, if you're not familiar with Texas, if you like these kinds of wines, it might remind you of this, or the land might remind you of that? Is it unique, as far as geographic weather, or ... Fiona Adams: The weather? I mean, it's Texas, so it's hot. You should expect some fuller-body wines. Wines with a little bit more alcohol. Wines that are just a little bit fuller in character. A little heartier. But they have a lot of talented winemakers who are making things that are really elegant and lighter-bodied, as well. It might be really hot there in the summer, but they also get really cold there, which not a lot of people know. It's pretty decent elevation. Winters get pretty cool. They've got a really great temperature change, day to night, out in the High Plains. Hill Country is a little bit more what you would expect. Pretty humid, pretty hot, but not as much grape production is going on there. Jameson Fink: What's the elevation, in ... As far as it goes? Fiona Adams: It's high. Jameson Fink: Yeah, it's high. Fiona Adams: Not as high as New Mexico, but higher than most places. Higher than you would expect. Jameson Fink: High enough to get a diurnal shift, dare we say? Fiona Adams: Oh, yeah. I mean, Texas ... The big joke about Texas is, depending on what part of the state, the season can change. You could have winter in the northern part, and it be a snowstorm, and then go further south, and it's 100-degrees, and 1,000% humidity, and chilling at a beach. You get a little bit of everything. Jameson Fink: Yeah. One of the scariest snowstorms I ever drove through was in Texas. Fiona Adams: People don't think about snow when it comes to Texas, but they've got plenty of weather. Jameson Fink: Yeah. Well, speaking of weather, it's right now, here in New York and all over the country, it's a prime rosé drinking season, so actually the first wine I want to talk about from Texas is a rosé. It's the Llano Estacado 2017 Signature Rosé. 89 points, best buy. Can you tell me a little bit about this wine as far as what's in it, and what it tastes like? Fiona Adams: It's a really tasty rosé. It's definitely got that lighter, Provençal color going on. Really pretty, like those classic strawberry and fruit flavors. Then the blend has got some more of those Rhône grapes that are doing really well there. I believe it's Cinsault, and ... Jameson Fink: Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Grenache. I have it in front of me. Fiona Adams: There you go. So more like a classic Rhône blend, but they've been able to keep it really refreshing, and pretty, and all of those things that people are really looking for in their rosés right now. It's just ... I mean, it's a great price. It's great wine. Jameson Fink: Are you seeing a lot of dry rosés like this from Texas? Fiona Adams: Oh, yeah. They do a ton of dry rosé there. There's been a handful of producers that are canning their rosé. I mean, it is hot in the summer there. You want to sit outside, and drink rosé, and hang out. There's, I mean, a huge variety. I mean, they are definitely doing a lot more of those Rhône grape blends for their rosés, but you can find a few of those Cabernet Sauvignon ones. It's going to be a little bit fuller than a Provençal-style, but I wouldn't go into saying it's dark rosé, that you need food. It's that really light, approachable style. Jameson Fink: It reminds me of, I mean, I was just talking with Sean Sullivan about Washington State and Eastern Washington. I mean, it's really hot out there, and it's very deserty, but you get these ... You can still ... I mean, it's just like Provence. It's hot, but you produce these wines from grapes that make these thirst-slaking wines that you want to drink in the heat of the summer. Fiona Adams: And they've got canned rosé. Who doesn't want canned rosé? Jameson Fink: I want canned rosé! Fiona Adams: There's a couple of cool producers who are making these canned rosés. Messina Hof, who we'll talk about later. They do a canned rosé that's really tasty. There's a few other guys who are doing it, as well. Then Lewis Cellars makes a ton of rosé that's all Rhône-varieties. They're just so pretty, and so delicious. He's really starting to master making those very light, refreshing, expressive wines with these grapes that can get insanely ripe in that heat. Jameson Fink: Yeah, and I think you mentioned canned wines, and I think ... People talk, "Oh, is it a fad, or a trend?" I mean, I think it's here to stay. We've gone past that. I think we're going to see more and more of canned wine. Fiona Adams: If you can can beer, why can't you can wine? Jameson Fink: I agree. I tend to like ... I mean, you can get a 12-ounce can. To me, it's like, "Okay, great. There's two glasses in there." Or I actually like better the ... I like the little Red Bull-sized, or what are those ... 250-milliliters. More like single-serving wines. Fiona Adams: Exactly. If you're having a barbecue or something, that small can ... Or going to the beach. Sitting by the pool. You don't want to deal with glasses and bottles. I mean, there's all those products that you can buy, but it's way easier to ... you throw in your six-pack of beer, and you throw in your six-pack of wine, and you're ready to go. Jameson Fink: That's right. They can live in the same cooler. Fiona Adams: Exactly. Jameson Fink: That's great. The second wine ... We're going to move into red wine territory. It's from the Texas High Plains. It's the Haak 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon. 88 points. What is a Texas Cabernet like? Fiona Adams: Texas Cabernet ... I mean, they're hitting all of those checkboxes that die-hard Cabernet Sauvignon-lovers really want. It's going to be fuller-bodied. They've got all that great tannin and structure. Some of those classic tobacco and leathery flavors. Then, because the fruit gets so ripe down there, they get really punchy red berries in there. All of their reds, really. It's just like ... You get all of those nice flavors, and structure, and support from the oak aging, but you're not overwhelming the fruit flavors, because they are just naturally so intense. Jameson Fink: Is it too corny for me to say, like, these are great wines to have with brisket or Texas barbecue? Fiona Adams: Texas barbecue! Absolutely. Brisket's big down there, and delicious. I mean, depending on who you talk to, they'll tell you 10 or 12 different barbecue places that you have to go to. I agree. You have to go to get them. It pairs well with ... Yeah. Those really classic Texas portions. Your big meat. You've got your cornbread, your potato salad. All the classic sides, and the wines just seamlessly pair with that traditional flavor. Jameson Fink: So if you're visiting Hill Country, you can just do a pretty epic day or week of barbecue and wine tasting? Fiona Adams: Absolutely. Especially with Hill Country being so close to Austin, which has some seriously famous barbecue places. I'm a Salt Lick person. That's my favorite. Come at me. Jameson Fink: I can't. I haven't been there, so ... Shamefully. Fiona Adams: You're also close to San Antonio, which has an insane amount of restaurants. You can, easy enough, fly in there. Rent a car, and in a couple of hours, you're in wine country with just as many great restaurants. A ton of different wineries you can visit. They've got their own wine trail happening in Hill Country, so you can really have that experience that Napa or New York has really developed, where, oh, you come here, and this is a wine trail, and everything is geared around that. Jameson Fink: I think people are like, "Look, I'll get on a plane right now and go to Napa," or Sonoma, or really anywhere. But I think people are looking for those kinds of destinations, too, that are a little off-beat. People, like I said, love to go to Austin, or San Antonio, and like to be able to visit a unique wine country that's maybe unexpected. I think that's kind of the next step, is like, "Oh! I'm going to think about Texas, and I'll think of wine." Or "I'll think of tasting wine." Or buying wine, buying local wine. I think that's pretty exciting, too. Fiona Adams: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Napa is, sure, the American wine destination for a lot of people. It's the first one that pops into their head. But it's really crowded. It's really expensive. And you can get a similar vibe and experience in Texas that you can in Napa, because you've got great restaurants. You've got a great place to stay. Great shopping. They've also got horses and Texas stuff that's way cooler. Jameson Fink: Hey, we'll be back to the show very shortly. But since you're here, I know you're already a fan of wine podcasts. Why don't you check out our other show, called The Wine Enthusiast Podcast. Download it wherever you get podcasts. Okay. I want to get a little controversial. Bring up a controversial issue. One is that ... Well, not one. The issue, to me, is that there are a lot of wines made in Texas that are made from grapes imported from California. I'm wondering, when you look at a label, how do you know ... It can say "Texas" on the label, but the grapes can be imported from California. How prevalent is this, and what is your take on that? Fiona Adams: There is a big divide there about buying grapes from a different state, and slapping on your label, "Made in Texas." There's been a huge push. There's a lot of young winemakers who are really making some excellent wines who are saying, "Hey, if I wanted to make California wine, I would make it in California. But I'm in Texas. I'm from Texas. I grew up here. I've been farming these grapes for my whole life." It's really a big push for that sense of pride of place. That "This is Texas wine. This isn't California wine. We grow our grapes. We have our own industry. We can beat them. Our wines are just as good. Some of our wines are better." It's just a different experience. I mean, buying grapes from other wine regions is a common occurrence in some lesser-known states that, maybe they don't have the infrastructure. Maybe there are certain grapes that winemakers want to experiment with, but they just can't grow in their climates. I mean, that's one way to go, and if you're making beautiful wine, I'm not going to be that mad at you. But especially when you consider sustainability and the environmental impact of trucking grapes from a different state, to ferment it, and then to say that your wine is from Texas? It's like, yeah, you might have made it there, but it's not the same. Jameson Fink: I mean, I think the whole idea is like local food, and local wine, and when you visit a place, you want to have a literal taste of the place. I mean, I'm certainly ... Look, I'm saying this as some dude sitting on a couch in a Manhattan studio, but if I owned a business, and ... there just aren't enough grapes, for one thing, was [inaudible 00:14:16] be the problem. I'm sure they're planning a lot more. There's just not enough grapes to meet demand. But I just think there has to be some kind of transparency in labeling. That's something that I don't know that much about as far as how labeling doesn't say, like, "22% of these grapes came from California." Or how that's- Fiona Adams: They're really working on changing the labeling laws, and making sure that people know exactly where their grapes are coming from. That's a big push in a lot of states, as well, where there's ... When the local wine industry grows, you want to have that stamp on your wines that this is a local wine, and not a wine where the grapes are coming from someplace else. But as you mentioned, there are issues where you run into with bad harvests, or the demand for Texas wine is going up. They drink so much wine in Texas. You want to keep up with production, so if you are not able to get in all of the grapes that you need to produce the amount of wine that you want to make or sell, and they buy other grapes ... It's just like, "All right, that can be a short-term Bandaid." But there has been a lot more planting. There's a lot of investment in growing more wine. Like I said, in the High Plains, they can push out the cotton industry, as far as I'm concerned. They've got excellent soil. It takes less water to grow grapes than it does cotton, and they're harvesting really quality fruit. Jameson Fink: Yeah, and I think that maybe the thing to do is when you visit, or anyone visits, is to ask questions. Just be like, "Here's our Cabernet." "Where do you get the grapes from?" That's not accusatory. And say, "Are you trying to move away from importing grapes, and having more Texas grapes? Are you planting? Are you buying? Are you working with vineyards that are growing?" I just think, as a wine drinker, when you're visiting, ask these questions, and get to know ... Just like you would ask about any other wines when you're visiting a wine region, and listen to what these winemakers are saying. Or these business owners, too. Because like I said, it's easy for me to complain. Like, "Well, why would you make any ... Why don't you stop making wine when you run out of grapes?" And like, "If your livelihood and business ... Maybe five years down the road, or 10 years down the road, plantings will increase and then you won't need to be reliant on that." I think also, as people are more into local wine everywhere ... I mean, just demand that. Demand that they move towards sourcing grapes from local vineyards, or vineyards in the state. Fiona Adams: Texas is a great place to visit for that. Most of the wineries have tasting rooms. They have great staff who are willing to tell you about the wines that you're trying, and tell you where they were planted. It's like, "Oh, yeah. These grapes? If you drive five miles down that road, you can go look at these vines." They've got a fair amount of ability to handle tourists and really educate wine drinkers. It's definitely worth the visit. Jameson Fink: Absolutely. The third wine we want to talk about is Messina Hof 2014 Paulo Limited Edition Red. 89 points. It's a Merlot blend. 60% Merlot, 27% Tempranillo, 13% Cabernet. I know you just tasted a bunch of Tempranillos from Texas. Can you talk about Tempranillo in Texas, and how ... Is that the grape to hitch your wagon to? Fiona Adams: Tempranillo is definitely something that's becoming really popular there. I mean, they've got the right climate for it. If you think about ... Tempranillo, it's Rioja's grape. It's another place where it is hot there. It is flat. It has got not an entirely similar climate, but they've really been able to take those grapes and bring them to Texas and make their own style on it. I mean, they don't taste like Riojas. They are their own stamp on it. I mean, they do have similarities to Rioja, but I think you get a nice range of styles that you couldn't find someplace else, and just great fruit flavors. A lot of the winemakers are pretty restrained in their use of oak, so you get some really pretty fruit flavors that will go with a lot of different foods. If you don't want something that's a big, heavy Gran Reserva, and you want a Tempranillo, I mean, Texas ... There's a lot of great value there. The vines really seem to have taken to the soils and the climates there, and it really looks like that's where they're headed. Jameson Fink: I thought it was also cool about Messina Hof, is that it was founded in 1977. I mean, I think it was maybe the fourth winery in Texas. I didn't realize that the history goes back that far. Fiona Adams: Oh, yeah. Texas? They've been making wine for a really long time. They used to grow grapes and sell them to California winemakers. Messina Hof's been around for a while, and they definitely have proved themselves as very capable of making excellent wines, and have really embraced the family wine tradition in Texas in creating a lasting industry. Jameson Fink: I also was, when I was looking at their lineup of wines, they have an Estate Sagrantino, which I thought was really cool and unusual. Fiona Adams: It's delicious. Jameson Fink: I think that's ... It reminds me of when I was in Australia, in the McLaren Vale ... That was kind of lame of me to just brag about that, but you know what I mean- Fiona Adams: "When I was in Australia." Jameson Fink: When I was ... Yeah. Yeah. Ugh. So insufferable. But I mean the Barossa, or the McLaren Vale, rather, and it's super ... I mean, it's crazy hot there. There's a winery, Oliver's Taranga, that makes a Sagrantino, and they do a Fiano, and I think it's really smart, when you're in a climate that's that hot, to think about grapes like Sagrantino. Fiona Adams: Absolutely. I mean, they're definitely still experimenting and figuring out, like, "All right. If this works, why can't this work?" Or "This seems to be a climate that's similar to ours. Let's throw in a few vines." I mean, they're enough under-the-radar, and they have a great local consumer base that, if they make something, and maybe it isn't their favorite thing, and they can pull out the vines in a couple of years? At least they tried it, and check that one off the list, move to the next one. Jameson Fink: Yeah. Fiona Adams: I mean, and they're not really having a problem selling their wines. It's hard to find Texas wine outside of Texas because they're drinking all of the wine in Texas. Why would you export, if you can just sell it to everyone here. Jameson Fink: Yeah. No doubt! Fiona Adams: Hopefully, they get to enough production where you can find it in a few more states, but a lot of the wineries have wine clubs. They're easy to find. They're breaking into some markets. Chicago's got a decent handful of producers that are selling there. New York, of course, but ... Yeah. They keep ... I mean, Messina Hof also does Rieslings, which you would think, "Why would you grow Riesling, this German Alpine grape, in hot Texas?" But with really capable wine techniques, and knowing your region really well, they're able to create very dry, very approachable, affordable Rieslings.  Who knows what Texas can do? It's these grapes that are just very surprising, that makes it difficult to be like, "Texas is this." It's like, "Oh, but wait. They also do this, this, and this. So maybe Texas is that." They're trying to find an identity, but maybe it's not as simple as nailing it down to, "Rioja makes Tempranillo. Barossa makes Shiraz." They've got the capability and enough people who are willing to just be constantly experimenting that maybe they don't need to be the "This is the Cab state." Jameson Fink: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Well, speaking of experimenting, one of the nice pleasures of recording with someone in the studio together ... We're live here together ... is sharing some wine. This is our bonus wine that you brought, that I've been really excited to try. It's from Southold Farm + Cellar, which ... I mean, we've both like ... used to be a winery located in Long Island, and now is in Texas. As far as how that happened, I think I can just say Long Island's loss, Texas's gain. But tell me about this white wine you brought. It's very luscious. Fiona Adams: Yeah, so this is a white blend. This is one of those wines where it's like, oh yeah, Texas is going to try ... make anything, and a lot of the times, they're going to succeed. This is Southold's blend. It's called Don't Forget to Soar. It's mostly- Jameson Fink: S-O-A-R. Fiona Adams: Yes. "Soar," like a bird. Jameson Fink: Like a bird. Yes, I gotcha. Fiona Adams: It's mostly Roussanne, right? I said? Jameson Fink: Mm-hmm (affirmative). Fiona Adams: With a splash of Albariño, and those are two white grapes that ... I've been coming across them in Texas a lot. They've been very expressive, really fruit-driven wines. They've got an insane amount of acidity, and they've had a lot of success, so I'm hoping that they do go in this direction where they do a lot more of these Rhône blends, especially in their whites. This one is a little bit funkier. Maybe a little skin-contact going on. Jameson Fink: Possibly, yeah. It's got some depth of color. It's rich. It's very good. It's very ... not indulgent, but it's very luscious, like I said. It's- Fiona Adams: It is luscious. Jameson Fink: Yeah. It's got a lot of texture to it. Fiona Adams: Exactly. Southold, this is another one of those younger winemakers who is trying new things, and really expanding the category. I would say Lewis Cellars, which I mentioned before. They're doing a lot of interesting wines. William Chris is another winery. It's a duo with a younger guy who's making really awesome wines. He is not on the Tempranillo bandwagon. Jameson Fink: Mm. Ah! Fiona Adams: But his wines are incredible, so I'm not going to fault him. Jameson Fink: Right. Fiona Adams: I think having that energy has really been helping to give space to wines like this one, that's a little bit weirder. Wouldn't be what you'd expect, but because Texas isn't nailed down to this one signature style, that everyone's like, "Oh, yeah. I'll try that one. Oh, yeah. I'll try that. Who knows? I'm not so stuck in my ways with one style that I can just try something." Jameson Fink: Yeah. It reminded me, like I said, I hinted at earlier, it reminds me a lot of Washington State, as far as like, "Oh, do we need a signature grape? Do we have one?" Or, I think they're, obviously, in Washington, is farther along, but they went through those same things, where they're like, "We're trying this here. We're trying it in these sites. We're trying these warm weather grapes. We do Riesling, too, and it works." I feel a kinship there.  But whites, rosés, reds. It sounds like Texas is a really exciting place to explore. Especially getting in on the ground floor, before the word is out. The word should be out, because they make a lot of wine. They do make a lot of wine. But I would encourage everyone to visit. I definitely want to visit. I want to go eat some barbecue and drink some Tempranillo and rosé, and maybe have- Fiona Adams: Those Rhône wines. Jameson Fink: ... the Rhône wines. Fiona Adams: You've got to go for those Rhône wines. Jameson Fink: Yeah, the Roussanne. Fiona Adams: McPherson makes a Picquepoul that is my summer wine. They're based out in the High Plains, so a little bit further, but- Jameson Fink: That was the first Texas wine I ever had, was a McPherson. Fiona Adams: He's been doing it a long time, and it shows. His wines are stellar. He's got a little bit of something for everyone. I mean, that Picquepoul, if you're sitting outside in the heat, maybe not Texas heat, but it's just as hot in New York right now. Jameson Fink: Yeah. Fiona Adams: That's the wine that I want to be drinking. Jameson Fink: Fantastic. Well, there's a lot to explore with Texas wine, so thanks for enlightening me and being on the show, Fiona. Fiona Adams: Thank you. Jameson Fink: All right. Let's drink more of this delightful Southold wine. Fiona Adams: Yeah. Jameson Fink: Thank you for listening to the What We're Tasting Podcast. Sponsored by Vivino, Wine Made Easy. The three wines we discussed today were: Llano Estacado 2017 Signature Rosé, the Haak 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas High Plains, and the Messina Hof 2014 Paolo Limited Edition Red. Find What We're Tasting on iTunes, Google Play, or wherever you find podcasts. If you liked today's episode, please give us a five-star rating on iTunes, leave a comment, and tell your friends. What We're Tasting is a Wine Enthusiast podcast. Check out Wine Enthusiast online at winemag.com.

Messina Hof, founded in 1977, is currently making 90 different wines from 33 varieties, wow! Paul and Karen Bonarigo, second generation owners, come on the podcast to talk about the evolution of Texas wine, the history and future of Messina Hof, and so much more. Check it out!