Texas Fine Wine Images

Duchman Family Winery crafts distinctive wines that celebrate the character of Texas. Working closely with some of the state’s premier growers, Duchman produces wines made from 100% Texas-grown grapes, with particular focus on Italian varieties exceptionally well suited to the Texas climate.  From Vermentino and Sangiovese to Montepulciano and Aglianico, each wine is crafted to showcase varietal character, vibrant fruit and a true sense of place. The result is a portfolio of balanced, expressive wines that reflect Duchman’s commitment to quality.

Of note:

• In 2026, Duchman was recognized with four wines earning 90+ points at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Texas had 12 wines score 94+ points and Duchman produced two of those 12 wines: 2023 Vermentino and 2019 Aglianico.
• Also in 2026, Duchman Family Winery was named the #3 best wine tasting room in the country by USA Today’s 10Best Awards, recognizing the winery’s welcoming tasting room and its estate’s celebrated wines.
• Founded in 2004 by Drs. Stan and Lisa Duchman, Duchman Family Winery has become one of the Texas Hill Country’s most popular wine destinations, bringing together thoughtfully crafted Texas wines, warm hospitality and a beautiful Tuscan-inspired estate in Driftwood.
• Duchman Family Winery has pioneered one of Texas’ most significant extended aging programs, keeping red wines in a combination of French and American oak for 4-5 years followed by additional bottle aging before release. This patient approach transforms varieties like Aglianico, allowing their natural complexity to emerge while tannins gracefully integrate.
• This aging regime also helps ensure remarkable consistency in the wines, year after year.

Pedernales Cellars is a boutique winery specializing in Spanish and Rhone-style wines made from 100% Texas-sourced fruit. Its owners are sixth-generation Texans dedicated to handcrafted fine wines and sustainable practices. The estate vineyard, Kuhlken Vineyards, was planted in 1995 in Texas’ oldest AVA, Bell Mountain, which is within the Texas Hill Country AVA. 

Of note:

• In 2025, Pedernales Cellars introduced its first wine made from organic grapes sourced from Desert Willow Vineyard in the Texas High Plains: the 2024 Aletheia Rosé. It also released the 2021 Aletheia red blend that was partially sourced from Desert Willow as it transitioned to organic (future vintages will be 100% organic sourced). The 2025 harvest continues the partnership and will produce the next vintage of organically grown wines at Pedernales.  
• A long-standing proponent of sustainability, Pedernales Cellars is one of the wineries participating in the “Roadmap to Sustainability in Texas Wine” project with Texas State University. With a goal of promoting and pursuing sustainability in Texas wine, the group is working toward developing a “Sustainability in Practice” (SIP) certification for the state.

Bending Branch Winery is the Tannat House of Texas. Founded in 2009, Bending Branch is known for its intense wines – from the high acidity in Picpoul Blanc to the bold tannins in Tannat. Bending Branch uses innovative winemaking processes such as Cryo-Maceration and Flash Détente to improve the color, structure and flavor of red wines.

Of note:

• • In May, Bending Branch took Texas terroir to the next level with the first-ever wines aged in Texas white oak. Putting its own stamp on Texas terroir, innovation and sustainability, Bending Branch introduced three wines aged in Texas white oak, delivering distinct flavor characteristics of spice, caramel and vanilla.
  • Bending Branch Winery is in process of applying for its organic certification of its estate vineyard, which includes the new Walker variety Camminare Noir. In 2026, they will plant another Walker variety, Paseante Noir.
  • In February 2023, Bending Branch Winery CEO Dr. Bob Young and President Alison Young brough some of their Kentucky Bourbon Country heritage to Comfort, launching bourbon brands: Bending Branch 1840 and ChickenDuck.

Spicewood Vineyards is one of the first Texas Hill Country wineries, established in 1992 and purchased by Ron Yates in 2007. It produces estate wines from 32 acres and a nearby 10-acre vineyard in Round Mountain. With a passion for Spanish varieties including Tempranillo, Graciano and Carignan, Spicewood Vineyards is also recognized for its estate Sauvignon Blanc.

Spicewood Vineyards was awarded a gold medal and scored 95 points for its 2022 Las Montañas at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards. Its 2020 Good Guy received 94 points, joining a group of only 12 Texas wineries earning 90+ points at this prestigious competition. Two Ron Yates wines – the 2021 Tempranillo, Texas High Plains and 2022 Tempranillo – also scored 94 points.

Of note:

• Spicewood Vineyards is one of the oldest operating vineyards and wineries in the modern day Texas wine industry, still-producing wine from some of the state’s oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines  
• One of the state’s avid fans of Tempranillo, Spicewood sources Tempranillo from the Hill Country, several vineyards in the Texas High Plains and one of the state’s proposed new AVAs: Dell Valley. It is one of the first Texas wineries to introduce a Gran Reserva style Tempranillo (2017 vintage).
• In August 2025, Ron Yates introduced The Get Together, the first premium boxed wine in Texas. Made from 100% Texas fruit (Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot), it marks a milestone for the Texas wine industry and offers a quality, convenient, sustainable and value product for wine enthusiasts.  In 2026, Ron added a white blend and new red blend to The Get Together line-up.