Texas Winemakers Episodes

This episode features an interview with Mike McHenry, founder of Wedding Oak Winery, and Seth Urbanek, winemaker at Wedding Oak. I’m sharing my tasting notes and a bit more information about the two wines that won the Judges' Selection, the top Texas wine prize at the recent TEXSOM International Wine Awards. Plus, I’ve got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Whether you’re a regular listener or joining in for the first time, welcome to This Is Texas Wine.

On this episode, I interview Susan Johnson of Texas Heritage Vineyard in Fredericksburg. I’ve also got the scoop on how Texas wineries fared in the 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards, one of the toughest wine competitions in the world. There's a new segment called Demerits and Gold Stars. Plus, I’ve got all the latest news about the Texas wine industry. Cheers y'all!

On this episode, you’ll get to hear from Randy Hester of CL Butaud winery. He's got an interesting history that goes from Texas to California, then back to Texas again. His new tasting room, shared with Rae Wilson's Wine for the People brands, is turning heads. There's also lots of Texas wine country travel tips and an announcement about a winery for sale. Texas weather is in the news again too. Just when we get past a record-setting April freeze event, a hailstorm hits. Will Rogers said "The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer." Ain't that the truth when it comes to our Texas grapegrowers!

Wondering about the new winery being constructed next to Lewis Wines on 290? Barbara Lecuona is my guest, and she explains the who, what, and why behind Siboney Cellars. Plus lots of Texas wine news including the proposed wine labeling laws that the state legislature is considering, medal winners from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, a new #txwine tasting room, new food and wine tasting experiences and more!

My guest John Rivenburgh is the new president of the Texas Hill Country Wineries association. I’ll talk to John about his history in the Texas wine industry, the wine incubator he’s running at Kerrville Hills Winery, his passion for the Tannat grape, and more. I’ve also got a rundown of everything you need to know about Tannat, one of the top 10 red grapes grown in Texas.

William Chris Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars announced a plan to merge in October of this year. Today you’ll hear from the founders of those two wineries about the new William Chris Wine Company and its plans for the future. Plus, I’ve also got a round-up of the 23 biggest Texas wine stories of the year.

We are a week out from Thanksgiving, a time of year when we’re thinking about family. Today I’m talking to David and Julie Kuhlken, the dynamic brother/sister duo that co-owns and runs Pedernales Cellars. We had a great conversation about the history of their family winery, what’s going on in the Texas wine industry, and even the confusion over the pronunciation of Pedernales. I’m drinking a Pedernales wine. It’s the 2018 Pedernales Cellars Texas High Plains Viognier Reserve.

Chuck Tordiglione, owner of Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyard, is the president of the Cross Timbers Wine & Vineyard Association. Cross Timbers has big plans including publishing another glossy wine and travel magazine, new wine, food and art events planned for 2021, and new partnerships with local chefs. Chuck has more enthusiasm for Texas wine than most anyone I’ve ever met, and I know you’ll enjoy his interview. I’ll also talk about wine trails in general: what they are, what they do, and how they’re organized. In my new People In Wine segment, I introduce Tony Coturri, a California natural wine winemaker who inspired two popular Texas winemakers you’ll recognize. Tony is also a partner in Texas winery himself. Finally, I’m celebrating national Cabernet Sauvignon day with the 2017 Brennan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon.