Welcome to the fine world of Texas Wine.
After arriving at a beautiful swath of Texas Hill Country, we enjoyed some wine
straight from the barrel to bid farewell to the sun. Our wine tasting and
education started with and introduction to the history of wine in
Texas and the nation.
Over the last 20 years, technology in irrigation, advancement in industry
knowledge, and the influx of seasoned winemaker in Texas moving Texas wines
forward.
Ron Yates gives us a short lesson on growing grapes.
One of the big themes of the evening was quality over quantity. This is not a
new concept as this phrase is repeated in many industries that pride themselves
on pouring their passion into their products. However, the importance of quality
over quantity isn’t pervasive across all parts of the the Texas wine industry
yet, particularly in the consumers. The more phenolic concentration in the
grapes, the lower the yield, and the higher the price for a great bottle.
However, that wine is going to be an exemplar of quality over quantity.
Susan Auler pouring some sips.
Dan Gatlin feels so strongly about quality over quantity, that he offers an
superflight experience at Inwood Estates. During the 2011 drought, Dan
sacrificed allowed only 0.29 tons of grapes per acre to develop (9% of typical
yield). This produced a harvest that was exceptionally high in concentration and
phenolic development which produced a premium quality wine. For just $45 per
person, you can taste a
flight of these wines
against their Spanish counterparts, Numanthia, from side by side.
A big thank you to Susan Auler and Sergio Cuadra of
Fall Creek Vineyards,
Dan Gatlin of
Inwood Estates Vineyards,
Ron Yates of
Spicewood Vineyards,
and Gina Ross of
Stonehouse Vineyard!
It was a great way to to further my Texas wine education.
This is baby Syrah. Oh, you're so young and cute!
Barrels of wine are much more fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Sergio pouring some tastes in the cellar.
And the vineyard mascot.
Posts
