Texas Vineyards Episodes

Tom and Whitney Kilgore of 5 Fifty-Five Vineyard and Winery in Valley View join me for this episode. They're building something special in the Texoma AVA. But first, listen to the latest Texas wine news. I'm sharing harvest updates, personnel moves, and the amazing Texas wine results from Decanter World Wine Awards in London. Plus, wineries opening and closing and a preview of the Texas wine offerings at this month's TEXSOM conference. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

Today's guest is Garrett Strickler, vineyard manager at Salt Lick Vineyards and wine director at Salt Lick Cellars. We talk about regenerative agriculture, what makes Salt Lick Vineyards such a prime spot for viticulture, and why Texas Hill Country rose should be on your list. In Texas wine news, I'll discuss the plans for the first ever Hill Country Wine Camp, share fun news about another Texas winery using alternative packaging, and announce TEXSOM conference dates. Cheers to all of the fun Texas wine events happening this spring and summer!

My guest for this episode is Fran Pontasch, who along with co-authors Drs Russ Kane and Justin Scheiner, is writing a book about the most planted white grape variety in Texas, Blanc Du Bois. No other state has embraced Blanc Du Bois as warmly as Texas, and we will talk about all the reasons why. You'll also hear Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines discussing Swim Spot, his very popular effervescent wine made from Blanc Du Bois. In Texas wine news, I'll discuss Maryam Ahmed's new article for Bon Appetit that's getting people talking about drinking local, not just eating local. Plus, there's some troubling news about bankruptcy filings by two wine companies in Texas. And it's time to enter the Vintners Cup competition. Finally, I've got some tickets to give away for both Hill Country and North Texas events. Listen to find out how to enter. Cheers!

My guest on this episode is Chase Jones, co-owner and general manager of Slate Theory Winery in Fredericksburg. Maybe you've seen Slate Theory's provocative wine labels or heard about the incredible cave. But I've learned that there's much more to Slate Theory than that. In our interview, you'll hear about Slate Theory's dedication to Texas viticulture, the artistry of their winemakers David and Tyler, and their desire to be a safe place to start a conversation around mental health. In Texas wine news, TEXSOM Awards results are out, and Texas wineries did quite well. Plus, several new tasting room are in the works for Fredericksburg, and there's one winery rebranding that caught my attention. Finally, I've got a ticket giveaway for the Texas Hill Country Wineries Road Show in Houston on May 8. Listen to find out how to enter! Cheers y'all!

On episode 112, I sit down with Janet and Mark Miertschin, owners of Portree Cellars in the Texas Hill Country. This boutique winery has been very well received by critics and guests since opening two years ago. Listen to find out how Mark and Janet's many skills create something special at Portree Cellars. But first, Texas wine news includes a weather situation, plans for a major North Texas winery to open its first "destination vineyard", international recognition for several wineries, and more. Thanks for listening! Cheers ya'll!

On episode 111, listen for the latest Texas wine news, including plans for Austin Wine Week, new tasting rooms coming to the Hill Country, and an article focusing on low alcohol wines. Then I visited Torr Na Lochs in Burnet for a conversation with Blake DeBerry and Colby O'Brien. I'm excited to share the new Viticulture & Enology project that's going on at Texas Tech University and highlights from Blake's recent term as President of Texas Hill Country Wineries. Plus, this episode includes a return of Demerits and Gold Stars! Thanks for listening, and cheers y'all!

On episode 110, in addition to recapping Texas wine news, I'm sharing an interview with Zachary Raines, head winemaker at Augusta Vin Winery in Fredericksburg. Zachary's wines have been earning top medals at wine competition and receiving praise from critics. We talk through how he ended up in Texas, parallels between Paso Robles and Texas wine industries, and how he approaches winemaking at Augusta Vin. Cheers y'all!

On episode 109, you'll hear a rundown of recent Texas wine news, event updates and discount codes for tickets. The main event is an interview featuring Krista and Scott Hartman from Red River Wines and Provisions in the Texoma AVA. They are going all in on Texas viticulture, thoughtful winemaking, and a very personal and educational hospitality experience. I can't wait for you to hear what they're cooking up in North Texas! Thanks for listening, and cheers y'all!

This is episode 108, and it's the first podcast of 2026! Today's episode includes Texas wine news, wine competition results, and a replay of the closing session of the Hill Country Wine Symposium. The symposium was filled with great information and tastings, but this closing panel was mostly for fun. It's a walk down memory lane for 6 long-time Texas wine professionals. Their best advice is "Make really good friends," and you can tell that they have. Thanks for listening, and cheers y'all! Image by Peary Photography

My guest today is Melissa Whatley. She and her husband Tyler are the co-owners of the recently opened Fredericksburg winery, Whatley Wines. Their faith and desire to pour into the community have inspired every aspect of Whatley Wines. We'll discuss the evolution of their brand, how food and wine pairing plays an important role, and how wine trading cards help tell the story. In Texas wine news, let's talk about Texas wine bars and wine-focused restaurants. Plus, I'll recap the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival, share Texas wine real estate news, and more. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

Ron Yates of Ron Yates Wines and Spicewood Vineyards is a returning guest who first appeared in 2021. On this episode, he’s sharing more about "The Get Together", his new boxed wine project, the new tasting room he’s building at Ron Yates, and his thoughts about the 2025 harvest. Then in Texas wine news, we’ll review the new Texas-focused regional guide by Wine Folly, explore a bit of a regional battle between the Texas High Plains and the Hill Country, announce a new podcast for wine lovers from a Texas wine VIP, and announce several new Texas wine events. Demerits and gold stars make a return too. Thanks for listening. Cheers y'all!

Claire Richardson, winemaker at Uplift Vineyard, is my guest on this episode. She’s a talented winemaker who is also the co-founder of Grafted, the organization that was created to support women in Texas wine, and Explore Oeno, her personal brand. You’ll hear Claire's Texas wine story from Texas A&M to New Zealand and back to Texas again. Then in Texas wine news, I’ll share how Texas wineries are responding to the tragic flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Plus, a new partnership links William Chris Vineyards with wineries across the US. Elisa Christopher Wines gets great press in an international drinks publication. Finally, I got new podcast music composed by a Texas wine VIP! Cheers y'all!

IT'S EPISODE 100! Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Wines joins me on this episode to share more about the Lost Draw story, including thoughts on the split from William Chris Wine Co. In celebration of my 100th episode, I’ve got some reflections on this milestone episode and the 5 year anniversary since the first episode aired. Then In Texas wine news, we’ll review which wineries are opening, closing, and rumored to be coming to town. There’s an update on the Farm Winery Permit bill, and a top sommelier shares thoughts about Texas wine. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

On episode 98, my guest is Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines near Johnson City. Doug shares the history of Lewis Wines, the importance of a region’s agricultural heritage, and the pending Farm Winery Permit. In Texas wine news, we’ve got new statistics from Wine America on the enormous impact of Texas wine on the state’s economy, a new article on local wine from Amy Beth Wright, and big awards for Dr. Justin Scheiner of Texas A&M and Dr. Julie Kuhlken of Pedernales Cellars. Thanks for listening. Cheers y'all!

My guest on this episode is Brian Heath, owner of Heath Family Brands. The portfolio includes Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Invention Vineyards, Jenblossom Cellars, and most recently, Kuhlman Estate, formerly known as Kuhlman Cellars. Brian and his wife Jennifer got into the Texas wine industry in 2006 when they purchased Grape Creek Vineyards from the family of founder Ned Simes. Brian and I talk about what makes the Texas wine industry a solid bet for business and his vision for the wineries within Heath Family Brands. In Texas wine news, I’m thrilled to announce new ownership for Fall Creek Vineyards. Plus, you'll hear about a legislative development concerning the Texas Wine Growers-supported Farm Winery Permit and the crazy spring weather across Texas. Thanks for listening, and cheers y'all!

In episode 95, my guest on this episode is Dr Akhil Reddy, CEO of Reddy Vineyards. Most people who follow Texas wine know the name Reddy Vineyards. Established in 1997 by Akhil’s parents, Reddy is one of the larger vineyards in the Texas High Plains. We’ll hear from Akhil about his vision for the brand, the new tasting room in Stonewall, and how wellness and wine intersect. In Texas wine news, Joey Bagnasco joins me to talk about Rootstock: A Texas Wine Festival which will take place on April 6 in Waco. Plus, hear about the final James Suckling report on Texas, TEXSOM Awards results, and a Texas Riesling is in the spotlight. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

On episode 94, I’m thrilled to be talking with Dr. Bob Young, owner and winemaker of Bending Branch Winery. Bending Branch's focus on innovation and sustainability was a key reason for their inclusion in Wine Business Monthly's list of Hot Brands 2024. In an exclusive podcast interview, Dr Bob is announcing an exciting new Texas white oak program and debuting three new wines that feature Texas white oak aging. He also makes a big announcement about a new tasting room on the property. You’ll only hear it here. In Texas wine news, I'll announce the TWGGA award winners. And a very special guest joins me to discuss the Rhone Rangers’ upcoming visit to the Hill Country and to Austin for tasting events. You’ll hear from Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines who is the current president of the board of directors for Rhone Rangers. Cheers y'all!

My guest today is award winning winemaker Jackie van Sant Downes, a native Texan who learned to make wine and had a flourishing career in Sonoma, and then returned to Texas to make wine for Driftwood Estate Winery. You may also know her personal brand, Jaclynn Renee Wines. She joins me for a really insightful talk about her winemaking approach, what she’s learned in 18 years in winemaking, and the exciting things that are coming for both Driftwood and Jaclynn Renee Wines. In Texas wine news, I’ll share the scoop on big news on Lost Draw separating from William Chris Wine Company, a new alliance for Texas Hill Country Wineries association, an article about old vines, and more. Cheers y'all!

I’m kicking off 2025 with Bryan Chagoly of Sandy Road Vineyards. He’s back to tell us how Texas wine performed in wine competitions in 2024, what Texas wine is winning awards, which wineries are winning most often, what is new at Sandy Road Vineyards. 2025 started out with a bang in the Texas wine news department. In our news segment, I’ll share how Llano Estacado, one of the oldest wineries in Texas, has new owners and big new plans. Plus major kudos to Bending Branch Winery for being named a Hot Brand for 2024 by Wine Business Monthly. Cheers y'all!

Chris McIntosh is co-owner and winemaker for Edge of the Lake Vineyard in Valley View, Texas (Texoma AVA). He is also the current president of North Texas Wine Country, the winery association that covers North Texas wineries. We talk about what’s going on at Edge of the Lake as well as developments in North Texas as a whole. And in the Texas wine news segment, there are several new national stories featuring the Texas wine industry, plus wine competition results, new accolades for Texas wineries, big personnel changes, a report from the State Fair of Texas, and more. Cheers y'all!

Rebecca Conley co-owns J.W. Hardin Wine Co. in Comanche. Comanche is a town that’s rich in Texas history, and Rebecca has done a fantastic job conveying the history of the town and the man J.W. Hardin himself. He was an outlaw, y’all! Listen to hear how Rebecca and her husband Dr. Travis Conley relate to the outlaw theme. In the Texas wine news, I’ve got harvest reports, a new historical designation for a Texas vineyard, a significant article on Texas sparkling wine in an international publication, and much more. Cheers, y'all!

Jeremy Wilson joins me for episode 84. He's a sommelier and brand ambassador for Adega Vinho Winery and my latest guest in an occasional series of Texas Wine Country Personalities. Jeremy has been around the Texas wine industry for quite awhile not only as a winery employee, but also as a Texas Wine Lover writer and even as a podcaster back in the day. Listen in to hear about his new personal wine project, his thoughts on the Texas wine industry, and the other beverage he loves almost as much as wine. In the Texas wine news, you'll hear about a major winery acquisition, wineries opening and closing, winemakers on the move, weather woes, and more. Cheers y'all!

This is episode 81, and my guest today is Mike Batek. Mike and his wife Denise own Hye Meadow Winery in Hye in the Texas Hill Country. Mike is also the current president of the Texas Hill Country Wineries association. His story starts at the beginning of his wine journey and ends with upcoming travel and a winemaking "stage" in Slovenia! In the Texas wine news section, I’m talking about wineries opening and expanding, Texas wine women are getting a shoutout in Men’s Health, and I’m reviewing my recent France trip with other Texas wine enthusiasts. Don't miss the ticket giveaways to two events the weekend of May 4-5. Cheers, yall!

My guest on episode 80 is Tim Drake. He’s winemaker at Michael Ros Winery in Fredericksburg and also makes wine for Farmhouse Vineyards and Majek Vineyards. Tim has been in the Texas wine industry for quite some time, and he started his wine career in Washington. He's an entertaining subject with lots to say about winery design, winemaking philosophies, how the Texas wine industry has evolved, and more. In the Texas wine news section, we’re anticipating the April 8 eclipse, reviewing Texas wine stories from large regional magazines, and discussing the magic of wine, a new campaign by WineAmerica to change the way we talk about wine. Cheers y'all!