Texas Hill Country Wineries – December 2014 Newsletter
Reprinted by permission of Texas Hill Country Wineries (click here).
Holiday Wine Kick-0ff Tasting at Flat Creek Estate
Join us THIS Friday! Friday, December 5, 6-8pm – Hill Country tasting with Flat Creek Estate, Stone House Vineyard, Fall Creek Vineyard, Westcave Cellars and Perissos Vineyard. Tickets are only $25! Click here.
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Holiday Wine Trail
Less than 60 Tickets Available! The most coveted wine trail of the year is almost SOLD OUT! Get your tickets now for the 2014 Holiday Wine Trail, December 5-21. Click here.
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Inwood Estates offers Shuttle Service
Free shuttle service provided by Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro for Fredericksburg. Interested parties can call the winery for more information 830-997-2304. Reservations or appointments are recommended for all guests but advance notice is required for larger groups of 6 or more.
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** Don’t Drink & Drive **
Use a designated driver or one of our great, local tour and transportation partners. For more info on Limos & Tours, click here.
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Winemaker Profile – – Angela Moench, Stone House Vineyard
by Texas Wine Lover
Angela Moench is the co-owner and winemaker at Stone House Vineyard in Spicewood, Texas. At the winery is a vineyard with Norton grapes. Angela Moench is from the Barossa Valley of Australia and the wines at Stone House Vineyard showcase Australian wines in addition to Texas wines. We asked Angela Moench about her background and philosophy of winemaking.
Q: If you didn’t make wine, what would you do?
A: I’d probably have a larger garden as I enjoy the outdoor life so much, read more books, and definitely do something creative. I used to think I’d like to have a restaurant but I’ve certainly outgrown that idea.
Read the full interview with Angela at Texas Wine Lover (click here).
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Wine Cocktails of the Month – Drinks with The Drakes
I Don’t Bake-Tini
– 1 oz William Chris Dessert Roussanne – 1 oz Praline Original Pecan Liqueur – 1/2 oz Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka – 1 oz Fat Free Whipping Cream * – Smuckers Sugar Free Caramel Sundae – Syrup* – William Chris Cocoa Almonds – Nutmeg – Martini Shaker – Ice
*I used Fat Free cream & Sugar Free options to cut calories, and it’s what I had on hand. It was delicious…but use what you like!
Pour Roussanne, Praline Liqueur, Whipped Vodka and Cream over ice in a chilled Martini shaker. Shaken or stirred is up to you…I prefer swirled! Carefully coat the rim of your Martini glass in Caramel, then into the Crushed Nuts. Pour cocktail into glass and top with fresh grated Nutmeg.
Hye Society Holiday Nog
– 1 part William Chris Dessert Roussanne – 1 part Southern Comfort Vanilla Spice – Eggnog – Splash 7-Up – Smuckers Fat Free Caramel Sundae Syrup – William Chris Cocoa Almonds – Cinnamon – Nutmeg – Ice (optional)
Carefully coat the rim of your Martini glass in Caramel, then into the Crushed Nuts. Add a small amount of ice as to not water it down. Pour in Roussanne and Eggnog. Splash with 7-Up and top with Cinnamon and Fresh Nutmeg!
Twice as nice for the Holidays, two drinks for the price of one! Our dear friends at William Chris asked us to mix up a cocktail for the holidays. I made one you can enjoy in their tasting room, and one you can buy a bottle to make at home. Time and I wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season…Don’t Drake and Drive! Seasons Greetings ~ The Drakes
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Classifieds
Dry Comal Creek Vineyard, Event Coordinator – This full-time position will work with Managemet & Customers to promote, sell & book, coordinate & execute all events at the winery (winery sponsored & 3rd party). This full-time position will be responsible for all pre-planning activities, scheduling & execution. This position will also have input into customer engagement & outreach program planning. For more info & to submit resume, contact sabrina@drycomalcreek.com
Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro, Part-time Bistro & Tasting Room – Now seeking part-time Saturday help in the Bistro & Tasting Room. Interested candidates should contact Vinny at inwoodfbg@gmail.com or 830-997-2304.
Messina Hof Hill Country, Assistant Tasting Room Manager & Tasting Room Associates – For more information & to apply, Click here.
Texas Wine Trail Member Wineries
4.0 Cellars, Alamosa Wine Cellars, Becker Vineyards, Bell Springs Winery, Bending Branch Winery, Chisholm Trail Winery, Compass Rose Cellars, Driftwood Estate Winery, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery, Fall Creek Vineyards, Fiesta Winery, Fiesta Winery Fredericksburg, Flat Creek Estate, Flat Creek Enoteca Marble Falls, Fredericksburg Winery, Grape Creek Vineyards, Hye Meadow Winery, Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro, Kerrville Hills Winery, Lewis Wines, McReynolds Winery, Messina Hof Hill Country, Pedernales Cellars, Perissos Vineyards & Winery, Pillar Bluff Vineyards, Pontotoc Vineyard, Rancho Ponte Vineyard, Santa Maria Cellars, Singing Water Vineyards, Sister Creek Vineyards, Solaro Estate, Spicewood Vineyards, Stone House Vineyard, Texas Hills Vineyard, Texas Legato Winery, Torre di Pietra Vineyards, Wedding Oak Winery, Westcave Cellars Winery, William Chris Vineyards, Wimberley Valley Winery, Woodrose Winery.
Click here for more info.
Wine Awards & Recognition
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition, Top Texas Wine – Driftwood Estate Winery Longhorn Red, Texas 2012
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition, Best Herd of Texas Winery – Messina Hof Winery; Reserve Champion White Wine – Hye Meadow Winery, 2013 Gewurztraminer; Becker Vineyards – 8 medals, Brennan Vineyards (4.0 Cellars)- 4 medals, Driftwood Estate- 6 medals, Duchman Family Winery- 6 medals, Fall Creek Vineyard- 5 medals, Fiesta Winery- 2 medals, Flat Creek Estate- 3 medals, Hye Meadow Winery- 14 medals, Kerrville Hills Winery- 7 medals, Messina Hof Hill Country- 27 medals, Pedernales Cellars- 2 medals, Perissos Vineyard- 6 medals, Rancho Ponte Vineyard- 2 medals, Singing Water Vineyards- 4 medals, Spicewood Vineyard- 4 medals, Stone House Vineyard- 1 medal, Texas Hills Vineyard- 6 medals, Texas Legato- 2 medals, Wedding Oak Winery- 6 medals, Westcave Cellars Winery- 3 medals, William Chris Vineyards- 5 medals
Texas Monthly Top 5 Texas Tempranillos – Alamosa Wine Cellars, El Guapo Tempranillo 2011; Spicewood Vineyards Estate Tempranillo 2012; Pedernales Cellars Reserve Tempranillo 2012 & Texas Tempranillo 2012
Spicewood Vineyard – New York World Wine & Spirits Comp – Gold- 2013 TX High Plains Roussanne, Silver- 2012 High Plains Tempranillo, Bronze- 2012 Estate Tempranillo
December Winery Events
5th – 21st – Holiday Wine Trail at all 42 wineries
2nd – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
3rd – Wine Profiling Workshop: Understanding Champagne & Sparkling Wine & Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
4th – Ladies Night Out at Texas Hills Vineyard – Rustic Wine Diner & Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
5th – Holiday Wine Kick-off Tasting – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – First Friday! at Stone House Vineyard – Texas Hills Vineyard at Fredericksburg Christmas Parade – Baby Back Rib Night with Live Music at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro – Holiday Painting & Wine Party at Messina Hof Hill Country
6th – Pontotoc Vineyard Wein Halle in FBG – Baby Back Ribs & Guitarist Bobby Beal at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro – Saturday Food Vendor, Live Music & VIP “Wine Library” Cellar & Barrel Tasting at Becker Vineyards – Live Music by Ryan Morris at Singing Water Vineyards – Live Music at Bell Springs Winery – Live Music Under the Pavilion at Torre di Pietra – Live Music Saturday at Pedernales Cellars – Private Reserve Tasting & Live Music at William Chris Vineyards – Book Signing by Chef Ross Burtwell at Texas Hills Vineyard – Live Music at Fiesta Winery FBG 290 – Smokin’ Rose of Texas BBQ & Live Music by Jeff Wood at Grape Creek Vineyards – Holiday Wine Couture at Solaro Estate – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
7th – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Happy Sunday! at Kerrville Hills Winery – Holiday Wine Couture at Solaro Estate – Sunday Music at Becker Vineyards – Wine & Chocolate Pairing at Messina Hof Hill Country – Live Music by Jeff Wood at Grape Creek Vineyards – Sunday Music at Westcave Cellars – Wine Profiling Workshop: Misconceptions of Sweet & Dessert Wine at Flat Creek Estate
9th, 10th – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
11th – Rustic Wine Dinner & Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
12th – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Holiday Wine Couture at Solaro Estate – Baby Back Rib Night with Live Music at Inwood Estates Winery &Bistro
13th – Crepes by Crepe Nation & Live Music by Lonnie Lett at Grape Creek Vineyards – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Winery U! Cabernet – The King of Reds at Dry Comal Creek Vineyards – Live Music at Fiesta Winery FBG 290 – Private Reserve Tasting & Live Music at William Chris Vineyards – Terry Thompson-Anderson Book Signing at Texas Hills Vineyard – VIP “Wine Library” Cellars & Barrel Tasting, Live Music & Food Vendor at Becker Vineyards – Live Music Saturday at Pedernales Cellars – Live Music Under the Pavilion at Torre di Pietra – 2nd Saturday Concert featuring Shan & Annie at Singing Water Vineyards – Live Music featuring Brad Blackburn at Kerrville Hills Winery – Live Music at Bell Springs Winery – Baby Back Ribs & Guitarist Bobby Beal at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro – Holiday Dinner! at Stone House Vineyard – Pontotoc Vineyard Wein Halle in FBG
14th – Live Music by Lonnie Lett at Grape Creek Vineyard – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Happy Sunday! at Kerrville Hills Winery – Sunday Music at Becker Vineyards – Dave Lewis from Spicewood Food Company at Texas Hills Vineyard – Sunday Music at Westcave Cellars Winery
16th – Fights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
17th – Wine Profiling Workshop: Misconceptions of Sweet & Dessert Wine & Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
18th – Rustic Wine Dinner & Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
19th – Fights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Holiday Wine Couture at Solaro Estate – Baby Back Rib Night with Live Music at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro
20th – Pontotoc Vineyard Wein Halle in FBG – Baby Back Ribs & Guitarist Bobby Beal at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro – Saturday Food Vendor, Live Music & VIP “Wine Library” Cellar & Barrel Tasting at Becker Vineyards – Live Music at Bell Springs Winery – Live Music featuring Acoustic Jungle at Kerrville Hills Winery – Live Music Under the Pavilion at Torre di Pietra – Private Reserve Tasting & Live Music at William Chris Vineyards – Live Music at Fiesta Winery FBG 290 – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
21st – Live Music by Derek Spence at Grape Creek Vineyards – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Happy Sunday! at Kerrville Hills Winery – Sunday Music at Becker Vineyards – Wine & Pie Pairing at Messina Hof Hill Country – Sunday Music at Westcave Cellars Winery
23rd, 24th – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
25th – Merry Christmas!
26th – Baby Back Rib Night with Live Music at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
27th – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca – Live Music at Fiesta Winery FBG 290 – Private Reserve Tasting & Live Music at William Chris Vineyards – VIP “Wine Library” Cellar & Barrel Tasting, Live Music & Food Vendor at Becker Vineyards – Live Music Under the Pavilion at Torre di Pietra – Live Music at Bell Springs Winery – Baby Back Ribs & Guitarist Bobby Beal at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro – Pontotoc Vineyard Wein Halle in FBG
28th – Sunday Music at Westcave Cellars – Live Music by Jeff Wood at Grape Creek Vineyards – Wine & Cheese Pairing at Messina Hof Hill Country – Sunday Music at Becker Vineyards – Happy Sunday! at Kerrville Hills Winery – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
30th, 31st – Flights & Bites at Flat Creek Enoteca
Happy New Year!
For more information on these events visit Winery Events (click here).
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Words to Sip By….
“The Texas Hill Country offers the complete wine country experience” including the genuine look and feel of what serious wine travelers have come to expect: quality wine yet something more…a beautiful setting that conveys ambiance and the region’s “sense of place”.
-Russ Kane, Vintage Texas
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