Founded 20 years ago by Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman, Duchman Family Winery has been one of Texas’ first pioneers of Italian grape varieties. Duchman sources its grapes from the Texas High Plains where cooler temperatures and a more continental climate is ideal for Vermentino, Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Montepulciano and Aglianico. Over the past 10 years, Duchman has added other grapes to its portfolio including Roussanne, Albariño, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
Winemaker Dave Reilly, who started as a cellar rat and took the helm as winemaker in 2008, strives to make wines that are true to their varietal character using the highest quality grapes grown only in Texas. His collaboration with and respect for growers comes through loud and clear in his Grape Growers White and Red Blends, which are handcrafted using the best grapes from his vineyard partners.
Duchman Family Winery recently introduced its new Grape Growers BBQ White and BBQ Red wines, wines that pair perfectly with Texas’ famous barbecue. Its BBQ White recently won Best of Class for white blends at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
And after three years, Duchman is offering its popular Vermentino, one of the most well-known and iconic white wines from Texas. After several devasting freezes in the Texas High Plains damaged the Vermentino vines, this white Italian grape is growing again and producing beautiful fruit in the Texas High Plains. Make sure to pick up a bottle!
Most notably, Duchman takes pride in its aging program, where its wines, particularly the bold and tannic Aglianico, spend 3-4 years in barrel and another year in bottle to create highly integrated wines with soft tannins.
Looking ahead to 2024, Dave is most excited about these wines:
2023 Vermentino – lime zest, lemon, pineapple and yellow apple
2023 Viognier – peach, floral and limestone minerality
2018 Aglianico – dried cherry, cranberry, stewed fruit, dried herbs
2023 BBQ White – slightly off dry with notes of apricot, pear, apple and citrus with a bright finish
2023 BBQ Red – notes of black fruits, cranberry and a peppery spiciness
Plan a visit to Duchman Family Winery where you can enjoy wines in the Tuscan-style tasting room or outside on picnic tables under large oak trees. With its own in-house chef, Duchman offers handcrafted shareables and homemade pizzas from Thursday through Sunday.
There are always fun events happening at the winery including free music, bingo and coming soon a new Harvest Dinner Series. Don’t miss the April 8 eclipse party that provides a perfect location for watching this total solar eclipse. This is the first total eclipse in the United States since 2017 and will the last total solar eclipse visible here until 2044. The event will feature a live band and multiple marketplace vendors as well as face painting and axe throwing. Dr. Duchman’s brother-in-law and retired astronomer Mike Kibat will be onsite to explain the solar eclipse happenings.