Austin

from ARBOR Winter Spring 2022

by Knights of the Vine

Adventure

Grand Commander Grand Commander Buddy Hagner Buddy Hagner addressed the addressed the Assemblage Assemblage

Austin Austin

Assemblage at Hotel Granduca in beautiful Hill Country

by Master Scribe Forrest Preece Photos by Charles Quinn Photography

On Tuesday, September 7, the Austin Chapter of Knights of the Vine gathered for its annual Grand As‑ semblage; almost two‑and‑a‑half years after the last one due to the pandemic. This year, the venue changed to the palatial Hotel Granduca, nestled in the rolling Hill Country, west of downtown Austin. With its Italianate decor and regal feel, the Granduca was perfect for this gathering of Knights and Gentle Ladies. The Hill Coun‑ try vistas made the night especially elegant.

Members and inductees gathered at 6:30 p.m. for a champagne reception and conviviality in the hotel’s foy‑ er. Then at 7:00 p.m., everyone took their places in the ballroom, “March Grandisoso” sounded forth, and the Cadre made its processional entrance. With the Cadre gathered behind him, Master Commander Jerry Gatlin welcomed the crowd and then inducted 24 new mem‑ bers into the chapter’s ranks. He noted that this was the largest class of new members in chapter history. He also expressed thanks to the Cadre members who pitch in to make the chapter work smoothly.

As the elegant multi‑course dinner was served, Knights and Gentle Ladies renewed contacts, made new friend‑ ships, and talked about subjects such as the exploding Austin real estate market, politics (no shortage of topics there), and the qualities of the fine wines being poured. Many of the participants decided to make a true night of it and stay in the hotel’s guest rooms until the next morn‑ ing. It was a great night of fun, friends, food, and wine. Wines served at the Austin Assemblage included:

2010 Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well‑ meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy.

2019 Chene Blue Rosé Bright salmon skin. Powerful, mineral‑accented nec‑ tarine, raspberry and melon scents, complemented by citrus pith and floral nuances. Vibrant red berry, blood orange, nectarine and candied lavender flavors possess impressive depth as well as energy. Shows strong tension and repeating mineral character on the long, gently chewy finish, which leaves a floral note behind.

2016 Simonnet Febvre Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru Ripe and bold but with great freshness. This is an impos‑ ing and elegant wine with a rich lemon‑tart character. Flinty and salty, a very long, super‑elegant finish.

Occidental Pinot Noir Freestone Occidental 2016 Pale to medium ruby‑purple, this wine has a bright, open nose of warm cranberry, rhubarb and pomegranate with raspberry and red cherry preserves plus notes of saline, orange peel, autumn leaves, rose petal and stone. Light to medium‑bodied, it's packed with juicy red, perfumed

Ron Mullen and Lynda Carter Mullen were inducted by Master Commander Jerry Gatlin

fruits in the mouth, with very fine, softly grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and focused. There's a unique coastal signature to this very pretty wine.

Argiano Solengo Super Tuscan This is a full‑bodied red (but not in an exaggerated manner) with plump and fruit‑forward aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, spice and sweet tobacco. The wine is balanced with excellent depth and mouth feel momentum.

Graham’s 10 year Tawny A very pretty wood port with cherry, berry, walnut and chocolate aromas and flavors. It’s full‑bodied and very sweet with focus, density and length. Fruity, yet pleas‑ antly earthy.

continued >>> Eva Womack and Terry Whorton

Andrew Heller and Supreme Knight Ed Auler

Master Vice-Comm. Master Vice-Comm. Randy Groves Randy Groves discussed fine discussed fine points of wine points of wine characteristics with characteristics with Gary & Alyson Baum Gary & Alyson Baum Master Roving Ambassador Jan Burrow and Hugh Coates

Kelley and Travis Lightfoot, Dana and Dennis Jakubowicz Jo Carol Snowden and Allen Kemp

Maître de Partis Rose Betty Williams, Master Commander Jerry Gatlin and Supreme Lady Susan Auler

Full Moon Boat Ride & Tasting on the Commodore

On Wednesday, October 20, the Knights and Gentle Ladies of the Austin Chapter boarded the Riverboat Commodore for a paddlewheel‑powered cruise on Lake Austin. The Commodore is an Austin legend, dating back many decades. In fact, some of the Knights of the Vine partiers remembered high school lake trips on it back in the 1960s.

The weather was perfect for an outdoor party and as the ship embarked from the dock, the assembled crowd began sampling the stellar wines being poured. Soon the sun set and the moon rose over the lake, making the hills west of Austin glow with reflected light. As the cool breeze wafted in, everyone relaxed and lively conversa‑ tions abounded.

The festivities reached a higher level when a delicious Mexican fajita buffet from The Hula Hut was served on the upper deck. Plates filled with chicken and beef fajitas, guacamole, and salsa were seen throughout the crowd. The wines selected for the party were perfect with the “just spicy enough” food.

The Commodore headed north up the lake and under the Loop 360 Pennybacker Bridge at a leisurely pace, then turned and went back to the dock. It was a night of fun, wine and camaraderie. No one thought to play the Gilligan’s Island theme, but a few exclamations of “Per Vitem! Ad Vitam!” were heard.

The hills west of Austin were beautiful in the moonlight INSET The Commodore paddle wheeler was ready to welcome Knights, Gentle Ladies, and guests

Wines enjoyed included: NV Laherte Frères Champagne NV Barrat Masson Fleur do craie Champagne NV Phillipponnat Champagne Royale Réserve Brut NV Henriot Rosé Brut 2010 Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs 2012 Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 1er Cru Secher 2019 Fall Creek Vineyards Chardonnay, Certenberg

Vineyard, Terroir Reflection 2014 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016 Fall Creek ExTERRA Mourvédre,

Salt Lick Vineyards 2016 Argiano Toscana Solengo 2012 Contino Rioja Gran Reserva 2015 Petit Gravet Aine Saint Emillion