Toasting Texas Wines
Words by Stacey Igram Kaleh | Photo Courtesy of Messina Hof
As we gather around holiday tables, diving into delicious meals and compelling conversations, perhaps indulging in a few favorite traditions and recounting memories of past seasons, I find myself wanting to make everything last a bit longer. The hustle of holiday gatherings, often brimming with anticipation and preparation, can sometimes feel like a blur.
This season, I say let’s relish and recognize the beauty of it all. When my family and friends gather to celebrate, I plan to stretch the seconds and lose track of the clock, devices and other distractions. I want everyone to laugh and linger. One of my favorite ways to foster slowing down is by sharing a favorite bottle of wine, ideally one with a great story.
There’s no shortage of great stories when it comes to the bold ingenuity and unfettered resilience of those dedicated to making Texas wines. If I’ve learned anything in the years exploring Texas wineries and vineyards and interviewing the experts, it’s that the people behind the wines are motivated from deep within — driven by the pursuit of discovery, artistic expression, family tradition or all of the above. Each bottle of wine is more than a product, it’s a deeply personal and unique vision brought to life as the result of tireless labor. And it’s one that, fortunately for us, tastes delicious.
“The largest benefit to buying wine that is 100 percent Texas wine is you know where it’s coming from and it’s supporting our Texas farmers and wine producers,” says John J. Rivenburgh, winegrower, founder of Rivenburgh Wine Incubator and board president of Texas Wine Growers, a nonprofit consortium dedicated to promoting and protecting the integrity of Texas wine through education and policy advocacy.
The organization's work is paying off. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing region in the U.S. and the Texas wine industry employs more than 141,000 workers. In addition, more than 500 wineries and 340 growers call Texas home and we have 9,300 acres of vineyards and counting.
With roots dating back to the 1600s, Texas can also take pride in being one of the oldest wine-producing states in the U.S. There’s much to explore and keep us excited. With eight distinct American Viticultural Areas or AVAs (with more pending formal designation) and the numerous grape varieties grown here, you are likely to find a perfect pairing that fits your meal and your personal tastes.
“I wish there was a way to capture the passion we all put into our products,” muses Rivenburgh. A longtime champion of Texas wine who takes pride in mentoring other growers and makers, Rivenburgh emphasizes the importance of relationships in the Texas wine industry and more broadly. “Wine for generations has been a tool to bring family, friends and colleagues together in celebration,” he says. “We all love wine. We all love what we do and our absolute passion is sharing.”
When we pour Texas wine for others, we’re expressing warm Texas hospitality and inviting our loved ones to share in something deep-rooted — the joy of connection and conversation. Wine is a drink to sip and savor. It’s also a fantastic conversation starter. Whether you know a lot or a little about wine, you can have fun observing variations in color, different notes on the nose and palate, the texture of the wine as it touches your tongue, and how it transforms in taste from start to finish. There are many aspects to explore and discuss. And, if you visit a Texas winery for a tasting or to enjoy a glass in the vineyards, you’re sure to have some great photos and anecdotes to accompany any bottle you bring home.
Finally, if you want to take your holiday meal to the next level, consider Texas wine and food pairings. Serve up dishes with locally sourced ingredients and extend the farm-to-table philosophy to what you drink as well! For me, nothing beats mourvèdre and Texas barbecue on a lovely winter evening outdoors or a New Year’s Eve celebration with local cheeses, local charcuterie and a great local sparkling wine.
If you’re not hosting or firing up the oven this season, Texas wine also makes a great gift or party contribution. A glass of wine can make any occasion special and nurture the practice of taking pleasure in the small moments — even if it just means curling up on the couch or next to the fireplace with a great book or magazine — so be sure to treat yourself and others!
Enjoy these Texas wines, and invite your friends, family and holiday guests to experience some of the best of what the Lone Star State has to offer! The wines on this list really shine in terms of embracing Texas’ terroir and set the bar high in terms of quality. Plus, they support local makers, growers and entrepreneurs, fuel the Texas economy, and move the dial toward increased sustainability. Find a selection in the Texas wine section at your neighborhood H-E-B or local wine retailer or purchase directly from the wineries (they’ll ship to you, too!).
Reds
Estate Souzão, Ab Astris
Ab Astris Estate Vineyard, Texas Hill Country
Double Barrel Tannat, Bending Branch Winery
Texas High Plains
Cuvée de L’Exposition Cabernet Sauvignon, Calais Winery
Narra Vineyards Clone 47, Texas High Plains
Estate Montepulciano, Hye Meadow Winery
Hye Meadow Estate Vineyard, Texas Hill Country
Tannat, Kerrville Hills Winery
Rustic Spur Vineyards, Texas Hill Country
Estate Aglianico, Kuhlman Cellars
Kuhlman Estate, Texas Hill Country
Estate Sagrantino, Messina Hof
Messina Hof Vineyards, Bryan
Malbec, Perissos Vineyards
Perissos Estate, Texas Hill Country
Spy Rock Touriga Nacional, Pontotoc Vineyard
Gillespie County
Tempranillo, Ron Yates
Friesen Vineyards, Texas High Plains
GSM, Salt Lick Cellars
Salt Lick Vineyards, Driftwood
Marselan, Sandy Road Vineyards
Sandy Road Vineyards Estate, Texas Hill Country
The Good Guy, Spicewood Vineyards
Texas Hill Country Estate blend of Tempranillo,
Graciano, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Spicewood Vineyards, Spicewood
Syrah, Torr Na Lochs
Torr Na Lochs Estate, Burnet
Syrah, Westcave Cellars
Westcave Estate Vineyard, Texas Hill Country
Mourvèdre, William Chris Vineyards
La Pradera Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Sangiovese, Driftwood Estate Winery
Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country
Rosés
Vin Gris Rosé, French Connection Wines
Texas High Plains
Belle Rosé, Hawk’s Shadow Winery
La Pradera Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Dandy Rosé, Wine for the People
Parr Vineyards, Texas Hill Country and La Pradera Vineyard, Texas High Plains
Whites & Sparkling
Viognier Reserve, Becker Vineyards
Six Harts Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Reserve Semillon, Bingham Family Vineyards
Bingham Family Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Vermentino, Rivenburgh Wine
Canted County Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Orange Muscat, Torr Na Lochs
Texas High Plains
Roussanne, Uplift Vineyards
Uplift Vineyards, Burnet
Sparkling Pinot Meunier, Lost Draw
Texas High Plains
Sparkling Blanc du Bois, William Chris Vineyards
Fleming Farms Vineyard, Darst Ranch Vineyard,
John Dale Vineyard, Texas Gulf Coast
