Wine Down Wednesdays with Denise Clarke

May 2023 – Texas Hill Country Wineries Austin Roadshow Highlights

In my last column, I shared some new and recently rediscovered Texas Hill Country wineries that caught my attention. With more than 120 wineries in the Texas Hill Country AVA region, however, it’s tough to get to all of them. (But if you want to, I highly recommend you go to the Texas Wine Lover website and mobile app, which will give you the most comprehensive information about wineries and vineyards and its Guide will even help you plan and map out your wine country trip.)

Lucky for me, the Texas Hill Country Wineries brought 29 Texas Hill Country wineries to Austin as part of its Texas Hill Country Wine Road Show. The event was in the Lexus Club at Q2 Stadium – so impressive!

Here are some of my favorites from the tasting – head out to Texas Wine Country and check out these wineries.

Ab Astris – the 2019 Tannat, named the Top Texas Red at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wine Competition, is a big rustic red with cherry, leather, earth and tobacco notes.

Bending Branch Winery – the Tannat House of Texas never disappoints and neither does the 2023 Tannat Frizzante Rosé with notes of ripe strawberry and the 2019 Texas Tannat, a big red with black raspberry and black currant notes.

Bent Oak Winery – a city winery in Cedar Park, Bent Oak was probably the most eye-opening for me. The 2021 Riesling was bright with honey, white flower and tangerine notes. The 2019 Dolcetto was a favorite with cherry, strawberry, leather and herbal notes and a hint of mint.

Driftwood Estate Winery – winemaker Jackie van Sant Downes showed off the 2019 Tempranillo (ripe red cherry and strawberry, herbal) and 2019 Syrah (red and black cherry, black plum, eucalyptus and spices), both of which won Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Duchman Family Winery – as a self-professed white wine gal, the 2021 Roussanne hits the mark with underripe peach, tart pineapple and lemon notes, perfect for hot summer days.

Hye Meadow Winery – specializing in Italian grapes, Hye Meadow featured its 2018 BOOOOM, a rustic blend of Negroamaro, Montepulciano and Aglianico with cherry, black cherry and savory herbal notes.

Kalasi Cellars – this newer, small production winery got its start as owners of Narra Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Another eye-opening winery, Kalasi featured its reserve collection including the 2017 Sangiovese (cherry, herbal and spicy) and the big, bold 2017 Re d’Italia, a blend of Teroldego, Sagrantino and Sangiovese (red and black fruit, dark chocolate and tobacco).

Kuhlman Cellars – the 2017 Malbec-Merlot blend has notes of black cherry, black plum, spices and I learned this wine is the house red at Dai Due (thank you Dai Due for always carrying Texas wines).

Lost Draw Cellars – The 2021 Texas High Plains Rosé of Carignan and Mourvèdre was my favorite rosé of the tour, reminding me of a raspberry Jolly Rancher.

Messina Hof – The Bonarrigo Family Wines 2019 Heritage Reserve is a blend of Sagrantino, Sangiovese and Primitivo – Italian varieties to recognize the Bonarrigo heritage. This wine has delicious notes of dark cherry, dusty earth, leather and a hint of mint.

Pedernales Cellars – the 2020 Texas GSM Melange is that perfect summer red to pair with hamburgers or barbecue with notes of blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and spicy pepper notes.

Ron Yates – the namesake winery of Ron Yates who loves Tempranillo, the 2019 Friesen Vineyards has notes of blackberry, fig and warm spices.

Spicewood Vineyards – another favorite rosé, the 2021 Grenache Rosé with strawberry and citrus notes is so bright and refreshing. When you have a steak on the grill, reach for the 2019 The Independence, a Left Bank Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet, Merlot and a hint of Petit Verdot.

Cheers!