Rock & Vine by Digital Publisher

ROCK&Vine Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country Fredericksburg’s wine and lifestyle magazine

GREAT GAINS

The wine industry’s growth and its effect on the Hill Country German immigrant loyalties ran deep in Civil War era

Opportunities increase for wine industry workers

 Stompin’ Grounds wine review column debuts, page 19

SUMMER 2015 FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

FOODIES AND OENOPHIILES REJOICE! If “food” is your middle name and wine is your game,

but also has the largest Texas wine list in the country

then the Cabernet Grill is your match made in heaven.

— with the knowledgeable waitstaff to go with it.

Chef Ross Burtwell, author of Texas Hill Country

Fresh ingredients sourced from local and regional

Cuisine; Flavors from the Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country Restaurant, not only serves up some of the most spectacular cuisine,

growers. An elegant yet casual dining atmosphere. A deep-rooted passion for food and wine flowing from the kitchen. Welcome home!

Take the taste home with Chef Ross Burtwell’s new book Texas Hill Country Cuisine.

830 990 5734 | cabernetgrill.com | Fredericksburg, Texas On Hwy 16, just 2.8 miles south of Main Street

ROCK

Editor’s note

Greenlight for growth

&Vine

It’s interesting to ponder what the Texas Hill Country, particularly the Highway 290 wine corridor, will look like in a decade or a quarter century from now. Wineries seem to be popping up like bluebonnets on the road that is becoming synonymous with Texas wine. Writer Valerie Menard takes a look at the impact this is having on the Texas Hill Country as the wine region expands. “Little Napa,” as this area has been dubbed, has been experiencing growth in winethirsty visitors, as well as investment in new facilities. One source tells us there are seven new wineries in the works for the area. The growth is great, but not without some challenges. We’re also fortunate to have a growing wine education program with the presence of Texas Tech University in both Fredericksburg and Marble Falls. Their certification programs in viticulture and enology are hugely popular, and an article in this issue sets out yet more training opportunities for wine industry workers who don’t have the time to travel extensively for this type of continuing education. Also in this issue, you’ll find a new ratings column, “Stompin’ Grounds,” by Lorelei Helmke. This issue she reviews wines from a local favorite, Pedernales Cellars. Lorelei helps both casual wine fans and educated readers choose wines that they will love. We will continue to cover “all things wine” and tell the stories about those who have come here to be a part of this exciting industry. We would love to support our efforts withh a subscription. Just call (830) 997-2155 to inquire. Also, please support the advertisers in this magazine, as they allow us to do what we do. While we strive to be more than just an “advertorial” publication, they do strongly support our efforts. Thank you for reading, and save me a sip.

Wine and lifestyle magazine

Fredericksburg’s wineofand lifestyle magazine the Texas Hill Country Issue No. 4 Color palette

Rock & Vine Magazine features the best of the Texas Hill Country wine industry, as well as lifestyle, attractions, history, characters and thinkers. A product of Fredericksburg Publishing Company, Inc.

Managing Editor Christine Granados

Rock & Vine Magazine 712 W. Main St. P.O. Box 1639 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 To advertise, call our staff at the number below.

Contributing Writers Lorelei Helmke Valerie Menard Joe Kammlah Megan Willome Joshua McKinney Contributing Photographer/Graphics Sandra Jacoby Robbyn Dodd Marc Land

Advertising Information 830-997-2155 Advertising Sales Kim Jung, Director Cindy Clark Subscription Information $15 for one year 830-997-2155

Ken Esten Cooke Editor & Publisher ken@fredericksburgstandard.com

• GERWURZTRAMINER

MERLOT

•

ROSÉ

•

PORT

•

SWEET RED

•

ORANGE MUS

•

SYRAH

Mon. - Thurs. 10-5:15; Fri. & Sat. 10-7:15; Sun. 12-5:15 PERSONAL CHECKS, MASTERCARD AND VISA ACCEPTED

MUSCAT CANELLI

•

The Switzer Family

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SANGIOVESE

•

PETIT

VERDOT

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SEMILLON

•

NOIR

•

Phone: (830) 990-8747

email: wine@fbgwinery.com • www.fbgwinery.com

CABERNET SAUVIGNO

First release May 1996

•

ricksburg Wine e d ry re

CAT

SWEET

About the cover: Susan Johnson of Fredericksburg frolics in a local vineyard. (Photo by Robbyn Dodd)

Publisher/Editor Ken Esten Cooke

PINOT

Thy Goblet Runneth Over

As the wine industry in Texas expands, how will it impact the Texas Hill Country?

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

By Valerie Menard

Like spring showers, revenue from the Texas wine and grape industry continues to pour into the state’s economy. The Texas wine industry contributed $1.88 billion to the state in 2013, up by 88 percent from $997 million in 2005, according to The Economic Impact of Wine and Wine Grapes on the State of Texas–2013, the latest study from the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (TWGGA) in conjunction with the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute at Texas Tech University. The biennial study also claims that Texas is the fifthlargest wine producer in the country and seventh in grape production. There were some downturns, however, specifically regarding vineyard revenue, despite a growth in wineries, as well as grape bearing acres. Debbie Reynolds, TWGGA executive director, explained that this reflected damage from a severe frost in 2013. “We’ve gotten smarter and learned a lot about frost protection, vineyard planting management, pest disease management, etc.,” she said. “All around we’re getting better at what we do.” When David Kuhlken, co-owner of Pedernales Cellars, in Stonewall, and TWGGA treasurer, heard the news, he wasn’t surprised. He had no idea the industry would be so robust when his family opened their vineyard. “My parents, Larry and Jeanine, first planted grapes in 1995 when it was considered more of a boutique business,” he said. “When we decided to open the vineyard in 2005, we wrote a business plan, but the growth has far exceeded the best case scenario we estimated.” Hill Country drives growth According to the report, areas with the greatest winery expansion include North Texas, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and the U.S. 290 corridor which includes the Texas Hill Country. Overall, the number of wine-related tourists grew by 84 percent to 1.6 million, translating into tourism expenditures of $466.1 million, a 110 percent increase. The news is not just good for vintners and grape growers. Several communities look to the industry for jobs, particularly the jewel of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg in Gillespie County. Continued

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

“In quantitative terms, at least 10 percent of the gross domestic product of Gillespie County, or $100 million, can be attributed to revenue from the wine industry,” said Tim Lehmberg, executive director of the Gillespie County Economic Development Commission. “Subjectively, it’s becoming increasingly important. It’s probably the fastest growing economic sector in the county and I don’t see signs of it slowing down or approaching critical mass.” In 2011, the commission conducted its own survey of local wineries and grape growers. They identified 37 wine industry businesses that were primary employers or directly related to the industry. Currently, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has issued 29 winery permits in Gillespie County, said Lehmberg. Prior to 2010, there were only 13. More research is on the way from Texas Hill Country wineries, said executive director January Wiese. The group is surveying its 46 members and other industry members that represent 65 wineries in the Hill Country to compile economic impact, salary information, and a crush report detailing the grape harvest. The results should be released this fall. “We hear the numbers about the industry as a whole but we want to know how we’re doing [in the Hill Country] as an American Viticultural Area and a destination,” she said. Supply & demand The picture isn’t completely rosy. One challenge, according to Reynolds and Kuhlken, is Texas grape production, which, hasn’t kept up with demand, forcing vintners to import grapes from other states. For Fredericksburg, the visual evidence seems clear. Known for decades as a shopping destination, the influx of wine tours and tasting rooms is changing tourist demographics, attracting younger visitors to town who are more experience-oriented, said Lehmberg. “They’re here to take a wine tour, eat at restaurants, visit Enchanted Rock and museums and maybe, fill in the day with shopping. It’s been a challenge for local retailers who have to stay ahead of trends,” he said.

Wiese added that many of the new tasting bars, both brand new business and those coming from wineries outside of the Hill Country, are utilizing the advantage of Fredericksburg’s tourism infrastructure. Kuhlken agreed. “Fredericksburg has been critical to our growth. We didn’t have to convince people to come to the Hill Country to try our wine. They were already headed this way.” Labor & housing While some might mention the increased traffic along Main Street as a downside, Lehmberg said the real struggle has been finding workers. The high cost of housing has been a deterrent, but the commission is pursuing more multi-family and affordable single-family housing developments. On the plus side, Fredericksburg has not experienced overwhelming population growth like other small towns and remains at a steady number around 11,000. “For our size, we can offer many amenities like entertainment, restaurants, etc., but remain a small town with a distinct sense of community and a great quality of life,” he said. Recent news from Austin may energize continued growth. During the last session, legislation that would allocate a portion of wine sales and excise tax revenue to wine marketing, education, and research programs was approved. If signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the bill would provide up to $2 million to be allocated in a fiscal year. “We’re thankful for TWGGA and their diligence to secure future funding that will help grow our industry,” said Wiese. “That’s how we’re going to overcome the diseases and work past spring frost issues, all from the work being done at A&M, Grayson [College], and Texas Tech.” As for those showers, so long as they don’t include hail, the vines should be fine. Valerie Menard is a published author and freelance writer based in Austin. You can read her work at www.latinotrafficreport.com.

BY THE NUMBERS

$1.88 billion Wine industry contribution to Texas economy

1.6 million

Wine-related tourists

$466 million Tourism spending by wine fans in Texas

ROCK&Vine Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

H I SC E

C I A LT PE Y

AUGUST 8/1/15 - 9/30/15 Hill Country Grape Harvest time. Throughout the months of August and September, wineries in the region celebrate when the grapes are ready for harvesting with events surrounding the optimum grape picking time, which is commonly known as “crush.” http://texaswinetrail.com/trails

CALENDAR

IESER F O O D S

8/20/15-8/23/15 Gillespie County Fair at Gillespie County Fair Grounds, 530 Fair Drive. Four big days filled with great events — exciting carnival and midway, fair food, livestock judging, agricultural and household exhibits, arts and crafts, antique tractor show, and live pari-mutuel horse racing. There will be Friday and Saturday night dancing under the stars to live entertainment. www.gillespiefair.net SEPTEMBER 8/1/15 - 9/30/15 Fredericksburg Farmers’ Market. From 4-7 p.m. each Thursday, find the freshest product from local growers at Marktplatz (Town Square) in Fredericksburg. fredericksburgfarmersmarket.com

Fischer & Wieser’s Charred Pineapple Bourbon Sauce SIT VI S U

DAS PEACH HAUS 1406 SOUTH US HWY 87 FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS 78624 830.997.8969

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Partnership is ‘a retail romance’ Hill Country Outfitters owners find Fredericksburg a perfect fit By Anna Wynne-Smith

When Mary Ann Turbeville, co-owner of Hill Country Outfitters (HCO), professed that the New Zealand Smart Wool socks “are the best socks you will ever wear,” she radiated the pioneering character of this prominent Fredericksburg retail outlet. The company offers a wide range of high quality classic and outdoor clothing, accessories and shoes in a rustic atmosphere filled with authentic man gear, books and gadgets, thanks in large part to co-owner Bob Turbeville. Hill Country Outfitters was born out of Bob’s hobby for fly fishing during Mary Ann and Bob’s early married days. Bob, who Mary Ann described as a Renaissance man, designed and built a custom desk in the Dallas home that housed his hand-tied fishing flies. When this alluring console was presented to Orvis, a mail-order business that specializes in high-end fly fishing, hunting and sporting goods, a greater business idea was hatched and this propelled the Turbevilles to Fredericksburg, to seek out a location for their new venture. “This was probably the most daring move we have ever made,” Mary Ann said. “We left our secure life in Dallas. We had never been in retail and we had three young boys to raise.” Now, 19 years later, Hill Country Outfitters has become a destination in Fredericksburg. Mary Ann and Bob don’t consider themselves coHill Country Outfitters 115 E. Main Street in Fredericksburg Phone 800-672-3303 Email sales@hcofbg.net http://hillcountryoutfitters.net

Bob and Mary Ann Turbeville, co-owners of Hill Country Outfitters in Fredericksburg, focus on quality apparel and top-shelf customer service.

owners. They prefer the term — team. “I spend the money; he pays the bills,” Mary Ann said. This dynamic harmony is palpable and lends itself to this sartorial emporium’s personality from the effortless courtesy of their long standing, loyal staff to the ever-changing and engaging window displays. “Above all, prayer and trust have been the cornerstone to building the business,” said Mary Ann. “We both believe that our daily interaction with people is an opportunity to impact lives in a positive and proactive manner.” The couple have been steadfast in adhering to their business mantra of “Connect. Listen. Serve.” Bob said they are no longer a seasonal business and are required to appeal to a variety of shoppers with a vast inventory

of leading brand names in men’s and women’s apparel, travel gear, footwear, active sportswear, head gear, sunglasses, watches, knives, books, etc. HCO’s inventory is made up primarily of U.S.-made goods and accented by a variety of fillers, gift items and accessories like the smart wool socks from New Zealand and jewelry from Italy and Israel. “The market has become highly competitive and we have been compelled to stay on our game and ensure that there is something for everyone,” said Bob. HCO has built a client base that extends from the faithful, local community into the international market. Hill Country Outfitters is located at 115 E. Main St., Fredericksburg. Anna Wynne-Smith, writing technician and wordsmith, lives in Fredericksburg.

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open Daily noon to 6 p.m.

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2367 Usener Road 12 miles west on 290 towards Harper,

turn left on Usener 2.3 miles to the winery

830-990-2675 www.chisholmtrailwinery.com

ROCK&Vine Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Wine Q&A

with Ken Maxwell Torre di Pietra

Photos by Joshua McKinney

By Joshua McKinney The Hill Country’s wine industry keeps growing. Trips to the area’s vineyards went from Texas’ best-kept secret to a global top 10 destination for wine tasting in 2014, according to Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Ken Maxwell, a partner at Torre di Pietra, is a third-generation wine maker and his wife, Jenise, can trace her grape-growing heritage in Texas back to the 1700s. Maxwell has seen the growth of the Hill Country’s wine tourism and likes where it’s heading.

the grapes that are grown in Central Texas but the grapes in the High Plains of Texas. It is a challenge when we have these late freezes — 22-25 degrees — and there’s nothing you can do to prevent damage. The only thing you can do is to minimize the amount of mortality you have. If you have 16-18 inches of growth and it gets that cold, you’re going to lose your crop. All your green is going to go away. Our yields here, on a good year, are half of what they are in California. Maybe a third. It’s difficult to grow grapes here but they’ve been growing here forever.

R&V: What are the challenges to grape cultivation in Texas? KM: It’s a lot easier growing grapes in California and the rest of the West Coast than it is anywhere in Texas. It’s the El Niño and La Niña weather patterns that are the problem. This is an El Niño year, so it is really wet and there are some challenges in growing grapes in a wet, humid climate and there are fungal problems. During the La Niña winter, it’s warm in January and February, hot in March, and there’s no way to prevent the grapes from budding out. Then, you have to transition from winter to spring in April and there are always these late freezes that come. This not only affects

R&V: What have you learned from your experience growing grapes in the Hill Country? KM: The key is you have to figure out, the farther away you are from the Northers (cold fronts), the easier it’s going to be. We had a vineyard in Doss and we got nailed every time. It was the largest vineyard in Gillespie County when we planted it. But, it just couldn’t yield because of the late freezes and one time it was decimated by golf ballsized hail. In eight years, we had a couple of good yields, but it wasn’t a good investment, so we took it all off and sold the land. The land over here (east of Fredericksburg) is a little different because Doss is on

the northwest side of the Hill Country. Here it’s a little farther south and we have hills to block some of that stuff. This vineyard has only had a couple of issues. It’s like the inverse of the Doss vineyard. We haven’t had a total loss here. The most we’ve lost is maybe only lost half of a crop. R&V: Which grapes produce well for you now? KM: The Mediterranean varieties grow the best here. So we’re trying to pick the right grapes to plant here, too. Vermentino is a great Italian grape and albariño is the best grape to enjoy with shrimp and scallops. It’s a Spanish grape. We have over 3,000 planted here and this will be our second leaf. We’ll get a pretty good crop off it this second year and I’m looking forward to that. The albariño is a really hot grape for all of the United States. I couldn’t even buy the vines two years ago. I finally got some cuttings of it from a vineyard. Some of the best grapes we have are black Spanish.Blanc du bois is another good grape. R&V: How has the wine making business changed in the last decade or so? KM: The Texas Hill Country is the number two wine destination in the United

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

States behind Napa Valley. Orbitz (a company that helps book flights, hotel rooms and rental cars for travelers online) notified us about that in 2005 or 2006. That information was based on people spending money here. About ten percent of people who visited Fredericksburg around the year 2000 came for the wine. The last Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau survey showed 32 percent. Fredericksburg has around 1.4 million visitors a year, so that’s a lot of people who come here for wine. It’s hard to believe that from where we started in 2003 to now, we’re one of the top 10 destinations in the world. It’s a pretty sweet deal. I think we’re going to see improvements in Texas wine in terms of quality and the proper varietals to grow here, and for the public to be educated on wines and wine tasting. R&V: How is the Texas Hill Country different from other wine regions? KM: In California, it costs $30 or $40 to taste. We don’t do that in Texas. We only charge about $12 to $15 to taste wine here. The drought situation in California is

where we’re going to see what really happens. Also, if you go to Europe and taste wines in France, Spain, Italy or Germany, none of those places are going to have wines that taste alike. You’re not comparing apples to apples because the wines are totally different. The styles are different because of what grows in the area. People need to think about Texas wines in that respect. It’s different from one growing region to the next. It would be silly for me as a winemaker to try to mimic what goes on in California. I want to establish myself and what goes on here. That’s what it’s about. R&V: How are you trying to educate people on wine tasting? KM: We give free tours during the week and on Saturdays. We’re trying to talk to people and answer their questions about the wine and how it’s made. A lot of our customer base has never wine tasted before. Maybe they went to a winery in France or Italy when they were traveling but it’s not something that they’re used to doing. We’re trying to help them understand what it’s all about: tasting the wine and being able to think about the flavors. It’s not

about slamming shots. It’s about trying to be sophisticated and your approach to the wine, as well. So, take a sip and try to understand the aromas that you have first because everybody has a palette of flavors. You just keep adding more and more flavors to your palate and you have to ask yourself, “What flavors am I adding to my palate?” R&V: Suggestions for a first-time wine taster? KM: Explore what flavors you like in the wines. Read through the wine list and see what types of wines you like. Find out if you like bold reds or lighter reds, or sweeter wines or ports. I would taste a little bit of this and a little bit of that. We have descriptions for all the wines on our wine lists. A lot of people think there are a lot of crazy rules about pairing wines with foods, and tell others that can’t do this and they can’t do that. That’s nuts. The real rule on pairing is you pair the wines that you like with the foods that you like. Who cares what anyone else thinks? You’re the one who’s going to enjoy them and you’re the one who’s going to pay for them. It’s your decision. R&V

•Chill •Chill •Drink •Drink •Open •Open •Preserve •Preserve •Serve •Serve •Transport •Transport

NECESSARY NECESSARY WINE WINE ACCESSORIES ACCESSORIES Der DerKüchen KüchenLaden Laden

258 258East EastMain MainStreet Street Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg,Texas Texas78624 78624 830.997.4937 830.997.4937 www.littlechef.com www.littlechef.com info@littlechef.com info@littlechef.com

Central texas Viney

The Hill Country wine region has over 70 wineries. The 600 acres of vineyard

Bluffton 2241

Llano

261

1431

Mason

Castell

783

Burnet

Oatmeal

1431

32 48 Fredericksburg 17 59 1 29 22 54

23 USNER RD

2093

Stonewall

37 57 2 42 35 Luckenbach 16

JENSCHKE LN

Junction

290

Willow City

MTN. CR 301

Johnson City 1320

38 61 27 1623 3 1623

1376

281

SONS

MILL DA M RD

Bandera

9 7

281

Boerne 87

Bulverde

1826

43 14

Wimberley

150

LON MTN EMAN . RD .

3237

150

12 Canyon City

Canyon Lake

311

1376

290

306

Spring Branch

101

CR 170

224

49 71

Dripping Springs

3159

2673

Eâ€™S AN CR ILL M

Jonesto

Bee Cave

3238

201

165

Blanco

473

Lakeway

52 3232 Henly

Lago Vista

HA PO MIL OL TO RD N .

2766

Sisterdale

Comfort

HERMA

173

962

32 473

Center L Point INDNER

CR 302

Kerrville 27

Cypress Mill

1323

Hye

UPPER ALBERT RD

Round Mtn.

Travis Peak

Spicewood Lake CR 409 Travis 50

SHOVEL

965

648

1431

Marble Falls

962

1174

Horseshoe Bay

Lake LBJ Granite Shoals

Sunrise Beach

Bertram

2342

Kingsland

2323

1174

690 2341

Buchanan Dam Inks Lake

281

1431

21 & 44

2340

SIN GLE TON BEN D

Central texas Vineyards and Wineries

Lake Buchanan

Tow

BELL SPRINGS

Locator Map of

2722

Smithson Valley HERBELIN 3009

13 46

306

Sa M 11

Gruene

35 New Braunfels

yards and Wineries

ds span the region north of Fredericksburg to San Saba, and west of Menard.

Listing numbers correspond with numbers on map. Locations are approximate due to scale of map.

Florence

Andice

Georgetown

own

1431

Round Rock

20 LOOP 1

Aus n

183

an Marcos 53

1. Alexander Vineyards 6360 Goehmann Lane Fredericksburg, TX 78624 2. Baron’s Creek Vineyard 5865 E. US Highway 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 3. Becker Vineyards 464 Becker Farms Road Stonewall, TX 78671 4. Bell Mountain Vineyards 463 Bell Mountain Road Fredericksburg, TX 78624 5. Bell Springs Winery 3700 Bell Springs Road Dripping Springs, TX 78620 6. The Bella Vista Ranch 3101 Mount Sharp Rd. Wimberly, TX 78676 7. Bending Branch Winery 142 Lindner Branch Trail Comfort, TX 78013 8. Chisholm Trail Winery 2367 Usener Rd. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 9. Comfort Cellars Winery 723 Front Street Comfort, TX 78013 10. Compass Rose Cellars Inc. 1197 Hye Albert Rd. Hye, TX 78635 11. Copper Star Cellars 256 W. Mill Street New Braunfels, TX 78130 12. Driftwood Estate Winery 4001 Elder Hill Rd. Driftwood, TX 78619 13. Dry Comal Creek Vineyards 1741 Herbelin Rd. New Braunfels, TX 78132 14. Dutchman Family Winery 13308 FM 150 W. Driftwood, TX 78619 15. Fall Creek Vineyards 1820 County Road 222 Tow, TX 78672 16. Fat Ass Winery Tasting Room 153 E. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 17. Fat Ass Ranch Winery 51 Elgin Behrends Rd. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 18. Fawncrest Vineyard & Winery 1370 Westside Circle Canyon Lake, TX 78133 19. Flat Creek Enoteca 112 US Hwy. 281 Marble Falls, TX 78654 20. Flat Creek Estate 24912 Singleton Bend East Rd. Marble Falls, TX 78654

21. Fly Gap Winery 2851 Hickory Grove Rd. Mason, TX 76856 22. Four Point Cellars 10354 E. US Highway 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 23. Fredericksburg Winery 247 W. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 24. Georgetown Winery 715 Main St. Georgetown, TX 78626 25. Grape Creek Vineyards 97 Vineyard Lane Fredericksburg, TX 78624 26. Hawk’s Shadow Estate Vineyard 7500 McGregor Lane Dripping Springs, TX 78620 27. Hilmy Cellars 12346 E. US Hwy. 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 28. Hye Meadow Winery 10257 US Highway 290 W., Hye, TX 78635 29. Inwood Estates WineryThe Vineyard at Florence 10303 Hwy. 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 30. Junction Rivers Winery 210 North 6th Street Junction, TX 76849 31. Kerrville Hills Winery 3600 Fredericksburg Road Kerrville, Texas 78028 32. Kuhlman Cellars 18421 E. US Hwy. 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 33. La Cruz de Comal Wines 7405 FM 2722 Startzville, TX 78133 34. Lewis Wines 3209 W. Highway 290 (Mail to PO Box 372) Johnson City, TX 78636 35. Lost Draw Cellars 113 E. Park St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 36. McReynolds Winery 706 Shovel Mountain Rd. Cypress Mill, TX 78663 37. Messina Hof Winery Hill Country 9996 E. US Highway 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 38. Pedernales Cellars 2916 Upper Albert Road Stonewall, TX 78671 39. Perissos Vineyards 7214 Park Road 4 West Burnet, TX 78611 40. Pilot Knob Vineyard 3125 CR 212 Bertram, TX 78605

41. Pontotoc Vineyard 338 W. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 42. Rancho Point Vineyard 315 Ranch Road 1376 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 43. Salt Lick Cellars 1800-C FM 1826 Driftwood, TX 78619 44. Sandstone Cellars Winery 211 San Antonio Street Mason, TX 76856 45. Santa Maria Cellars 12044 Hwy. 16 S. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 46. Singing Water Vineyards 316 Mill Dam Rd. Comfort, TX 78013 47. Sister Creek Vineyards 1142 Sisterdale Rd. Boerne, TX 78006 48. Six Shooters Cellars 6264 US Hwy. 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 49. Solaro Estate 13111 Silver Creek Rd. Dripping Springs, TX 78620 50. Spicewood Vineyards 1419 CR 409 Spicewood, TX 78669 51. Stone House Vineyard 24350 Haynie Flat Road Spicewood, TX 78669 52. Texas Hills Vineyard 878 RR 2766, PO Box 1480 Johnson City, TX 78636 53. Three Dude’s Winery 125 Old Martindale Road San Marcos, TX 78628 54. Torre di Pietra Vineyards 10915 East US Hwy. 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 55. The Vineyard at Florence 8711 W. FM 487 Florence, TX 76527 56. The Vintage Cellar 6258 E. US Hwy. 290 Fredericksburg, TX 78624 57. Winotus 115 E. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624 58. Westcave Cellars Winery 25711 Hamilton Pool Rd. Round Mountain, TX 7663 59. William Chris Vineyards 10352 Highway 290 Hye, TX 78635 60. Wimberly Valley Winery 2825 County Road 183 Driftwood, TX 78619 61. Woodrose Winery 662 Woodrose Lane Stonewall, TX 78671

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Are you Sommelier smart?

Test your wine knowledge. These are five sample questions from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits. If you can pass this test, you might be a good candidate for the course, which will be offered at Texas Tech University-Fredericksburg. (Answers below) 1. Compared with red wines, white wines are generally fermented at… a. Either higher or lower temperatures

c. Australian white wines d. California rosé wines 4. Which of the following words indicates that a wine has been aged for a period in oak?

b. The same temperature c. Higher tempatures

a. Chenin Blanc

d. Lower tempatures

b. Classico

2. Which grape variety is considered to produce high-quality white wines in both Germany and Australia?

c. Côtes du Rhône d. Crianza

a. Merlot

5. A Tawny Port is…

b. Semillon

a. Golden in colour, with yeasty flavors

c. Shiraz

b. High in tannins and acidity

d. Riesling

c. Sweet, with nutty aromas

3. Pinotage is a grape variety that is primarily used for…

d. Sparkling and dry in style

a. South African red wines b. Portuguese fortified wines

Answers: 1d, 2d, 3a, 4d, 5c

“The Texas Cheese & Wine Experience” • 5 artisan raw milk cheeses • 5 select wines • Daily 1:00 p.m. • Saturdays 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. • $20 per person -- reservations required

www.fourpointwine.com/tastings Enjoy sampling the best here!

FOUR POINT CELLARS 10354 E. US HWY. 290 FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624 830.997.7470

Monday thru Saturday 10am-6pm Sundays 11am - 5pm check the website for more details: www.fourpointwine.com

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On yOur jOurney Of fine living, visit us at the gallery. We are unexpected and unequaled in the texas hill cOuntry! 2 Fredericksburg Locations: 147A East Main Street 6260 US Hwy East 290 While on Main Street be sure to check out Savy E’s Boutique, located in the back.

Stay on Main or take a short drive out 290 East– at Rocky Hill complex. Live music every Saturday and Sunday. Phone: 830-997-4466 5 Tastings for $10 and a complimentary stemless Fiesta glass.

With a 3 bottle purchase your tasting is FREE!

Hours: Open 7 days a Week. Call for times. www.fiestawinery.com

209 sOuth llanO • 1 1/2 blOcks Off Main 830.997.0073 larryjacksOnantiques.cOM

Equipping the boom From left, sales associate Joseph Cole, owners Melissa Horn and Ryan Horn, and son Trenton, age 6, and manager Nikki Jackson.

The Vintner Vault is supporting the Texas winery ecosystem

By Megan Willome

Signs that the Hill Country wine industry has arrived was not marked by tasting rooms opening or even tour buses making the rounds, but by the fact that a winery supplier has opened in the area. While the Hill Country region has more than 40 wineries, it did not have a local source for equipment, supplies and service until The Vintner Vault opened in Hye this May. Ryan Horn started The Vintner Vault in 2003 in Paso Robles, California. There is also a store in Temecula, California. Horn wanted to expand to Texas and plans to use the site as a shipping hub, said Nikki Jackson, manager of The Vintner Vault. “We’re super centrally located for the East Coast and for the West Coast. A lot of our product comes from Italy. It was having to ship through South America and come up the Panama Canal. Now it comes to Houston,” Jackson said, adding that it will take about a year before The Vintner Vault does most of its shipping

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Photos by Sandra Jacoby

out of Texas. The Vintner Vault sells equipment for all sizes of wineries, from small in-house to commercial. They also carry supplies for breweries and distilleries. “Our main goal is customer service, being here for customers and selling a quality product. We don’t carry things if we can’t fix them, can’t stand behind them,” she said. Jackson met Horn about five years ago when he and her husband, Donny Jackson, owner of DJJ Dozing & Welding, were both working on a job at William Chris Vineyards. “One of the tanks got a hole in it, and my husband’s a welder, and that’s how they met,” Jackson said. Horn is a self-described “cellar rat” who has spent his entire career in the wine industry. He is already distributing selections from his California-based Wasted Youth Winery in Austin. “This is all he’s ever done,” Jackson said.

“He saw a need for quality equipment, to cut out the middleman, to get things made specifically how he wanted them. And because he’s a winemaker, he knows the needs.” Last year National Geographic published a list of Top 10 Spring Vineyards, featuring establishments from around the world. No. 3 was Justin Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles, where Horn once worked as a winemaker. No. 4 was Pedernales Cellars in Stonewall. Fredrick Osterberg is one of its four co-owners. He first met Horn at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and told him, “We’d love to have somebody like you here.” The Vintner Vault joins other businesses that have recently sprung up to support the wineries: two mobile bottling services and a wine storage facility. “Five years ago, something like Vintner Vault would not have happened,” Osterberg said. “We’re seeing this industry Continued

Celebrating 30 Years of Hospitality

Our goal is to make your vacation an enjoyable experience from the moment you begin planning your trip to moment you return home. We are confident you’ll be back to enjoy our lodging options in Fredericksburg and the surrounding Hill Country.

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WILLKOMMEN! Welcome to THE site for Fredericksburg, Texas real-estate and properties for sale. Nestled in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg’s smalltown atmosphere, relaxed life-style, and quality of life draws families and retirees from all over. Whether you are buying or selling, or just considering the perfect place for your retirement years, I would love to serve you EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

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Continued from page 16

developing. I think of it as an ecosystem.” In this ecosystem, Hill Country wineries do compete, but they also look out for one another. “There’s a sense that we’re in this together, and we’ll be successful together,” Osterberg said. “If our crusher breaks, somebody will step up and lend us a crusher and help us get through, and if it happened to someone else, obviously, we would help out.” Osterberg’s wife, Pedernales co-owner Julie Kuhlken, called The Vintner Vault’s presence “a transformation” for the local wine industry. “It’s a maturation point,” Kuhlken said. “We’ve been borrowing from each other when we run out because we’re ordering from a distance. Or when something breaks, things break — a lot.” Before The Vintner Vault opened, if something broke, wineries could order the part, but in addition to the expense of overnight shipping, it still might arrive too late, especially during crush, or harvest time, according to local winery owners. “I had bought something small, a valve or a pump, from Vintner Vault. We liked them but didn’t want to pay FedEx,” said Maureen McReynolds, co-owner of McReynolds Wines in Cypress Mill. “Here, I can just pick stuff up. It’s really convenient.” Maureen and her husband, Gerald “Mac” McReynolds, opened their winery outside Blanco in 2000. As a five-acre operation, they appreciate The Vintner Vault’s selection of small tanks and five-gallon barrels.

Texas Hill Country Winery and Vineyards Torre di Pietra is committed to the highest standards in the Vineyards and Winery to ensure that the best quality Wines are available for your enjoyment. Come taste our wines, shop for unique gifts and relax and listen to live music under the pavilion and piazza.

10915 E. US HWY 290 Fredericksburg,TX 78624 830-644-2829 www.torredipietra.com

Vintner Vault has supplies for any part of winery operations.

Horn is considering adding a custom crush facility in Hye, like the one at the Paso Robles location. In Vino Veritas serves as an extended showroom for products and a testing center, revealing which pieces of equipment can stand up to the wear and tear of winemaking and which can’t. In a year or so, he hopes to have a winery on the Hye property. “He wants to get some wine made and get his foot in the door and have some fun again,” Jackson said. The Vintner Vault is located at 9953 U.S. Highway 290 West in Hye. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 830-267-8888 to learn more or visit the website at www. thevintnervault.com. Megan Willome is managing editor and contributing writer for the Wacoan Magazine in Waco. She blogs about poetry and other things at www.meganwillome.com

Romance of Tuscany, Wines of Texas Monday-Thursday Monday-Thursday 11-5 11-5 pm pm Friday-Sunday Friday-Sunday 11-6 11-6 pm pm LIVE LIVE MUSIC MUSIC every every saturday saturday 1-5pm 1-5pm

ROCK&Vine Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Stompin’ Grounds by Lorelei Helmke

Pedernales’ old-world-style wines

Pedernales Cellars Winery sits just off U.S. 290 on Upper Albert Road in Stonewall and overlooks the river valley. It is a family operation that started in 1995 when Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken planted their first vines in what is now known as the Bell Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA). Their son and daughter are involved in the process; David makes the wine and Julie oversees the winery. The winery specializes in tempranillo and viognier but also incorporates touriga nacional, albarino and mourvèdre and others into their wines. David produces old-world-styled wines with Texas juice that have complexities and subtle flavors. They expect to produce 15,000 cases in 2015. Pedernales Cellars distributes three of their wines to local restaurants and some liquor stores: Texas Viognier, Texas Tempranillo and their Texas GSM (grenache, syrah and mourvèdre). Vino Blanco — Texas, 2013 Rich White — A chenin blanc base blended with chardonnay and roussanne. This medium bodied white wine from Texas has abundant stone fruit aromas, such as apricots, intertwined with a fresh baking spice, like nutmeg. The acidity allows for a smooth clean finish, and a touch of cream blends nicely in with all the flavors found in the glass. Pair with red fish, chicken, or cheeses like havarti or Brie.  Cinco — Texas White 2013 Light and Crisp — A blend of albariño, chenin blanc, viognier, roussanne and blanc de bois. Only the hardiest of grapes survived the 2013 vintage in Texas. Pedernales has taken those survivors and blended them into a most enjoyable summer white. The bright acidity shows through immediately with a palate of tropical fruits. Pineapple, banana and melon mingle with citrusy tangerine flavors and aromas. The wine finishes clean with the racy acidity and leaves the tongue ready for more. A wonderful accompaniment for shellfish, oysters and shrimp as well as ceviche. 

GSM — Texas 2013 Fruit Forward — Grenache, syrah, mourvèdre from vineyards the Kuhlken family owns and manages. Gorgeous ruby/garnet color and smoke graces the rim of the glass. There is a definitive dark cherry aroma and a hint of old world earthiness that adds beautiful complexity to wine. It is a lighter bodied wine but still full of flavor. Other aromas such as red licorice, dark berries, sage and soft leather create a wine that has a lush, satiny feel in the mouth and a long finish. Great alone or pair with wild game dishes, Bolognese or anything with mushrooms.  Tempranillo Reserve — Texas 2013 Complex Conundrum — 100% tempranillo — the best lots sourced from vineyards in Texas. Striking rusty ruby color that dissipates around the edges when tipped. This is a great example of what Texas can do with tempranillo in the hands of the right winemaker. David blends the fruit forwardness of the High Plains tempranillo with the structure found in variety grown in the Hill Country AVA to create a masterpiece of a wine. The cigar box aromas dance around the glass while vanilla and red cherry aromas envelope the senses. The leather fragrance is from the American Oak; it’s a saddle-like leather component. There is a hint of blackberry preserve that softens this big, bold red wine. This wine offers a balanced acidity and long finish. Pair this wine with a plate of manchego cheese, olives, and dried sausages or red meats.  Family Reserve 2012 Cellar Worthy — Proprietary blend, tempranillo based with touriga nacional (traditionally used in Port). This blend shows a deep garnet color, no doubt contributed by the touriga nacional. Once opened, it bursts with licorice notes, tobacco leaf and ripe blackberries. Full-bodied with a long finish, this wine will continue to evolve for years to come. This is an excellent wine to buy a case of

and drink a bottle a year for the next 12 years. Pair with Stilton or blue cheese and grilled ribeyes. The tannins will stand up to the marbling.  Texas Moscato 2014 Sweet Ones — Wonderful aperitif or delightful dessert. Brightly hued, vivacious aromas of honeysuckle and tangerine leap from the glass. Honey crisp apples and lemon drop flavors tickle the palate while lively acidities temper any syrupy characteristics that are often associated with Moscato. This wine is light and refreshing while viscous at the same time. It is balanced, just sweet enough, not overly so. It’s wonderful all by itself or as an accompaniment to lighter spicy dishes. Perfect for Sunday brunch or Thanksgiving Day dinner.  Lorelei Helmke, Certified Specialist of Wine and member of the Society of Wine Educators, introduces a winery to our readers. She tastes their wines and shares her observations and opinions. Helmke served as wine director for two liquor store chains fand developed an understanding of palate preferences. She now guides readers to wines they will love. Rating system  – Superior quality, masterfully produced  – Exceptional wine  – A better wine, quite quaffable and enjoyable  – A good wine, wellmade  – A drinkable wine that has minor flaws

Pasta Bella Restaurant

ROCK&Vine Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Coming Soon!

Appetizers/AntipAsto

Artichoke Bella • Caprese Salad • Pesto Bread • Fried Calamari Fried Eggplant • Cheese Stix • Garlic Bread • Pizza Bread Homemade Alfredo • Brueschetta • Soup of the Day

sAlAds

Green Salad • Caesar • Spinach Salad • Pesto Pasta Salad • Cranberry Salad

pAstA BellA ClAssiCs

Lasagna • Ravioli • Manicotti (try it with our garlic mushroom alfredo sauce)

rAvioli originAls

Ravioli Rustica • Sunflower Ravioli Sunburnt Ravioli Seafood Ravioli Ravioli “Pasta Bella Style”

pAstA BellA CreAtions Breadless Pizza • Stuffed Bell Pepper Fried Ravioli Eggplant Parmigiana “Pasta Bella Style”Chicken or Beef Parmigiana Chicken or Beef Piccata Chicken or Beef Burgundy

Hours of Operation

Monday-Saturday 11:00 - 2:00 • 5:30 - 9:00 103 South Llano • Fredericksburg, TX

www.BaronsCreekVineyards.com

830.330.4052

Join the Circle of Friends!

kuckucksnest

Authentic Dirndl and Trachten Wear from Austria and Germany Tues.-Fri. 11-5 • Sat. 11-3 or call for appointment 3150 N. State Hwy 16 (Llano Hwy.) Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830-997-9707 (H) • or 830-889-9707 (C) www.kuckucks-nest.com paulalauxkager@ymail.com

830-990-9778 Call Us for Catering! Or Get it To Go!

Daily Lunch Specials All Specials Served with our Fresh Bread, Salad

and Iced Tea MONDAY Spaghetti w/Meatballs TUESDAY Chicken Parmigiana WEDNESDAY Lasagna THURSDAY Fried Catfish FRIDAY Fettucini Alfredo SATURDAY Fried Ravioli SUNDAY CLOSED

Sources from The Hill Country Petrae & Vitis, page 24 Bluebonnet information from Texas Parks and Wildlife website; Ambitions Brew: The Story of American Beer by Maureen Ogle; Birds of Wimberley at VisitWimberley. com website; Step by Step Guide to Everything website on home remedies; Texas State Historical Association online information on Gillespie County; and Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute “Charactistics of Today’s Millennials.”

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Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Two local wineries named among ‘101 Best in America’ Two local wineries were identified in the “101 best wineries in the United States,” published by The Daily Mail. Inwood Estates Vineyards placed 75th and McPherson Cellars Winery took 83rd. There are now over 8,300 wineries in America. “The wineries on our list were nominated by experts in the field — sommeliers, wine writers, chefs, and restaurateurs, along with wine-savvy editors at The Daily Meal,” wrote Coleman Andrews, editorial director for The Daily Meal. “In the nomination process, we asked our panel to consider not just the obvious places — California, the Pacific Northwest, New York State — but the entire country.” Criteria was based not just on individual wines, but where the winery was in the American wine scene, dependabililty in the market place, audacious innovation and quality to price ratio. Inwood Estates Vineyards has led the Texas winemaking industry in discovering that the Spanish variety tempranillo makes a superb wine, neither Spanish nor Californian in character, in the Lone Star State. McPherson Cellars Winery has shown innovation with the Rhone River variety albarino, spurring new plantings all over the state. McPherson is part owner of 4.0 Cellars. Wines produced by these wineries can be found at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro and 4.0 Cellars located across from each other on Highway 290 East.

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Events: Chili Cookoff-3rd weekend in February Llano Testicle Festival-3rd Weekend of May Goat Cookoff-3rd Weekend of October Castell Gumbo Cookoff-1st Weekend of December Fredericksburg Featured in Texas Highways magazine and the Houston Chronicle Mason

377

Castell

BECKER VINEYARDS

T E X A S H I L L C O U N T RY HOURS: Monday-Thursday 10-5, Friday-Saturday 10-6, Sunday Noon-6

152

from Fredericksburg, Hwy. 290 East, one mile south on Jenschke Lane

830-644-2681 • www.beckervineyards.com

Call Marc or Randy Leifeste • 325-247-4100

ROCK&Vine Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Wine training on demand From ‘cardbordeaux’ to world class wines, specialist to educate industry workers

By Christine Granados

“Texas is moving beyond just Texas wines. We have world class ones. We’re no longer a pit stop.”

— Natalia Velikova, associate director of the Texas Wine Marketing Institute at Texas Tech University

A hunger for larger tips morphed into a lifelong passion of wine for San Antonio native, Veronique Cecilia Barretto. She will be sharing her love of wine as an instructor for the sommelier certification course that will be offered this fall at Texas Tech UniversityFredericksburg and Highland Lakes. The university is going through the process to offer a world-renown program from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), headquartered in London, which arranges courses and exams in the field of wine and spirits all over the world. Barretto received training in the New York office in order for TTU to become an Approved Program Provider (APP). She will be the course instructor for the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits. “Every WSET program provider completes a comprehensive Educator Training Program and must comply with ongoing monitoring, ensuring that quality standards are in place no matter where you pursue your studies,” said Ian Harris, CEO of WSET. “Our results demonstrate that there is a direct correlation between higher education standards and job performance in our industry. Our goal is to empower our students with the most up-to-date coursework, materials and teaching staff.” Natalia Velikova, associate director of the Texas Wine Marketing Institute at TTU and point person for the WSET program at TTU said, “It is generally regarded as one of the world’s leading providers of wine education. WSET requires the instructors to be certified at least one level higher than the level they teach. That was our basic pre-requisite with this course. However, we were also looking for someone who is not only knowledgeable about wine, but most importantly, is a good teacher. When Cecilia was introduced to us, she just fit the profile of who we were looking for. She has already gone through the WSET Educator Training and we are sure she will do an excellent job.” Barretto, who has WSET Level 3 qualifications, received her education in France. She has the equivalent of an MBA in wine from the Burgundy School of Business in France and an undergraduate degree Continued

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

in international relations from Occidental College in Los Angeles. She works for Pedernales Cellars as brand ambassador, sales and events coordinator. She says her wine specialist knowledge wasn’t inherent but hard-fought. “My first job out of high school was waiting tables at a French restaurant. The first table I waited on ordered a $200 bottle of wine. I had to call my boss to come to the table to explain the wine to customers. At the end of the dinner when I brought out the bill, there were their two dishes and a $200 bottle of wine, and I got the tip for that,” said Barretto. “That’s when I thought, I need to learn how to sell this wine. I asked the owner to teach me more about the wines. He gave me six wines and said start there. Since I’ve always been a bookworm, I read up on the encyclopedia offerings. I was this 18-year-old kid who was good at memorizing, and I was the top sales person for that summer.” “In college, I worked in fine dining adding to my knowledge and by the time I was 21, I knew more than the average bear about wines,” Barretto said. “To think, this all started because I wanted bigger tips.” Barretto impressed TTU enology instructor Maureen Qualia with her wine knowledge at a panel on Women in the Wine Industry at Fall Creek Vineyards in Driftwood in February. “Maureen was there for the education side and I was there to talk about the role of female sommeliers in the Hill Country,” Barretto said. “When Maureen Qualia said, ‘Are you interested in going to New York to get certified to be a provider?’ I was all over that.” Qualia was impressed by Barretto’s talent and schooling. “Cecilia is energetic and enthusiastic. While she is internationally trained, she is also an expert in Texas wines and very

knowledgeable of our local industry and the needs of our local workforce,” Qualia said. “I think she will also work well within an academic institution such as Texas Tech, having obtained a master’s in wine business from the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon, France.” Barretto said that the growth in the wine industry has created a need for this type of specialized training. The Fredericksburg area has the highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Texas with 81 vineyards and 55 wineries, and has been recognized as the secondmost popular wine tourism destination in the U.S., according to Texas Hill Country Wineries. The industry expansion continues at a rapid pace, driving the overall growth of the Texas wine industry, which has more than quadrupled in number of wineries in the past 10 years. In addition, TTU teaches two certificate programs in viticulture and winemaking, awarding students continuing education units (non-academic credits), Velikova said. Both programs are offered from the TTU Fredericksburg campus, which affords students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the teaching vineyard and winery lab. Since its launch in 2009, 57 students have graduated from the Viticulture certificate program. This program has a current enrollment of over 60 students. The Winemaking Certificate Program began in 2014 and currently has 30 students enrolled, according to Velikova. Barretto hopes to enhance wine knowledge for wine industry professionals, especially tasting room personnel in the Hill Country. “It’s valuable for wineries to have something like this out here. They’ll know that people behind the bar are not just reading from a script,” Barretto said. Because Hill Country wine industry per-

sonnel are interested in these types of certifications, Dr. Melanie Hart, vice provost of TTU funded the cost of the program’s approval and launching expenses, said Velikova. The nearest WSET-approved providers are 260 miles away in Dallas and Houston. “Commuting to these APPs is very impractical, if not impossible, for most industry employees in Fredericksburg. Having an APP on site will be a great advantage,” said Velikova, who will be in charge of the program. Barretto agreed. “There is a need for having certification for employees and management,” Barretto said. “They’ll know more about wine in general and not just Texas wines. Wineries can send a handful of employees. It’s a neat benefit to winery to have — for staff to speak about wines. “Plus, if a student in the wine program takes the course, they’ll have the knowledge to pass the level II test. In the future, TTU is going to require students to take it as part of their curriculum,” she said. These courses are not out of reach for anyone who has a full-time job, Barretto said. Her aim is to make these courses accessible to everyone. “I grew up knowing there was a box in the fridge that mom would drink to make her relax. I called it her happy juice,” she said. “I joke that my mom drank cardbordeaux.” Like the Texas wine industry, Barretto and her mother, Gloria, have grown out of the box and into more complex wines. “Texas is moving beyond just Texas wines. We have world class ones. We’re no longer a pit stop. People are coming here who have been to the different wine regions to taste wines — Napa, France, South Africa.” she said. “Texas is essential, and it is its own country after all.”

P R E M I U M T E X A S R E A L E S TAT E

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Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

Blue & Gray A commemoration in Comfort is held to honor victims of a Civil War-era massacre of some Hill Country Germans as they tried to outrun the Confederate cavalry. — Photo by Joe Kammlah

Hill Country German immigrants sided with Union during Civil War as they sought to uphold country’s ideals

By Joe Kammlah

For Germans in the Hill Country, the seminal event of the Civil War was the battle on the Nueces River and the subsequent massacre of the wounded survivors. Unionists, attempting to escape Confederate Texas in 1862, fought against Rebel troops who surprised the group as they camped on the banks of the Nueces River — only a short distance from freedom. The hard-fought battle resulted in the death of 18 Unionists. Some of those wounded were shot after being captured. In subsequent weeks, nine others were captured and murdered for a total of 34. Confederates buried only their dead and it was only after the war that Hill Country citizens returned to the McKinney County site to collect the bones. A mass grave with a marker was erected in Comfort to commemorate the battle entitled “Treue der Union” or “true to the Union.” It will ever be engrained in the minds of the ancestral families who were involved. But while this was the high tide in Confederate-Unionist antagonism, the resentment and bitterness between the two groups

had long festered. It came about because at the beginning of the Civil War the Germans in the Hill Country had voted by an overwhelming majority to remain in the Union. Despite favoring the Union, many of the Germans in Fredericksburg, and the surrounding counties, swore allegiance to the Confederacy instead of being shipped East, where the major fighting took place and in order to be allowed to stay home with family and defend the Texas frontier, away from the major fighting East. So the wearing of the blue or gray did not necessarily mean they had a deep commitment to fight for either side. It was more of a decision as to how to live out the rest of the war and remain in Texas. Some did flee to Mexico to eventually join the Union Army. Others stayed in Mexico to wait it out. But for many, they were willing to join a volunteer frontier force to protect the settlement from Indians. While a number of notable Fredericksburg names can be attached to the Confederate frontier forces muster list, it did not necessarily mean they were fiercely Confederate. Mayor Linda Langerhans and Pioneer Museum archivist Evelyn Weinheimer both agreed that the color of the uniform didn’t necessarily signify their true allegiance.

ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

A notable home guard captain was the descendent of Mayor Langerhans, Engelbert Krauskopf. An historical marker on Main Street mentions Krauskopf’s career as a cabinetmaker, gunsmith and gun-cap manufacturer. Yet despite wearing the gray, it did not tell the whole story. “I was surprised,” Langerhans said, “that he would help people who were hiding from Confederate troops.” Through family history, Linda said that her ancestor had a “code” while working at the gun-cap shop. If someone was in need of help, one of the children would come to the shop telling him, “Oscar (one of his sons) is sick.” This was a signal that someone fleeing martial law needed help. Others were not so lucky. Along with Confederate troops, outlaw bands, using the Confederacy as a moral shield, roamed the Hill Country, many times shooting or hanging citizens. Most history books name J.P. Waldrip as the worst of these. He and his gang were blamed for many of the atrocities to Hill Country citizens during the war and later was indicted for murder. Again, it was an ancestor of Langerhans who ended that story. According to a San Antonio Express article published many years after the war, in 1867, Waldrip returned to Fredericksburg for reasons unknown and was involved Many Hill Country in a running gunfight with Civil German settlers War veteran Phillip Braubach. were followers of Waldrip had been accused of murdering Braubach’s father-inthe “Freethinker” law during the war. philosophy, who felt Waldrip was wounded and tried to escape by hiding near a an intense loyalty to tree next to the Nimitz Hotel (in their new country the 100 block of North Washingand its commitment ton). A mysterious shot mortally wounded him. The article named to democracy and the shooter as Henry Langerhans, who purportedly fired his rifle freedom of religion. from his home diagonally across from the Nimitz Hotel. Langerhans was identified as the shooter in the article by his wife only after his death, as the family was fearful of the Waldrip gang and possible reprisals. Weinheimer also told of visitors to the Pioneer Museum and ancestors of local families who still fear the name Waldrip. And in a program on the Civil War hosted by the museum in 2014, presenters almost came to fisticuffs over how much Waldrip had done or had not done during the war. Nevertheless, the Civil War had a lasting effect on the Germans of the Texas Hill Country. It was a time of furtive whispers and constant suspicion. To this day you can hear stories of “hanging trees” still standing or of hand-dug caves used for hiding still scattered around the county,” Weinheimer said. Paul Burrier, who has spent many years researching these events, said that because of these atrocities, the western Hill County Germans drew back from the greater Texas, holding a distrust of outsiders for years to come, wanting only to hold on to their freedom and their land and remain “treue der Union.” Joe Kammlah, as a fifth generation native of Fredericksburg, has a keen interest in the history of Fredericksburg and Germans in Texas. He has received a number of writing/photography awards from the Associated Press and is on the board of the Gillespie County Historical Society.

Names of Germans massacred on the Nueces River and left are enscribed on the Treue der Union (loyalty to the Union) monument in the town of Comfort in Kendall County. The monument was dedicated on August 10, 1862.

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ROCK&Vine

Wine and lifestyle magazine of the Texas Hill Country

PETRÆ & VITIS

The Hill Country The state flower bluebonnet is one word. It is also known as the Lupinus texensis, buffalo clover, wolf flower, and el conejo in Spanish. Changing the color of the flower does not change the species. Therefore, it is proper to refer to bluebonnets with their color, such as pink bluebonnets, red bluebonnets and lavender bluebonnets. Blue bluebonnet is acceptable, though redundant. Lager comes from the German word “lagered,” which is derived from the German verb form largern, meaning to rest. When brewing was beginning in the states, light beers required more time and care to brew. Brewer’s stored the beer “in capacious wooden puncheons that held hundreds of gallons, stacking those in their caves,” or underground caverns, at near-freezing temperatures for two or three months. The combination of rest and cold endowed lager meant greater longevity than ale, which was good for shipping. Wild turkeys are surprisingly agile fliers and can be very smart, unlike their domestic counterparts. Although they usually fly close to the ground for short distances no longer than a few hundred yards, they can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour. They are also fast runners and like to nest over water when they can, for added protection. Unless a flock has become conditioned to human presence, you’ll not find it easy to creep up on these impressive birds. This remedy to increase the libido was created by German farmers who migrated to the United States of America. Harvest six ears of corn and remove silk from the tip of the corn. Then you need to take a pot and boil water in it.

Place the fresh silk in the boiling water for almost 15 to 20 minutes. Before the final step of making tea, it is strained and sweetened. You need to drink for three times a day. The chemical in the silk helps stimulate production of male sexual hormones. The legislature formally marked the new county off from Bexar and Travis counties on February 23, 1848, named it after Capt. Robert A. Gillespie, a hero of the Mexican War, and made Fredericksburg the county seat. Gillespie County originally included areas that today are parts of Blanco, Burnet, Llano and Mason counties. It underwent the first of five boundary changes in 1858, when the legislature formed Mason and Blanco counties, changed the Llano County boundary and established the present northern and eastern boundaries of Gillespie County. The last change came in 1883, when the county’s boundaries were redefined and its present limits set. Millennials, defined as people born in the early 1980s and late 1990s, are one of the most protected, empowered, indulged and connected generations in America. Their mindset and values are: Global – They expect to use another language at work; Technological – The internet is fundamental part of their existence; Diverse – They are tolerant of alternative lifestyles; Liberated – Their career is not the context for important life decisions; Authentic – They crave plain honest truths; Multisensory—They are visually oriented, use 3-5 pieces of technological equipment at the same time, have an attention span of seven to eight minutes and are poor spellers; and irreligious—They are the most un-churched generation in the U.S. R&V