A TOAST ON THE HIGH PLAINS… THE “GIANT SIP” OF TEXAS

A TOAST ON THE HIGH PLAINS… THE “GIANT SIP” OF TEXAS

The 1st Annual Lubbock, Texas Wine Festival… “A TOAST ON THE HIGH PLAINS…THE GIANT SIP OF TEXAS”.   

When: November 6 thru 8, 2009 (Fri. – Sat. – Sun.)
Where: Louise Underwood Center for the Arts – Ave. K and Mac Davis Ln. (6th Street)
Why: To promote and celebrate the Texas Wine Country Experience and raise funds for several local groups.
 
Lubbock is a “natural” location for a wine festival and the festival itself should develop over the next few years into one of the Premier Wine Events in the State. Lubbock was where the heart beat of the modern Texas wine industry started with the formation of Llano Estacado, CapRock and Pheasant Ridge Wineries. The region holds the names of some of the most influential people in the Texas wine industry, such as Dr. Clinton “Doc” McPherson, founder of Llano Estacado Winery, and his son and renowned winemaker Kim McPherson, long-time preminum grape grower Neal Newsom, and Texas’ premier viticultural consultant, Bobby Cox.
 
On November 6-8, 2009, the citizens of Lubbock and West Texas introduce their first festival devoted to the growing Wine Industry of Texas, now the fifth largest in the nation.  Wineries from throughout the state (currently more than 20 participating) will showcase their products for a 3-day event. 

Attendees will taste wines from many wineries and vintages; and for the first time in Texas, these wineries will be allowed to sell their products on-site by the glass, bottle, and case direct to the public.  The festival begins Friday evening, Nov. 6 – (5:30 – 9:00), in conjunction with First Friday Art Trail, and continues Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 & 8 (11:00 – 5:00). 

The location is within the downtown “Arts District” area around the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts.  This exciting event will be held outdoors with twenty or more Texas wineries each sampling and selling many of their best vintages.

This fun and exciting event will be raising funds for several local groups including: Lubbock Meals on Wheels, Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, Sheriff’s Fallen Officer’s Fund, and others named at a later date!

There’s more than just wine too!  Live Music, Artist booths, food temptations, and even beer tastings from Lubbock’s own Triple J Chophouse and Brewery!

The festival is promoting the ever expanding and extremely important wine and grape experience of Texas.  There are over 180 wineries recognized in Texas.  Locally, 5 wineries from the Lubbock High Plains area will be the true features of the festival. 

Don Roark, of  CapRock winery, said “finally…it’s about time someone got this going.  We’re in!”  Along those same lines, Dusty Duke, tasting room manager for Llano Estacado said: “We’ve been participating in these events around the state for years, this will be a great event for Lubbock, and quite frankly,  a whole lotta fun!” 

Kim McPherson of  McPherson Cellars (Lubbock’s Newest) will be participating in the grand festival at the Underwood Center for the Arts and indicated,  “if possible, he would like also to provide a wine and food pairing event in conjunction with Lubbock’s Wine Festival, possibly at his own event center.  This is an indication of how the event is gaining momentum in Lubbock that was long a “dry” area where wine (and other alcoholic beverages) was not allowed to be sold.

Get Ready Lubbock!  Get Ready for Fantastic Texas Food, Great Artist, Exceptional entertainment, and wonderful Texas Wine… Wine… and More Wine!

Everyone is invited to attend; but, must be 21 or older to partake in tasting/purchasing.

Lubbock Winemaker Kim McPherson on the 2009 Grape Harvest and current projects:

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You can vote for Rubio, the worlds cutest Labradoodle, in his Halloween costume as Sherlock Homes complete with “hounds” tooth cape and deerstalker hat. He is trying to solve the “Lost Bone Mystery”. Go to: http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/inspector-rubio-sherlock-holmes-costume/