Go Local. GO TEXAN. TEXAS FOOD, WINE, RESTAURANTS, RECIPES, GARDENING, STYLE & MORE VOLUME 6, ISSUE 14 O OCTOBER 2017
BARKING ROCKS WINERY:
MAKING GREAT TEXAS WINE ONE BOTTLE AT A TIME
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE O COMMISSIONER SID MILLER
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WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 2017 EDITION OF THE GO LOCAL. GO TEXAN. E-ZINE. October is Texas Wine Month — the perfect time to savor and experience the bountiful harvest and fine wine Texas has to offer. We couldn’t be more proud of the great wine being produced in our state and we invite you to taste and see how good it is. From cellars tucked away on country roads to wineries that dominate spacious vistas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In this issue, we highlight Barking Rocks Winery near Granbury. This awardwinning winery has been around since 2002 and its owner is a true artisan that carefully looks after each step of the winemaking process – from growing his own grapes to bottling and selling. We also look in on Jennifer Sterling, who came up with the idea for Texas Wine Maps to highlight the wineries and vineyards in the Texas Hill Country. These large, colorful posters do a great job of capturing the distinct look and
feel of each spot in this region. I like the tagline at the bottom, which says: “Seek and you shall find a bunch of great Texas wine.” For more information and a listing of the many wine events taking place all over the Lone Star State, visit our new website – uncorktexaswines.com. As always, we’re happy to show off the wide diversity among our GO TEXAN members. In this issue, you’ll also find articles on authentic western wear, a hardware store that has a special GO TEXAN section, hot sauce, a farmers market and more. We hope you’ll enjoy this issue. Be sure to share it with your friends and remember, Texas Agriculture Matters!
Sid Miller is an eighth generation farmer and rancher and the 12th Commissioner of Agriculture for the great state of Texas. Commissioner Miller has devoted his life to the agriculture industry, and supporting Texas producers and the communities they call home. He is a businessman, rancher, community leader, former ag teacher and former school board member. Commissioner Miller is a rodeo cowboy and holds nine world championship titles. He is an honors graduate of Tarleton State University in Stephenville, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Agriculture Education. He can be reached at Sid.Miller@TexasAgriculture.gov. 3
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BARKING ROCKS WINERY: ROCK ON! WHEN YOU HEAR TEXANS TALK ABOUT VISITING WINE COUNTRY, THERE’S A VERY GOOD CHANCE THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT A PLACE WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE. WINERIES AND TASTING ROOMS ARE LOCATED IN OUR RURAL REGIONS, IN SMALL TOWNS AND IN OUR MOST BUSTLING CITIES MAKING ACCESS CONVENIENT FOR WINE NOVICES OR SERIOUS WINE AFICIONADOS.
“One such location is Barking Rocks Winery. This winery has been an industry staple for years and is located just on the cusp of the Northern Texas Hill Country or just south of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, depending where you’re coming from. It’s no secret that Texas wineries are wonderful entertainment destinations. They are an economical choice for any Texan seeking an enjoyable day trip or a weekend retreat. Below are 5
a few reasons why you should visit Barking Rocks and what you might find when you get there.
Raised in upstate New York where wine was a part of his culture, Tiberia moved to Texas many years later when he felt the wine industry call One individual you will him and steer his career in a probably see making wine, new, exciting direction. After pruning grapevines or chatting attending Grayson College in up customers is Lawrence the early 2000’s and studying Tiberia (simply ‘Tiberia’ to under the late Texas wine most). As the son of Italian pioneer, Dr. Roy Mitchell, he immigrants, Tiberia is owner of learned how to make wine, met Barking Rocks Winery and one his partner, Sissy Andrews, and of a kind. the rest is history.
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The Texas wine industry has developed quite a bit over the last several years and Tiberia has seen it all, but one factor rises above the rest in his opinion.
He guards against losing that connection, because it is so vital to success and makes working in a business almost more fun than work.
“We get super stoked when we are part of the learning curve “We’ve been fortunate to of those interested in enjoying produce some spectacular wines over the years and that’s our product and sharing it with others,” Tiberia said. “However been incredible, but it’s the relationships that I’ve developed when our growth starts to with my colleagues, customers distance us from our customers, we will dial it in; we take our and vendors that is truly patrons very seriously.” special.” 7
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The Texas wine industry has come of age, but it still has a long way to go. In a business where competition is fierce and choices are many, Barking Rocks Winery stands ready to contribute.
friends, craftsmen, builders, chemists, politicians, growers, customers and businessmen, none of this would be possible.”
If you ever have an opportunity to visit with Tiberia, don’t be He likes to give credit where surprised if he pours you a credit is due. “I think of all the glass of wine, serves some local tireless people who have helped cheese, breaks some artisan bread over the years,” Tiberia said. and toasts the good life with a “Without our educators, pickers, beautiful Texas sunset serving 10
as the backdrop. There’s a good looking forward to sharing our chance he will also leave you with wines with new and returning some parting words of wisdom. customers and creating memories that will live well “Texas is blessed with a proud beyond the last drops.” population ready to line up and purchase the products grown For more information or to and produced here in the Lone schedule a visit to Barking Rocks Winery, click here. Star State,” Tiberia said. “GO TEXAN helps facilitate that. While the future is bright for our industry, I’m simply 11
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MAP QUEST TEXANS WHO HEAR A “POP” ECHOING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE THIS OCTOBER SHOULDN’T BE TOO CONCERNED. IT’S LIKELY THE STATE’S GROWING COMMUNITY OF WINEMAKERS UNCORKING THEIR ANNUAL VINTAGES AND EXCITING NEW RELEASES. IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST TEXANS AND PLAN TO VISIT ONE OF OUR WINERIES THIS FALL, LET THE TEXAS WINE MAPS COMPANY GUIDE YOU. Texas Wine Maps is a familyowned business conceived by fellow wine lovers Jennifer Sterling and her husband, Lance. He and her daughter, Alyssa, will often help roll and pack the wine maps for shipping. You might even spot their dog, Snickers, accompanying them on the mail run. With more than 400 wineries dotting the Lone Star
landscape, these maps are not only beautiful but functional as you set out on your Texas wine adventure. “I feel like the Texas Hill Country Wine Map is a ‘treasure map,’” Jennifer said. Each unique winery was drawn, water-colored and is an actual 13
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Wine maps in production
representation of each picturesque or your favorite winery tasting location. room for even more detailed information. The free Texas wine “Seek and you shall find, a bunch directory includes each winery’s of great Texas wine,” she always address, phone number, hours says. “I challenge everyone to get and information on whether it’s out and support our local wineries pet friendly and has facilities for and winemakers.” picnicking. Their website will help maximize your Texas Hill In addition to the printed Texas Country wine experience. Wine Map, check out their website at TexasWineMaps.com. There you The Texas Hill Country Wine will find an interactive map where Map is available for sale in the you can click on a winery label gift shops of about 25 wineries in 16
Jennifer and Lance Sterling
the Hill Country and on several Texas-oriented websites. “Creating this map was a moment of pride for our family,” Sterling said. “We think it’s beautiful and love it. In fact, our greatest compliment is hearing that winery owners, tasting-room employees and wine lovers of all ages also love and use our map. That is truly gratifying.”
As proud GO TEXAN members, Laura and her family hint that other Texas regional wine maps may be on the horizon. She also has a positive prediction about the entire state. “My crystal ball shows great things for the Texas wine industry,” she said. “I just hope our vineyards can keep up with the demand for today’s savvy wine consumer.”
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Celebrate
OCTOBER TEXAS WINE MONTH From rom cellars cellars tucked tucked away away on on country country roads roads to to wineries wineries that that dominate dominate spacious spacious vistas, vistas, there’s there’s something something for for everyone everyone to to enjoy. enjoy. With With more more than than 400 400 wineries wineries spanning spanning the the Lone Lone Star Star State, State, you you can can enjoy enjoy special special tastings, tastings, food food and and wine wine pairings, pairings, festivals festivals and and more more all all in in our our own own backyard. backyard. The The Texas Texas Department Department of of Agriculture Agriculture invites invites you you and and your your friends friends to to join join us us to to uncork uncork new new possibilities possibilities and and raise raise aa glass glass to to celebrate celebrate Texas Texas wines wines this this October. October.
Find an event near you at:
UncorkTexasW
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Wines.com 19
SCHAEFER OUTFITTER: STYLISH TEXANS EVEN THOUGH SCHAEFER OUTFITTER IS CELEBRATING THEIR 35TH BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, DON’T EXPECT OWNER RICK GRANT TO SLOW DOWN ANY TIME SOON. THIS TOUGH TEXAS ENTREPRENEUR COMES FROM HARD-WORKING, HUMBLE ROOTS; DEFINING HIS SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MODEL FROM HIS TRUE GRIT, DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE. Schaefer Outfitter was founded in 1982 and suffered a series of trials and tribulations over the years. In 2000, Rick and his wife purchased Schaefer outright and eventually relocated to Fort Worth. 20
“As sole owner, now I could build the company to my vision, that included an expanded assortment of jeans, vests, outerwear, shirt and hats,” Grant said.
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It seems only fitting the largest Texas made apparel brand be located in the heart of Cowboy Country. Schaefer Outfitter has always taken a lot of pride capturing the essence of the working cowboy. “In May of this year, we took it to a whole new level reshooting the entire line,” Grant said. They spent a week each in Strawn, Texas, and Mackay, Idaho, capturing over 22,000 images, 36 hours of video and 8 hours of drone featuring working cowboys in their element whether it be branding, pack trains, cattle drives, doctoring and more. “It was an awesome experience I’ll never forget, setting the foundations for future designs,” Grant said. Today, Schaefer has a 10,000 square foot distribution center, office headquarters and a 1,500 square foot retail store featuring everything they develop and build all in one place. “It’s a dream come true for me,” Grant said. “I’ve been trying for years to have a flagship store tied to our distribution center and could never find the right spot. There’s no other place like it, 25
featuring over 90 different styles of Texas made western wear and outdoor apparel, not to mention the dozens of accessory items. The store also gives us the opportunity to get valuable input from customers – whether it be an existing product of products in development.” Despite threats and challenges, Schaefer Outfitter remains true to their roots – only sourcing and using American textiles like home-grown fabric, trims and leather. While this keeps him busy, he still finds talking to their ‘salt of the earth’ customers over the phone remains one of his retail joys. “We are proud to be a part of GO TEXAN. The branding of the program stands leagues above any other state program in the U.S.,” Grant said. “We feature the GO TEXAN logo everywhere we can from hang tags to packaging.” For more information, to get a catalog or to sign up for their emails, click here. 26
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Store owners Bill and Susan M with son Jason Murff at the gr
Murff rilling center.
CYPRESS ACE HARDWARE: HARD-CORE TEXANS SELECTING A HARDWARE STORE ISN’T NEARLY AS EASY AS IT USED TO BE. TODAY’S CHOICES SEEM VIRTUALLY ENDLESS, WITH STORES AROUND EVERY CORNER. BUT IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR TEXAS-FRIENDLY PERSONALITIES, QUALITY GOODS AND A REPUTATION BUILT ON HARD WORK AND INNOVATION, LOOK NO FARTHER THAN ACE HARDWARE. One such Ace Hardware store is located in Cypress and owned and operated by Bill and Susan Murff. “In order to survive in this dynamic environment, our goal is to keep things fresh and exciting for our loyal consumers,” Susan said. “This store is in a constant state of growth and change, something both our customers and employees love. In fact, one of our employees mentioned that unpacking and setting up new 29
promotional items and displays makes “The GO TEXAN section was a hit. With our commitment to Texas and it feel like Christmas around here all our customer base, visibility and the time, which makes me smile.” sales for these items has substantially As proud native Texans,and GO increased,” Susan said. “Everyone TEXAN members, Bill and Susan involved in this locally-driven initiative has prospered.” have always had an interest in Texas agriculture and items made or manufactured in our great state. Now the store has started displayed GO TEXAN products not just in one They’ve added a number of GO TEXAN products in their store as a section, but all over the store. way to support Texas entrepreneurs and fulfill the demand for local goods “If we had a customer shopping and products. for specialty seasonings they automatically went to the grilling 30
center, possibly missing out on our GO TEXAN seasonings,” Susan said. “We have since moved our GO TEXAN items throughout the store, into their appropriate departments, resulting in increased sales.” Ace Hardware has a long and storied history. It truly is a story of innovation, resiliency and preservation, much like many of the Texans affected by the recent events of Hurricane Harvey.
“Our store is a mirrored reflection of this state’s can-do, hard-working spirit, something we take great pride in. Texas truly is an awesome place to have a business. This store prides itself on customer service and continues to build its business around wonderful employee/customer relationships.” With GO TEXAN serving as a catalyst, Texans supporting Texans should hold true for generations to come! For more information on this uniquely Texan hardware store, click here. 31
LA CASITA HOT SAUCE: A LABOR OF LOVE SAN BENITO, TEXAS IS A SMALL TOWN, TUCKED IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY AND HOME TO SINGER/SONGWRITER FREDDY FENDER. IT IS ALSO THE HEART AND SOUL OF ONE SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS GO TEXAN PRODUCT – LA CASITA HOT SAUCE™.
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Veronica Westlake is the owner and creator of La Casita Hot Sauce and credits her mother and grandmother for inspiring her culinary passion.
spices and other local products.”
“In spite of the heat coming from our tiny kitchen, la cocina (kitchen in Spanish) was the heart of the house. There, the colors were vibrant, smells divine and our countertops were over-flowing with ripe Roma tomatoes, chile pequins, and an array of other peppers,
“I’ve done my best to give those qualities back to others in every jar of La Casita Hot Sauce,” Westlake said. “To honor the tradition of being the best and only using the finest ingredients, my grandmother’s picture is on the label of every La Casita and
Veronica has always done her best to recreate that same love shared in her grandmother’s kitchen.
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used as a reminder of her influence. The philosophy is to keep the recipe simple, and let the flavors of the fresh produce speak for themselves.” La Casita Hot Sauce is uniquely delicious, because it uses fresh produce like those delicious Roma tomatoes. It has a low sodium content, has no additional sugar, is vinegar and gluten-free, and doesn’t include onions. Freshness is naturally maintained in each jar and has a shelf life of 18 months. La Casita takes pride in being a native Texan company and being part of the GO TEXAN family.
“It is a big part of our business model,” Westlake said. “Its Texas-shaped mark is identifiable and puts us firmly in front of buyers on a local, national and international stage. The opportunities are endless.” One of the opportunities that turned out well for them was being an H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Primo Pick in 2015. “It was a distinct honor,” Westlake said. “We feel like GO TEXAN ambassadors!” For more information on La Casita Hot Sauce, click here.
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PEARL BREWERY FAR FROM OUR STATE TO YO IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES AND ENVISION A TEXAS FARMERS MARKET, WHAT DO YOU SEE – BASKETS OF FARM-FRESH VEGETABLES, SUNDRENCHED CITRUS, OR CARTONS OF FRESH SWEET BLUEBERRIES? FOR MANY, THE ANSWER IS YES, BUT IF YOU LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER, 36
RMERS MARKET: YOUR PLATE THESE ‘SATELLITE FARMS’ GO BEYOND THE OBVIOUS. THEY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, CULINARY FIBER AND BEST OF TEXAS AGRICULTURE IN EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS. 37
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ne such location, the Pearl Brewery Farmers Market in San Antonio, was created to be a culinary catalyst for this heritagerich and iconic city.
organic produce, fresh flowers, an educational CHEF (Culinary Health Education for Families) program and a kids’ splash pad named Gustaf’s Geysers.
“We needed a unique and high quality ingredient source for not only the chefs but the population at large,” market director Nancy Fitch said.
“The inclusion, diversity, and community are what make our market one of the best in San Antonio.”
Open every weekend, this Farmers Market comes equipped with progressive vendors, seasonal and
San Antonio’s culture and customer base make this particular market dynamic. Customers include the market regulars, local chefs and 39
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tourists. They are invited to picnic on the grass, listen to the live music, stock up on some groceries or watch a healthy-recipe cooking demonstration on a Saturday afternoon. The vendors are equally as impressive. These individuals are friendly, knowledgeable and loaded with unique items like microgreens, squash blossoms, small batch kombucha, heritage pork, wagyu beef and artisanal breads – products that are not typically found in larger grocery stores. Their food is grown in small batches and is simply fresher, plus, you’ve just decreased the distance your food has to travel to get on your plate.
Think about it: When you look for, ask for, and buy from vendors at a farmers market, your money stays in the state, helping boost local businesses and helping sustain thousands of Lone Star jobs. In short, the GO TEXAN program and the Pearl Farmers Market are partners, working towards similar goals. Both are important, grassroots movements that are continuing to prioritizing Texas agriculture products and producers first. For more information on the Pearl Brewery Farmers Market, click here. 41
ike pes l g i c e r r othe an.or Find at gotex this
RECIPE: CLASSIC CHOCOLATE PIE WITH MERINGUE
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This delicious dessert comes courtesy of GO TEXAN member A Texas Gal Cooks. “This is an all-time favorite chocolate pie of my family, and all my friends,” author Carolyn Stovall said. “I usually use the 5 egg whites in the meringue of this pie, but only 4 yolks in the pie. I like to use Ghirardelli™ Chocolate in this chocolate pie. It makes it richer tasting, and a smoother chocolate pie.”
Chocolate Pie Directions: 1. Put dry ingredients in a saucepan, and mix those well. 2. Add the milk and beaten eggs. 3. Cook over medium heat, stirring it a lot, until thick. 4. Take off of heat. Add butter and vanilla. 5. Pour into a pre-baked pie shell and let cool while preparing the Meringue.
Meringue Directions: 1. In a large mixing bowl, separate the yolks from the whites with an egg separator, being careful not to get any of the yellow of the yolk in the whites. The egg whites will not beat if there is any yolk in the egg whites. 2. Beat the egg whites for about a minute to mix. 3. Add the powdered sugar, and cream of tartar. 4. Beat until stiff and holds peaks. 5. Add vanilla, and beat a minute more. 6. Put the meringue on top of the pie, touching the crust all around the pie. 7. Bake on the middle shelf in a 275 degree oven until brown. Check often. The meringue browns quickly. Cool completely before cutting.
Meringue Ingredients: 5 Egg whites, separate from yolks ¼ cup Powdered sugar 2 tbsp. Cream of tartar 1 tsp. Vanilla
Hint: This filling can be made in the microwave in a large glass bowl. Put it on for 2 minutes, stir, and then cook 2 more minutes, stir, then cook 2 more minutes; stirring until it is thick. This filling is smooth as silk.
Chocolate Pie Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup Sugar 5 tbsp. Flour 4 tbsp. Powdered chocolate 1/4 tsp. Salt 4 Egg yolks, beaten 2 1/2 cups Milk 1 tbsp. Butter 1 tsp. Vanilla 1 Baked pie crust
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SPOT THE GO TEXAN MARK CHALLENGE Want a fun way to share the best of Texas with the world? It’s easy! GO TEXAN uses social media tools like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to post GO TEXAN events, share member news and increase awareness of the wide variety of products grown and made right here in the Lone Star State.
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Challenge: If you spot the GO TEXAN mark, let us know. Send us a picture of the mark on a product, sign or printed materials, and tell us where you saw it. Be sure to use the GO TEXAN hashtag (#GOTEXAN) when you post, so we can easily share your message, or send us an email.
UPCOMING TEXAS EVENTS September 29-October 22: State Fair of Texas, Dallas October 20: Date Night Under the Stars, Grapevine October 20: Riedel & Fall Creek Wine Tasting, Driftwood October 20-22: Old Town Festival & Wooden Boat Festival, Port Aransas October 20-22: Yorktown Western Days Festival, Yorktown October 22: The United Estates of Texas Wine Festival, Florence October 26: GO TEXAN Wine Dinner, Fredericksburg October 28: Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, Fredericksburg October 28: Barbeque on the Pedernales, Stonewall View more Texas events here. View more updated Texas wine events here. 45
About GO TEXAN
Launched in 1999 by the Texas Department of Agriculture, GO TEXAN, with its signature mark in the shape of Texas, celebrates, promotes and supports the business savvy and plainspoken grit Texas agriculture is known for throughout the world. Whether it’s grown, sewn or served up on a plate, nearly 27 million Texans shop, travel and dine out in support of Texas businesses, agriculture and communities, looking for the GO TEXAN mark to light the way. To learn more about the GO TEXAN program, call (877) 99-GOTEX or visit the GO TEXAN website. Tell others about GO TEXAN! One great and easy way is to forward them this publication. All your friends have to do to is click here to subscribe, and they’ll start receiving the Go Local. GO TEXAN. free monthly e-zine.
About the Texas Department of Agriculture
TDA’s mission is to partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation’s leader in agriculture, fortify our economy, empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban and urban Texas through exceptional service and the common threads of agriculture in our daily lives. 46