Whole Foods launches Duchman wines on tap! A new first in Texas wine history!
December 18, 2010, By Do Bianchi [on DuchmanFamilyWinery.com]
Organic and natural foods pioneer Whole Foods Market officially began offering its shoppers Duchman Family wines on tap yesterday at its Highland Park and Park Lane locations in Dallas, Texas. Duchman Family winemaker Dave Reilly (above, left) joined Whole Foods Market “Specialty Coordinator for the South West Region” Devon Broglie (right) to sign bottles and talk to guests at both locations, marking the first time a Texas wine has been sold on tap (in keg).
Whole Foods first began selling wine on tap in March of this year, offering its patrons Californian wines. But it didn’t take long for tastemaker and trailblazer Broglie (a Court of Master Sommeliers candidate) to approach winemaker Reilly about reserving some of his award-winning wines to be stored in keg especially for the innovative Whole Foods project. Together, they have made history as the first to offer Texas wine-lovers the opportunity to taste Texas-grown and Texas-made wines using an environmentally friendly delivery system.
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VintageTexas Comment: This is a great day for Texas wine drinkers for several reasons. Most of all, these are excellent wines that are in balance with our state’s Mediterranean climate. Whole Foods has chosen two Tex-Med wines to have on tap: the Duchman Vermentino (made from a white mediterranean grape) and their Montepulciano (a red Italian grape). Secondly, this is noteworthy because it’s innovative to sell wine on tap. On tap is even better than having it sold by the glass when an open bottle of wine can set around for a day or more before you get your pour of wine. In this case, its protected from the air while it waits patiently in a cool dark keg until it is delivered to your glass where it will take its first breath.
Devon and Dave, please bring your Texas wine kegs down to Houston’s growing number of Whole Foods Markets. By next year I will be pretty much equally spaced between two Whole Foods: one on Kirby and West Alabama and the other at West Dallas and Waugh. Ok guys, pick one and tell me when to show up!
@Russ thanks for reposting this! It is a truly great day for Texas wine. I was thrilled to be a part of it (however peripherally!). Thanks! Merry Christmas!