Texas Hill Country Wineries Episodes

Oct. 5, 2023

Messina Hof Winery Co-Founders Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo

Happy Texas Wine Month! My guests on this episode are some of the pioneers of the Texas Wine industry. Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo are the co-founders of Messina Hof Winery, and they join me to talk about the early days …

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July 6, 2023

Talking Texas Viticulture with Evan McKibben

Evan McKibben wants nothing more than to share the stories of the vineyard with Texas wine drinkers. He's the vineyard manager at Pedernales Cellars’ Kuhlken Vineyard just north of Fredericksburg. Before that, he managed vineyards for William Chris Vineyards and …

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May 18, 2023

Michael Barton of Hilmy Cellars

Michael Barton is the winemaker at Hilmy Cellars in Fredericksburg. He’s earning rave reviews for his wines, and today you’ll hear about his deep appreciation for Texas grape growers, the changes he’s been making at Hilmy, and what he learned …

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April 20, 2023

Winemaker Jon Leahy of Becker Vineyards

Today my guest is Jon Leahy, the winemaker at Becker Vineyards, one of the first, and one of the largest wineries in Texas. We take a look back at some of the most memorable wines he’s made, his extensive travels, …

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April 6, 2023

Dan Gatlin's Dogged Quest for Quality at Inwood Estates Winery

Dan Gatlin joins me to talk about his almost 50 years in the wine industry. We cover a lot of ground including including the development of the wine industry in Napa Valley, the lessons learned in the early years of …

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March 23, 2023

Kalasi Cellars' Nikhila Narra Davis and Greg Davis

Today's guests are Nikhila Narra Davis and Greg Davis of Kalasi Cellars. They’ve got a major presence as both High Plains grape growers and as winery owners in Fredericksburg. You’ll hear from Nikhila, who handles wines and vines, and Greg, …

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March 9, 2023

Bryan Chagoly of Sandy Road Vineyards and Top Texas Wines

My guest Bryan Chagoly co-owns Sandy Road Vineyards in Johnson City. We discuss how Sandy Road Vineyards started and their plans for the future. We also talk about Bryan’s latest project, Top Texas Wines. You'll hear more about this effort …

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Dec. 15, 2022

The Year in Review with John Rivenburgh

It’s the end of 2022, and it’s time to take stock of the big stories in Texas wine industry this year. Today I’m going to talk through it all with John Rivenburgh of Kerrville Hills Winery. We talk about the …

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Nov. 17, 2022

Glena Yates, President of the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association

Glena Yates, president of the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, joins me to share some history of the organization, information on recent challenges and staffing changes, and what TWGGA hopes to accomplish in the next legislative session. In Texas …

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Oct. 20, 2022

Sergio Cuadra: 10 Years of Making Wine at Fall Creek Vineyards

Sergio Cuadra, director of winemaking at Fall Creek Vineyards is celebrating his 10th harvest in Texas, but he’s been working in wine for even longer in Chile. Hear what he thinks about the unique opportunities that growing grapes and making …

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Sept. 22, 2022

Tips for Visiting Texas Winery Tasting Rooms with Victoria Calais and…

My guests are two of the best hospitality biz professionals in Texas. Victoria Calais and Donna Rene Johnston join me to share some tips for visiting Texas winery tasting rooms whether you're visiting Fredericksburg, Johnson City, North Texas, Texas High …

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May 12, 2022

Modern Agriculture in the Texas Hill Country with Adega Vinho's Micha…

Michael Bilger of Adega Vinho joins me for a talk about the viticulture and enology practices he employs at Adega Vinho in Stonewall, Texas. We get specific about the terroir in the Texas Hill Country, efforts to add sub-AVAs to …

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April 14, 2022

A Peek Behind the Scenes with Regan Meador at Southold Farm + Cellars

In this episode you’ll hear what’s important to Southold Farm + Cellar's Regan Meador. We discuss his thoughts on growth, distribution, winemaking and vineyard practices. And in Texas wine news, find out about The Vind app, camping at 4R Ranch, …

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Jan. 27, 2022

20 Years of Texas Wine with Bénédicte Rhyne

Bénédicte Rhyne is my guest on this episode. If you don’t already know Benedicte, you’re in for a treat. In my interview with her, we talk about how Texas reminds her of her native Provence, how she strives for balance …

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Oct. 28, 2021

Paul M. and Karen Bonarrigo of Messina Hof Winery

How much do you really know about Messina Hof, one of the largest wineries in Texas? My interview with Paul M. and Karen Bonarrigo (winemaker and chief administrative officer, respectively) provides a glimpse behind the scenes of a family business …

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