Welcome to the Texas Wine Scene Podcast. The most up-to-date information to help
you prepare for your wine tasting weekend. I'm Mike, your Texas Wine Scene
correspondent, bringing you all the wine happenings in and around the great state
of Texas. From the high plains to the hill country. If you love Texas wine, you've
come to the right place. Let's take a trip.
Thank you for joining us on the Texas Wine Scene Podcast. I'm your host, your
Texas Wine Scene correspondent, Mike Cole, bringing you all the wine
happenings in and around the great state of Texas. If you are a subscriber to the
podcast, thank you so much for returning and tuning into this week's episode. And
if you are new to the podcast, thank you for stopping by to check us out. We are
an information-based podcast supporting and sharing wine events, tastings, and
industry news from around the great state of Texas. So I hope you enjoyed the
content and if you do, please consider subscribing and sharing the podcast with
all your wine-loving friends. It helps to continue to spread the word about the
podcast and keeps everyone informed about current wine related events. Also,
please follow me on my socials at Texas Wine Scene on Instagram and Texas Wine
Scene on Facebook where you will see all the posts about upcoming events for the
weekend. This week's episode sip is another fantastic wine from a Sina
Hoff. It's their 2020 Artist Series Grenache from the Texas High Plains. This
is a medium-bodied dry red wine that has deliciously refined tannins with subtle
herbal notes. So pick up a bottle of this wine at one of Sina Hoff's four
locations, the one in Bryan College Station, Great Vine, Harvest Green, and the
Texas Hill Country. We're gonna jump right into the events for the weekend
because there are a lot of events to cover this weekend so let's go.
The weather for the weekend in the High Plains wine growing region will have
high temperatures of 74 degrees with low temperatures of 42 degrees. The North
Texas wine growing region will have high temperatures of 80 degrees with low
temperatures of 59 degrees. The West Texas wine growing region will have high
temperatures of 70 degrees with low temperatures of 43 degrees. The Texas
Hill Country wine growing region will have high temperatures of 78 degrees with
low temperatures of 58 degrees and the Gulf Coast wine growing region will have
high temperatures of 80 degrees with low temperatures of 71 degrees. This week we
continue our series on the Transpecos AVAs in West Texas but before we dive in
let's recap on what an AVA is. An American Federal Culture Area also known as an AVA
is a designated area that has a unique geography or climate that distinguishes
itself from other surrounding areas. The federal government must approve a
formal application for an AVA and agree to boundaries defining the region with
unique characteristics such as temperature, geology, soil composition and
elevation. It's common for an AVA to be named after a geological feature of the
area such as a mountain or a river. The goal of an AVA is to distinguish
specific wine growing regions to help growers, wineries and wine enthusiasts
better understand where their favorite wines come from. The Escondido Valley
AVA is located in West Texas near Fort Stockton just off I-10. This AVA was
established in 1992 and covers approximately 32,000 acres of silty
clay loam and limestone soils. The Escondido Valley AVA was the fifth
appellation introduced in Texas. Great varieties grown in the Escondido Valley
include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and
Columbard. There are no wineries currently located within the Escondido Valley AVA.
However, the largest winery that used to produce wine from this AVA was the St.
Genevieve winery from grapes grown at the Mesa Vineyard. Mesa Vineyard owners of
St. Genevieve filed bankruptcy in 2022 and unfortunately seized operations. So
tune in next week as we finish our series on the West Texas Transpecos
Ava's with the Macia Valley AVA. Up next your wine events for the weekend.
Join the Texas Wine Collective on April 6th for their special wine and food
pairing of Little Debbie Snack Cakes. These tasty wines and food pairings are a
memorable and relaxing way to learn more about their wines while sampling
seasonal food and snack items. Your host for the pairing will thoroughly
explain each wine and how they pair the wine and food items. There are four
sessions to choose from beginning at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 30 and 4 p.m. For more
information on this event visit their website at TexasWineCollective.com
Becker Vineyards is back with their very popular educational experiences on
Saturday April 6th from 12 to 1 30 p.m. Becker Vineyards has partnered with
Riedel the wine glass company who has revolutionized the glassware industry
since 1756. They are the only company to create a complete line of a
Rytle specific wine glasses designed to help enhance the experience of enjoying
your glass of wine. Guests will learn how and why to pair your favorite wine
with the perfect glass. Utilizing a set of three Riedel wine glasses you will
taste through some of Becker Vineyards award-winning wines to demonstrate the
dramatic relationship between the wine and its vessel. For more information on
this event visit their website at BeckerVineyards.com. Are you ready for
another murder mystery event? We'll come out to join Messina Hoff and Brian on
Friday April 5th from 6 30 to 9 30 p.m. Step into ancient Rome's thrilling
night of gladiator spectacles and political intrigue. Felix Festus
Atlanta's their vine for public favor and a Senate seat offers his gladiators
up for an exhibition. While no lives will be taken in the ring one Roman will
take their last breath at the party. It's up to you to uncover the guilty in
the murder mystery. Defend your innocence and unravel the secrets of
dishonor, pride, and a quest for power. This sounds like a fantastic event. So for
more information on this event visit their website at MessinaHoff.com. Join
Dry Comel Creek Vineyards for their Artisan sourdough workshop on Saturday
April 6th from 11 to 2 p.m. Whether you are seasoned or aspiring cook, looking to
up your culinary game, or just learn about the basics, this is the event for
you. Nicole Flowers passion for cooking is contagious and her style of teaching
brings out the inner chef and everyone. So head on out and learn the art of
bacon sourdough bread while enjoying a delicious glass of dry comel creek wine.
For more information on this event visit their website at drycomelcreekvignards.com.
Come celebrate the West Texas wine industry at Lubbock Uncorked on April
6th from 1 to 6 p.m. at the American Windmill Museum in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock
Uncorked celebrates the culture of grape growing and winemaking in Lubbock and
surrounding areas. Attendees will learn more about the wine industry through
multiple class offerings while tasting wine from the Lubbock area as well as
across the state. This event is a great opportunity to network with winemakers
as well as other small businesses and professionals while tasting amazing
wine, food, beer, and listen to music from some of Lubbock's favorite local
musicians. For more information and ticket purchases for this event visit
LubbockChamber.com. Join Enoch Stomp's vineyards and winery in Harleton, Texas on
Saturday April 6th at 10 30 a.m. for their 5k fun run. This run winds through
the Enoch Stomp's gorgeous vineyards followed by relaxing time to wind down
with a glass of Enoch Stomp's vino. Guests can run, walk solo, or join a team
whichever you choose to do you'll have a great time. For more information on this
event visit their website at Enoch Stomp.com. Join the Mythlothian Chamber
of Commerce for their wine arts and craft brew festival on April 6th in
downtown Mythlothian from 2 to 8 p.m. This is a rain or shine event. There will be
local artisans and vendors, community organizations, kids activities, live
music, and food trucks. With your ticket purchase you will receive a wine tasting
tote that contains a wine glass, 10 wine tasting tickets, and solar eclipse
glasses. Beer bags contain six craft brew tasting tickets, a beer shooter, and
solo eclipse glasses as well. For more information and ticket purchases to this
event visit their website at mythlothianchamber.org. Get ready to
indulge in a spectacular afternoon at Sippin' in the Sunshine on April 6th
from 2 to 5 p.m. Prepare your taste buds for an adventure as you sip and savor
your way through a selection of beer, wine, and food pairings. Groove to the
beats of Zach Webb while you explore the atmosphere of Comanche Market Days.
Your admission ticket includes 15 beers or wine tasting tickets, a Govino wine
cup, and a tote. Elevate your experience with a VIP ticket which includes 15 beer
or wine tasting tickets, 15 food sample tickets, a Govino wine cup, a wine bag,
and a tote. For more information visit their website at ComancheChamber.org.
Join Wembley Valley Winery on Saturday April 6th at 7 p.m. for their free
concert under the stars with the Wembley Valley Big Band. Wembley Valley Big Band
is an ensemble consisting of volunteers who love to play Big Band era music as
well as light jazz all from the surrounding Hill Country communities.
If you'd like to listen to the Big Band sounds of Count Basie, Glenn Miller,
Quincy Jones, Buddy Rich, and many others this is the night for you. Wine, beer, and
food will be available for purchase throughout the night. A percentage of the
proceeds will be donated to the band and their scholarship fund for aspiring
musicians at Wembley High School. For more information on this event visit
their website at WembleyValleyWine.com. Head on out to the State Theater in
downtown Gainesville, Texas for the Gainesville Wine Stroll event on Saturday
April 6th from 1 to 7 p.m. Experience the allure of the quaint boutiques and
shops in historic downtown Gainesville as they proudly present a wine tasting
event showcasing 15 award-winning wineries from North Texas. Your ticket
purchase includes wine tastings from a variety of Texas wineries, a souvenir
wine glass for tastings, and a reusable six-bottle wine carrier. Wineries that
will be serving wine at this event include RK winery, for our ranch vineyards
and winery, Landon winery, OG Sellers, Hidden Hanger winery, Edge of the Lake
Vineyards and winery, Deshane Sellers, Firelight Vineyards, Cooley Bay winery,
Canyon River winery, Lonesome Vine winery and vineyards, Rio to Red, Texas winery,
Wall Street winery, Bayamia family winery and Divine Wine. For more information
about this event visit their website at GainesvilleWineStroll.com. Join
Bernhardt winery on Saturday April 6th from 12 to 6 p.m. for an afternoon
dedicated to all your chocolate, strawberry and wine cravings. Taste
delicate white chocolates, creamy milk chocolates and lively bold tones of dark
chocolates from local chocolatiers perfectly paired with Bernhardt's
award-winning wines. After enjoying bites perfectly complimented by newly
released Bernhardt wines, guests are welcome to relax and enjoy an afternoon of
live music, vineyard train rides and shop from local artisan market vendors on
the lawn. Featured wine pairing chocolatiers include rum cake sweet
bakes, chocolates by Jean, chocolate passion, MB chocolatiers and jet set
chocolates. The schedule of events for the afternoon are wine pairings and
chocolate fountain from 12 to 5 p.m., live music from 1 to 5 p.m., vineyard
train rides happens from 12 to 5 p.m. and the artisan market goes from 12 to 6 p.m.
For more information on this event visit their website at Bernhardt winery.com
Head on now to Moody Family Wines on Saturday April 6th from 1 to 9 p.m. to
help them celebrate their eighth anniversary. They will have delicious
Moody Family Wines, food truck and prizes every hour. Enjoy live music by Shane
Andrew, Angelo Lopez, Tommy Joe and Kim Ewing. For more information on this
celebratory event visit moodyfamilywines.com. Come out and enjoy the
fun at the annual Spring Mason Arts and Wine Festival on Saturday April 6th
from 11 to 4 p.m. Experience the totality of art, wine and music in the
downtown square in Mason, Texas. During the Eclipse weekend you can spend your
day strolling the sidewalks for the Mason Arts and Wine Festival and enjoy a
free classical music performance in the evening at the Odeon Theater for the
eighth annual Mason Chamber Music Festival. They have a pretty sweet setup
there in Mason with arts, crafts and wine tastings all under the canopies over
the sidewalks and around the square. Choose from paintings, ceramics,
photography, jewelry, fiber art, hand-woven items and much much more. For
more information on this event visit the official page of the Mason Arts and Wine
Festival. KD, Texas' most beloved and original wine and culinary event is
celebrating their 27th edition of the Katie Sip and Stroll on Saturday April 6th
at the Arc by the Norris Event Center. This bi-annual event offers locals a
fantastic evening enjoying and discovering culinary creations from top
Katie-area restaurants. Over 100 wine selections, craft beer and select craft
spirits. You don't have to be a connoisseur to appreciate the plethora of
beverage options available at this event. Enthusiastic representatives are
trained to focus on the discovery and education behind each wine and craft beer
served. General admission to the Katie Sip and Stroll premier culinary and wine
event includes engaging culinary displays, live music, 300 beverages, 30 plus
restaurants and artisan vendors. Upgrade to the VIP ticket purchase and enjoy the
premium lounge area with entry into the event one hour ahead of the crowd at
5 p.m. specialty VIP only wines and food selections in the VIP area. For more
information and ticket purchases visit sip and stroll.com. Get ready to spice
up your weekend with the Cajun Wine and Beer Fest at Splashway Campground in
Sheridan, Texas on Saturday April 6th from 12 to 5 p.m. They are bringing
together the best of local wineries, breweries and vendors for a taste of
Louisiana flavor right here in Texas. Bayou Rue will keep the beat with their
Zotico tunes that will make you feel like you're partying right there on the
banks of the Mississippi. This will be a day of sipping, shopping and soaking in
the Cajun vibes. This is a family-friendly event so bring the whole crew.
They will have activities to keep the kids busy while you kick back and enjoy
the flavors of the bayou. So don't miss out on the Cajun Wine and Beer Fest
because it's going to be a party you won't forget. For more information on
this event visit splashway.com. The Sip City Wine Fest is happening this
weekend at the Lowbrow Palace in El Paso, Texas on Saturday April 6th from 1
to 8 p.m. There will be over 50 wine selections of the best wineries and
vineyards for you to savor as well as live music and food. Bring your wine
loving friends and enjoy a day of swirling, sipping and celebrating all
things wine. For more information on this event and ticket purchase visit
ctickets.us and that's your wine events for the weekend. Stay tuned for your
music lineup up next.
Ares Ale Vineyards leaps into the music lineup for the weekend with the gully
jumpers on stage Sunday April 7th from 1 to 4 p.m. Bell Springs winery will have
Beth Lea on stage Saturday April 6th from 3 to 6 p.m. Benny Grant winery will
hold Shane Stumpf on stage Sunday April 7th from 2 to 5 p.m. Blue Lotus winery
and Sigeen will have Bob Crocker on stage Friday April 5th from 5 to 8 p.m. The
Texas Wine Collector will let Tracy Lynn grace the stage on Saturday April 6th
from 1 to 5 p.m. Fiesta Winery on 290 will have Fallon Franklin on stage
Saturday April 6th from 3 to 6 p.m. Fiesta Winery at the Bend location will
let Brian Gross assume the musical duties on Saturday April 6th from 1 to 4
p.m. Texas Heritage Vineyards will host Adi Kate Joyner on stage Friday April
5th from 2 to 4 p.m. Dry Comal Creek Vineyards will let James Hearn rock the
house on Saturday April 6th from 2 to 5 p.m. William Chris Vineyards has a
spectacular music lineup for the weekend beginning with Jenny Dale Lord on stage
featuring Christopher Wright on Friday April 5th from 1 to 4 p.m. Hunter
Billingsley will take the musical baton and hit the stage on Saturday April 6th
from 1 to 4 p.m. and Jenny Dale Lord will complete the music set featuring
Jack Nelson on Sunday April 7th from 1 to 4 p.m. Perl Nala Sellers will have Josh
Peek on stage Saturday April 6th from 1 to 6 p.m. Torna Lockswell hosts Wake
Eastman on stage Saturday April 6th from 2 to 5 p.m. Los Pinos Vineyards will have
April in Smith on stage Friday April 5th from 6 to 9 p.m. followed by Danny
Hollis on stage Saturday April 6th from 6 to 9 p.m. as well. Triple-In Ranch
Winery is having a tribute concert featuring music from the likes of
Genesis Journey and Phil Collins on Saturday April 6th from 645 to 915 p.m.
Bernhardt Winey we will let Kid 6 rock out on Saturday April 6th from 1 to 5 p.m.
They will also have a Queen tribute on Sunday April 7th from 5 to 7 p.m.
Taysha Vineyards will have the very talented Jessica Callahan on stage
Saturday April 6th from 4 to 7 p.m. West Sandy Creek Winey will have Ray
Cashman on stage Saturday April 6th from 4 to 7 p.m. and Emily Cole on Sunday April
7th from 2 to 5 p.m. Red Caboose Winey will have Kyle Red on stage Saturday
April 6th from 2 to 5 p.m. Barron's Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg will have
Jeff Wood on stage Saturday April 6th from 1 to 4 p.m. Dove Ridge Winey will
host Steve Sielinski on stage Saturday April 6th from 2 to 5 p.m. Lost Oak
Winery is having a concert on the lawn event featuring one last remedy on
Saturday April 6th from 6 to 9 p.m. and Parmesan Wines will close out the
musical lineup for the weekend with Jack Carson on stage Saturday April 6th
from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by Beth Lee on Sunday April 7th from 2 to 5 p.m. and
that's your music lineup for the weekend. Stay tuned for Did You Know?
I mentioned early in the episode that this is a big weekend for solo eclipse
watch parties throughout the state and especially in the Texas Hill Country. As
we anticipate the moon passing between the earth and the sun obscuring the view
of the sun from the earth in totality it reminds me of the effects of science in
wine growing. One branch of science in the wine industry is intimately involved
in the scientific philosophy of the cosmos and that is biodynamic winemaking.
Biodynamic viticulture and winemaking is a system that ultimately believes in the
farming with nature rather than relying on man-made interferences. The key to
this system is to see the whole vineyard as a single living organism. These moon
centric principles were established in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner an Austrian
philosopher and scientist. Steiner believed you can grow a crop without external
inputs such as fertilizers or pesticides by coordinating their soil
treatments with the lunar calendar and its cosmic rhythms. But did you know that
the impact of the moon on the ebb and flow of the tide is scientifically
recognized? When the moon approaches the earth it pulls the ocean toward the sky.
Due to the moon's ability to exert that type of pulling force on the earth's
oceans many biodynamic farmers believe that the plant sap rises up the branches
when the moon is waxing and descends to the roots when the moon is waning. You're
probably asking yourself based on the philosophy of not using pesticides or
fertilizers what types of materials are used to spray the vineyards to promote
health and protect against disease right? Well here's where the philosophy
gets a bit quirky. Followers of biodynamic winemaking use sprays called
preparations. Here are a few examples of preparations used. Preparation 500. A
humus mixture prepared by filling cow's horns with cow manure and burying it
underground in the autumn. It is left decomposed during the winter and
recovered for use as fertilizer the following spring. Preparation 502.
Yarrow blossoms stuffed into the urinary bladder from red deer and placed in the
sun during summer, buried in the ground during the winter and retrieved in the
spring. And preparation 503. Chamomile blossoms stuffed into the small
intestines of a cattle, buried in humus rich earth in the autumn and retrieved
in the spring. So whether you believe in Rudolf Steiner's philosophy on
biodynamic viticulture it does seem to guide grape growers in the best and
healthiest farming practices that are beneficial to both the earth and the
people who inhabit it. But for now we'll just have to gaze into the moon and the
stars and marvel at the mystery behind the cosmos. Well that would do it for
this week's episode. Thank you for joining me. I'm Mike Cole, your Texas Wine Scene
correspondent and I look forward to seeing you next time on Texas Wine Scene. Cheers!
For more in-depth information on the wineries mentioned in this episode visit
the Texas Wine Lover website at txwinelover.com or the Texas Wine Lover
app. There you will be able to find a vast amount of information about Texas
wineries and wine related businesses. You can also search for information such as
winery hours, grape varieties, food options, pet and kid friendly wineries and
much much more. So visit their website at txwinelover.com. That's txwinelover.com.
Also please leave us a review and share the podcast with all your wine loving
friends. Cheers!
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