Year: 2026

Tempranillo

Has Texas Finally Evolved Past Tempranillo and Viognier? The Results from the 2026 Texas Vintners Cup Says Yes!

October 12, 2026 admin 0

Around 2005 to 2010, the first two grape varieties from warmer European climes that started showing up in the Texas winners’ circle were Tempranillo and Viognier. In some conversations, these grape varieties even took on the moniker of being “The Grape Varieties for Texas” and I’ve even heard someone call them, “The National Grape Varieties of Texas”. But, wait there more to Texas wine than just these two grapes. […]

Old Vines

Where Are The Really ‘Old Vines’ in Texas?

October 8, 2026 admin 0

Well, in most cases and places, the term “Old Vine” on a wine bottle really has no actual meaning, at least one that is sanctioned by the federal agency that regulates wine labeling in the US. “Old Vine” falls into a similar category of wine lingo like the word “Reserve”. These types of terms literally mean nothing or anything the winemaker or winery owner wants them to mean. But, it you really want to determine the age of the vines… From what point in time do you start counting years to determine the age of grapevines? […]

Texas wine

Texas High Plains and Hill Country Are Like Washington State’s East and West, But Different

September 14, 2026 admin 0

Texas and Washington State have in common is that both regions make it just about impossible to make generalizations. While Washington does have its Cabs, Merlots, Chardonnays and Rieslings, you can also find wonderful Touriga Nacional and white Rhone blends. Texas, known for its Tempranillo, Aglianico and Roussanne, has from time to time come up with award winning Chardonnay and Cabernet in major international wine competitions. […]

Brunello

Brunello di Montalcino: What’s in a Name and in a Glass? A Casanova di Neri Tasting

August 29, 2026 admin 0

There are two important words in this wine’s name: “Brunello” and “di Montalcino”. In the many years of my wine writing, I have found that many people, even those that are solid wine drinkers and have consumed this wine, do not really know what this means. Let’s take it one word at the time then stop to have a taste of one of my favorites, Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino… plus a Casanova di Neri Tasting […]

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival Partners with Southern Smoke Foundation to Help Hill Country Hospitality Workers

August 13, 2026 admin 0

….This allows the Hospitality Worker Emergency Fund to offers broader eligibility and new mental health resources

It was just announced that the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce Events Foundation, producer of the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival (FFWF) has formed a new partnership with the Southern Smoke Foundation (SSF) to expand support available through its Hill Country Hospitality Worker Emergency Relief Fund (HCH Relief Fund). […]

Cabernet Franc

Heath Family Brands’ Wines Rocked It at the 23rd Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition

August 4, 2026 admin 0

Heath Family Brands wowed the judges in a recent competition. Owner Brian Heath admits what evolved inside him from his start at Grape Creek Vineyards to the present, saying “My entrepreneurial vision has become much bigger than anything I ever anticipated.”
The Domain of Heath Family Brands: “Texas and Beyond”
Now marketing under the heading ‘Heath Family Brands’, Brian Heath has corralled seven brands that span from the Texas’s hill country and high plains to some of the most hallowed vineyard locations in California. […]