May 2023 – New and Rediscovered Texas Wineries
All you have to do is drive down Highway 290 in Texas Wine Country between Johnson City and Fredericksburg and you will see new wineries and tasting rooms popping up everywhere. All this growth contributes to the Texas wine industry’s $20 billion economic impact and places it #4 or #5 (depending upon who you ask) on the list of wine-producing states.
Texas continues to be a huge draw for wine enthusiasts, most recently named among the world’s top 10 wine destinations by VinePair. So with this grand wine country in your backyard, I thought I would share some newcomers as well as wineries I recently revisited. Here’s a quick run-down.
This new, small-production winery has big sights ahead. Specifically, owners Elisa and Christopher are bringing in semi-automatic sparkling wine equipment from France to make wines in the traditional Champagne method. To my knowledge, they will be the first true sparkling house in Texas.
Their inaugural bubbles will be a sparkling Trebbiano, to be released in time for the holidays if all goes as planned.
For now, enjoy their 2021 Vermentino with lemon and nectarine notes; 2021 Cinsault rosé with notes of underripe strawberry, raspberry and lemon citrus; and 2020 Merlot with bright red and black plum, blueberry, leather and pepper notes.
Since 2019, French Connection Wines has offered Rhone-style wines made by Ben Calais, winemaker and owner of Calais Winery whose namesake winery specializes in Bordeaux-style wines. French Connection’s outdoor deck offers an incredibly scenic view – the perfect place to open a bottle, sit back and relax.
The 2019 La Connection white wine blend of Roussanne, Vermentino, Marsanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc is bright and crisp with stone fruit and citrus notes.
The 2021 Counoise is a lighter-style red (perfect for summer sipping) with cranberry, cherry and herbal notes.
Pebble Rock Cellars was established in 2021 by Robert and Lydia Nida – both highly experienced in Texas winemaking and vineyard management – to support Texas’ growing community of winemakers. Only open on Saturday and Sunday, Pebble Rock offers educational tastings such as sensory experiences to guide guests along their wine education journey. The tasting room is small and intimate, providing exceptional personal service.
The 2019 Chenin Blanc has lemon and tangerine notes with a round mouthfeel.
The 2020 Petite Sirah is a juicy red with strawberry and raspberry notes and lush tannins and the 2020 Teroldego has cherry, raspberry, cocoa, leather and earth notes.
Winemaker Barbara and Miguel Lecuona have been making Siboney Cellars wines since 2017 but just opened their own tasting room and winery four miles from Johnson City, overlooking their estate vineyard. Enjoy the outdoor terrace or head inside to hang out in the downstairs barrel room or upstairs Libra club lounge. Best thing ever: Thursday Twilight Tastings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The 2019 GSM offers all the characteristics of this Rhone-style blend with raspberry, blackberry, herbal and spicy notes.
The 2020 Petite Sirah is Siboney’s first single-varietal Texas Hill Country AVA wine. Expect a big red with dark plum, blackberry and smoky notes.
Owner Joshua Fritsche has been a long-time Texas winemaker at various wineries, starting his own brand in 2012. Named after daughter Tatum Rose, Tatum Cellars focuses on single-varietal wines offered out of the new tasting room on the square in Johnson City. It’s an intimate tasting room with an outdoor patio where you will often find Josh behind the counter serving wines and popular canned seafood with warm bread. (Apparently, it’s a thing!)
The 2020 Rosé is a favorite among Texas wine enthusiasts, with the current release offering a bit of effervescence.
Owned by Allan and Margaret Fetty, Westcave Cellars moved to its new Hye location in 2020 after nine years off Hamilton Pool Road. The beautiful property includes a modern tasting room, brewery and state-of-the-art winery fall nestled under a canopy of trees.
The 2021 Viognier has orangesicle and honey notes with rich and round mouthfeel.
A self-professed Sangio gal, I love the 2018 Sangiovese that is a 50/50 blend of Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains fruit with notes of red and black cherry, herbs and mint.
If beer is your thing, this is your place. Enjoy a selection of classic ales and porters made by brewmeister Patrick Vanderwilt.
Cheers!
Denise Clarke is an avid wine enthusiast who loves sharing and teaching people about wine. She is a Certified Wine Educator, Certified Sommelier, WSET Advanced graduate and an expert on Texas wine. Owner of Denise Clarke PR, she currently represents Texas Fine Wine and the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Wine Marketing Program. She has lived in Austin for more than 30 years and when she is not swirling and sipping wine, she can be found on her bike, climbing every hill she can find.
Follow Denise on IG at @deniseclarkeTX for more wine recommendations.
