Take a Virtual Vineyard Tour in the Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country
Meet the Winemakers at the Annual Texas Fine Wine Dinner, Oct. 19
Wine enthusiasts have plenty to celebrate as Texas wineries and grape growers wrap up this year’s harvest of wine grapes showing exceptional suitability for Texas’ climate – everything from Vermentino and Viognier to Tempranillo, Tannat and Teroldego. During Texas Wine Month in October, Texas Fine Wine encourages wine enthusiasts to pick up something they’ve never tried before.
“While consumers often reach for familiar wines like Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and Merlot, these are not always the best wines suited for the Texas heat, soils and climate,” says Julie Kuhlken, co-founder of Pedernales Cellars. “Texas is focused on making white wines from warm climate grapes like Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc and Albariño and big reds from Tannat, Tempranillo, Carignan, Aglianico and Souzão, to name just a few.”
To help consumers navigate Texas wines, Texas Fine Wine offers a “Like This, Try That” list of Texas wines that are good alternatives to common favorites. For example, instead of a Pinot Grigio, try a Texas Trebbiano or Albariño, and instead of Merlot, try a Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola or GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) blend.
Texas Fine Wine Dinner
Wine enthusiasts can also try something new at the 5th annual Texas Fine Wine dinner on Friday, October 19 at Spicewood Vineyards. Chef Rafael Garcia, chef and owner of Rafa’s Kitchen Catering will serve a five-course, wine-paired menu focusing on exotic flavors unique to the Texas Hill Country. Each course will be paired with one of the Texas Fine Wine member wines. You can learn more about each Texas Fine Wine winemaker in this new video.
Take A Virtual Vineyard Tour
A surprising Texas wine fact: 80 percent of Texas grapes are grown in the Texas High Plains AVA, the second largest AVA in Texas with 8 million total acres. Currently, more than 5,000 acres are planted with wine grapes in this continental, semi-arid climate, with elevations up to 5,000 feet. The high elevations and rich, red soils provide ideal growing conditions for wine grapes.
Enjoy panoramic views of not only a vineyard in the Texas High Plains, but also in the Texas Hill Country through Texas Fine Wine’s new virtual vineyard tour. Navigate the tour from the website or visit the vineyards using VR goggles; just download the Google Street View app and search for Texas Fine Wine.
Texas Fine Wine represents five of Texas’ most distinguished wineries that are dedicated to making benchmark wines from Texas grapes. They include Bending Branch Winery, Brennan Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery, Pedernales Cellars and Spicewood Vineyards. Follow Texas Fine Wine on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.