Randy Hester on Goals, Grenache, & What's Exciting About Texas Wine

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Texas Wine News

1. Changes Coming at Vinovium
2. Paul Caputo for Forbes “Vermetino is a fresh white wine for a hotter world”
3. OIV + TDA Conference on Pierce’s Disease
4. Become an advocate member of Texas Wine Growers HERE
5. March 8 International Women’s Day Event at Wine For the People: TICKETS

UPCOMING / ONGOING:
 

1. May 4 Texas Wine Auction Tickets
 

2. May 5 Wine & Food Foundation’s Toast of Texas Event Tickets
 

3. May 20–21 Sage’s Vintage Symposium Tickets

Interview with Katy Jane Seaton of Farmhouse Vineyards

Farmhouse Vineyards

Gold Star
 

Award Winners from 2024 TWGGA Conference

TV Munson Award (grape growing): Alphonse and Martha Dotson
 

Louis F Qualia Award (pioneering spirit): Michael McClendon
 

John E Crosby Award (lifetime achievement): Susan Auler and the late Ed Auler
 

Bunny Becker Women in Wine Award: Roxanne Meyers

Demerit
 

None.

Special Thanks

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

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Texas Wine News

1. Landon Winery Plans Denison Expansion
2. “Kerrville Hills Winery Opens Tasting House at Schreiner University”
3. Bingham Family Winery Opens Roanoake Tasting Room
4. US Court Bans Dicamba Weed Killers
5. Amy Beth Wright for Garden & Gun Magazine: “An Insider’s Guide to Mason, Texas, the Hill Country’s Best-Kept Secret”
6. Hill Country Wine Academy: Spring Courses
7. Texas Wine School with Dr. Russ Kane: Spring Course
8. Arch Ray Resort in Fredericksburg LINK
9. Texas Wine Auction Tickets
10. Wine & Food Foundation’s Toast of Texas Event Tickets

Interview with Mike and Kristen Nelson of Ab Astris

Ab Astris
 

Texas Wine Growers

Gold Star
 

Award Winners from Texas Hill Country Wine Symposium

Read more HERE

Demerit
 

None.

Special Thanks

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

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Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

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Texas Wine News

1. San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Results
   1. Texas results on www.txwinelover.com
   2. Full results
2. Amy Beth Wright for Wine Enthusiast: “Pierce’s Disease Devastates Vines. Are These New Hybrids the Answer?”
3. Sara Ventiera for Wine Enthusiast: “This Remote Arts Mecca Near Marfa Is Texas’s Latest Wine Destination”
4. Texas A&M AgriLife: “Wine Trends to Watch in 2024”
5. Pamela Vachon for Wine Enthusiast: “7 up and coming wine regions that should be on your radar”
6. CNN Travel: “Best Destinations to Visit in 2024”
7. Blake Eddie Scholarship Wine by Bingham Family Vineyards
8. Enter your wines for the 2024 TEXSOM Awards! LINK

Interview with Fritz Westover

Westover Vineyard Advising
 

Virtual Vineyard Academy
 

Vineyard Underground Podcast

Gold Star
 

25th anniversary of the Texas Hill Country Wineries!

Read more HERE

Unfortunate press about Texas winery
 

Dallas Observer: Barons Creek Tasting Room Is Now Open in Bishop Arts. But What Is It?

Special Thanks

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:
 

Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Top Texas Wine Stories of the Year

1. Big-time Texas wine press from top local, state, and national wine writers.
2. Hickory Sands AVA perfected by the TTB. (Llano Uplift AVA was perfected in 2022).
3. Many Texas wines did very well in competitions, and white wines fared especially well. William Chris Vineyards was named one of the Top 100 Vineyards and Wineries.
4. Harvest yields were huge.
5. It was a great year for Texas wine festivals and events.
6. The Texas Wine Lover app debuted.
7. Lots of education was delivered through seminars and symposiums. More Texans than ever (or so it seemed) decided to become Specialists of Texas Wine (levels 1 and 2), Texas Wine Ambassador Certification, and WSET courses. Bravo!
8. Plenty of winemakers were on the move.
9. Winery tasting rooms opened, and some closed. Others moved locations.
10. The State Fair of Texas changed direction in the wine garden, and Texas wine only represents 13% of the formerly 100% Texas wine list.

Many thanks to Daniel Kelada at Vinovium for co-hosting this episode!
 

Vinovium

Announcing the Texas Wine Pod Awards 2023!
 

Retail Space of the Year: H-E-B Tomball
 

Marketing Campaign of the Year: Pedernales Cellars for Seriously. Texas Wine.
 

Best Social Media Post: North Texas Wine Country
 

Edu-tainment Award: Texas Wine Club
 

Social Media Consistency Award (tie): Reddy Vineyards and Duchman Family Winery
 

Brand with Heart Award: Farmhouse Vineyards
 

Keeping It Real Award: Alta Marfa Winery
 

Winery Dog of the Year: Whiskey at Vinovium
 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT for Best Restaurant Wine List: Cabernet Grill

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:
 

Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Texas Wine In the News

1. Results from Houston’s Rodeo Uncorked! Wine Competition from Texas Wine Lover and Rodeo Uncorked!
2. W Blake Gray in Wine Searcher: Texas: No Country for Bad Wine
3. Brittney Anas in Men’s Journal: These Thanksgiving Wines Deserve a Spot on the Table
4. Kathy Blackwell in Texas Monthly: The Top 25 Texas Gifts of 2023
5. Broke Lewis in Texas Monthly: Black Winery Owners in Texas Hope to Leave a Legacy for Future Generations
6. Lana Bortolot in Forbes: A Mixed Case for Thanksgiving
7. Katie Bell in Forbes: The Best American Sparkling Wines
8. Come to France with me in 2024! Read all about it here

Interview with AGrayson Davies of Arche’ Winery & Vineyard in St. Jo, Texas
 

Arche’ Wines

North Texas Wine Country

Gold Stars
 

Texas Department of Agriculture’s Texas Wine Advisory Committee

Jerry Eisterhold and TerraVox Winery

Alex Mayyasi for Smithsonian Magazine: The Man Who’s Saving America’s Forgotten Grapes

Demerit
 

none this time

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:
 

Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Texas Wine In the News

1. Forbes: 20 of the coolest and most delicious wines for your Thanksgiving table
2. Kathleen Wilcox: The Best (Unexpected) Wines to Pair with Thanksgiving Dinner
3. MySA: 10 best gifts for Texans
4. Farmhouse Vineyards: Eclipse Opportunity
5. Come to France with me in 2024! Read all about it here

Interview with Amit Dhingra PhD

Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences

International Organisation of Vine and Wine

Gold Stars

none this time

Demerit

none this time

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus!
Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:  

Facebook: @texaswinepod  

Instagram: @texaswinepod  

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com  

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:  

Subscribe to the newsletter.  

Donate virtual Texas wine!  

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Texas Wine In the News

1. Dave McIntyre for The Washington Post: With hard work and luck, Texas Hill Country emerges as a wine region.
2. TWGGA’s Lone Star International Wine Competition RESULTS
3. New William Chris Wine Co Wanderer Series IV benefits Southern Smoke Foundation
4. FlavoryTX Holiday Prelude Tickets and Information
5. Texas Wine Jam Tickets and Information
6. Texas Hill Country Wineries Fort Worth Road Show Tickets and Information
7. Come to France with me in 2024! Read all about it here

Interview with Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars

Kim's podcast with Doug Shafer: LINK

Gold Stars

Three Cheers for Elizabeth Rodriguez who is leaving Cabernet Grill after 18 years!

Listen to Rose Thomas Banister’s great podcast Modo di Bere. It’s all about local drinks and sayings. And don’t miss her recent episode featuring me talking about Texas Wine! LINK

Demerit

Houston Rockets partner with Sonoma County Winegrowers to feature Sonoma County wines at games and other events. Will any Texas wines be offered?

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!  

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:
 

Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Texas Wine In the News

1. Amy Beth Wright for Wine Enthusiast: As Texas Wine Gathers Strength, 6 AVAs Are on the Horizon
2. San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Champion Wine Dinner
3. San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition Results
4. Beverage Dynamics: Wine Panel Reviews American Wine
5. Travel & Leisure: This Texas Hill Country Town Is Home to Natural Swimming Holes, Wineries, and 50 Giant Cowboy Boots
6. Texas Hill Country Wineries Fort Worth Road Show
7. Silicon Valley Bank’s Annual State of the Wine Industry SURVEY
8. Come to France with me in 2024! Read all about it here

Interview with Clay Roup of Texas Wine Club

Texas Wine Club Wine Experiences and Tasting Room
 

Dr. Russ Kane, instructor for the Specialist of Texas Wine Certification offered by Texas Wine School BLOG
 

Georgian wine documentary “Our Blood is Wine”

Gold Stars

Podcast: Meet Me at the Wagon by Perini Ranch Steakhouse and Texas Monthly Podcast Studio

Demerit

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:
 

Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Texas Wine In the News

1. My State Fair of Texas article detailing a HUGE DEMERIT
2. Register now for The Texas Wine School’s Advanced Texas Wine Specialist Course
3. LINK to join Rhone Rangers
4. The Local Palate: What the Wine Pros are Drinking This Fall
5. Lana Bortolot for Forbes: Roses that Power Into Fall
6. North Texas Wine Country Fall Passport Event
7. Texas Hill Country Wineries Fall Passport Event
8. Come to France with me in 2024! Read all about it here

Interview with Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, co-founders of Messina Hof Winery

Buy their memoir!

Video of Paul’s chat with Ron Perry, formerly of Texas A&M

Gold Stars

Texas Hill Country Wineries Winemaker Dinners

Buy tickets for the December 3 dinner at Hill & Vine HERE COMING SOON

Demerit

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!

Mentioned in this Episode

Connect with the Podcast:
 

Facebook: @texaswinepod
 

Instagram: @texaswinepod
 

Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com
 

Visit www.thisistexaswine.com

Help the Show:
 

Subscribe to the newsletter.
 

Donate virtual Texas wine!
 

Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Texas Wine In the News

Texas Monthly’s Vintner’s Cup Winners:

-Bolen Vineyards 2022 Marsanne
 

-English Newsom 2021 Dry Riesling
 

-Invention Vineyards 2022 Vintage Riesling
 

-William Chris 2022 Chenin Blanc, Dell Valley
 

-Agusta Vin’s 2022 Reserve Montepulciano
 

-Becker Vineyards 2019 Barbera, Tallent Vineyard
 

-CL Butaud 2021 Grenache, Farmhouse Vineyards
 

-Chateau Wright 2020 Malbec “Point of Rocks”
 

-McPherson Cellars 2021 Counoise
 

-Messina Hof 2019 Paulo Sagrantino
 

-Pedernales Cellars 2020 Texas High Plains Grenache
 

-Skies Over Texas 2021 Mourvedre

Honorable Mentions:
 

Christoval Winery 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
 

Invention Vineyards 2021 Left Bank Bordeaux
 

Llano Estacado 2021 Artist Blend
 

Wedding Oak Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
 

Fly Gap Winery 2021 Tempranillo
 

Grape Creek Vineyards 2019 The Individualist
 

Bending Branch 2019 Tannat
 

Duchman Family Winery 2019 Montepulciano
 

Valley Mills Vineyards 2021 Grenache
 

Ab Astris 2019 Zinfandel
 

Pebble Rock 2020 Tempranillo
 

Portree Cellars 2021 Aglianico
 

Ron Yates 2019 Friesen
 

Bell Springs Winery 2020 Tempranillo
 

Lost Draw Cellars 2020 GSM
 

Sandstone Cellars 2019 XX111
 

Lewis Wines 2021 Chenin Blanc
 

Lost Draw Cellars 2022 Picpoul Blanc

GrapeFest People’s Choice Awards: Congrats to Messina Hof, Bull Lion Ranch, Silver Dollar Winery, Kiepersol, and Juniper Cove Winery for winning top honors.

Baron’s Creek Opening in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District. Read about it HERE

Pontotoc Vineyards to open Picnic Table in Hye

North Texas Wine Country Fall Passport Event

Texas Hill Country Wineries Fall Passport Event

Come to France with me in 2024! Read all about it here

Interview with Jackie Mancuso of Atlas Vineyard Management

Atlas Vineyard Management

Gold Stars

Demerit

Special Thanks

Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don’t forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!

Wine & Food Foundation

I’m so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.

Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus!
 

Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!