The first time my husband and I set out for Texas Wine Country we hadn’t a clue where to begin, so we started close-at-
hand. Flat Creek Estate was almost literally right down the road, so why not begin there? After several months of wine
tasting, dining and scenic drives, we still find that the winery in our own backyard keeps drawing us back. The beautiful
drive, the exuberant and gracious “Divas,” the award winning wines, and even Trooper, the 10-year-old red Doberman,
continue to entertain us. But I get ahead of myself! First, you’ll want some background on Texas wines.
I don’t know about you, but my first thought when contemplating Texas wines was, “it’s too hot there!” followed closely by the
dissonant vision of bluebonnets, cactus and cattle intermixed among grapevines - And in some ways, I wasn’t too far off:
hand. Flat Creek Estate was almost literally right down the road, so why not begin there? After several months of wine
tasting, dining and scenic drives, we still find that the winery in our own backyard keeps drawing us back. The beautiful
drive, the exuberant and gracious “Divas,” the award winning wines, and even Trooper, the 10-year-old red Doberman,
continue to entertain us. But I get ahead of myself! First, you’ll want some background on Texas wines.
I don’t know about you, but my first thought when contemplating Texas wines was, “it’s too hot there!” followed closely by the
dissonant vision of bluebonnets, cactus and cattle intermixed among grapevines - And in some ways, I wasn’t too far off:
Okay - I admit it - these pictures were not taken at Flat Creek Estate - but they WERE taken on our way to the next winery. We
got lost and truly had to wait in the car until the mother and calf had crossed the road. We did find that the wineries in Texas
are sometimes remote from one another. It is true that Texans do not have the same sense of distance as the rest of the
States! Be forewarned that "down the road" may not mean the same to you as it does to a Texan!
got lost and truly had to wait in the car until the mother and calf had crossed the road. We did find that the wineries in Texas
are sometimes remote from one another. It is true that Texans do not have the same sense of distance as the rest of the
States! Be forewarned that "down the road" may not mean the same to you as it does to a Texan!
This picture of the Texas State Flower, the Bluebonnet (center) was taken
just on the other side of the wall of the open-air pavilion at Flat Creek
just on the other side of the wall of the open-air pavilion at Flat Creek
In doing my research, and after sitting down for a nice long chat with Madelyn Naber, the female half of the proprietor duo at
Flat Creek, I found that grape-growing in Texas is really no more, and no less, of a challenge than anywhere on earth. It is
true that in this beautiful Texas Hill Country (see the link below for a map of the area), temperature extremes must be taken
into consideration. Obviously, one will not easily grow tremendous cool-weather varietals like Riesling and Pinot Noir. On the
other hand, Texas winemakers and vineyard managers are quickly learning that many varietals are quite well-suited to the
Texas weather - and I was in luck - some of the most successful varietals in Texas include Sangiovese, Syrah and several
Muscat varieties which are all favorites of mine! There are also Texas Hill Country vineyards successfully growing Viognier,
another personal favorite as well as a “trendy” grape of the moment. And don't think that only traditional hot-weather varieties
are grown here. There are vineyards successfully producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot as well (albeit
under somewhat challenging circumstances)!
With a glass of newly bottled Cabernet in hand, Madelyn and I had a chance to chat in their lovely tasting room about
winemaking in Texas. We began with the whole subject of grapes, and the pre-conceived idea held by many that only certain
parts of this country can make engaging, enjoyable, well-crafted wines. We both agreed that to say that would be no different
from saying, “you can’t grow vegetables,” in some particular location. Any of you who are gardeners know that you can
ALWAYS grow vegetables; the challenge is to find the ones that do well in your particular climate, with your particular soil and
rainfall conditions, and taking into consideration the various pests that can damage a crop in a particular location. Rick and
Madelyn have learned this first-hand, both from their farming roots in Iowa, and while living near the California and New York
wine regions. In the Texas Hill Country, some of the considerations for grape-growing are temperature and rainfall extremes,
sometimes poor soil conditions, (but, as you may know, poor soil conditions sometimes are a precursor to GOOD wines – but
that’s a subject for another blog), susceptibility to Pierce’s Disease, and even the ever-present Hill Country deer population
that seems to enjoy the grapevines almost as well as we humans do!
So - *whew* - do you feel educated now? Just remember that the answer is you CAN grow terrific grapes and make quality
wines in the Texas Hill Country if you do your homework and are ready to work hard. Flat Creek Estate itself is now bottling
over 5,000 cases per year, and will soon be expanding to a 10,000 case-per-year winery. Texas has become the number two
wine destination in the United States, second only to Napa, so obviously many vineyard owners are doing a tremendous job,
and consumers are enjoying their wines and their locale.
Flat Creek, I found that grape-growing in Texas is really no more, and no less, of a challenge than anywhere on earth. It is
true that in this beautiful Texas Hill Country (see the link below for a map of the area), temperature extremes must be taken
into consideration. Obviously, one will not easily grow tremendous cool-weather varietals like Riesling and Pinot Noir. On the
other hand, Texas winemakers and vineyard managers are quickly learning that many varietals are quite well-suited to the
Texas weather - and I was in luck - some of the most successful varietals in Texas include Sangiovese, Syrah and several
Muscat varieties which are all favorites of mine! There are also Texas Hill Country vineyards successfully growing Viognier,
another personal favorite as well as a “trendy” grape of the moment. And don't think that only traditional hot-weather varieties
are grown here. There are vineyards successfully producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot as well (albeit
under somewhat challenging circumstances)!
With a glass of newly bottled Cabernet in hand, Madelyn and I had a chance to chat in their lovely tasting room about
winemaking in Texas. We began with the whole subject of grapes, and the pre-conceived idea held by many that only certain
parts of this country can make engaging, enjoyable, well-crafted wines. We both agreed that to say that would be no different
from saying, “you can’t grow vegetables,” in some particular location. Any of you who are gardeners know that you can
ALWAYS grow vegetables; the challenge is to find the ones that do well in your particular climate, with your particular soil and
rainfall conditions, and taking into consideration the various pests that can damage a crop in a particular location. Rick and
Madelyn have learned this first-hand, both from their farming roots in Iowa, and while living near the California and New York
wine regions. In the Texas Hill Country, some of the considerations for grape-growing are temperature and rainfall extremes,
sometimes poor soil conditions, (but, as you may know, poor soil conditions sometimes are a precursor to GOOD wines – but
that’s a subject for another blog), susceptibility to Pierce’s Disease, and even the ever-present Hill Country deer population
that seems to enjoy the grapevines almost as well as we humans do!
So - *whew* - do you feel educated now? Just remember that the answer is you CAN grow terrific grapes and make quality
wines in the Texas Hill Country if you do your homework and are ready to work hard. Flat Creek Estate itself is now bottling
over 5,000 cases per year, and will soon be expanding to a 10,000 case-per-year winery. Texas has become the number two
wine destination in the United States, second only to Napa, so obviously many vineyard owners are doing a tremendous job,
and consumers are enjoying their wines and their locale.
Coming down the road on the way to Flat Creek Estate - notice the grapevines
on either side. The pavilion is to the left and tasting rooms to the right.
on either side. The pavilion is to the left and tasting rooms to the right.
Lovely views around the open air pavilion where live music is often to be found in true Austin style!
The surprises continued as we went into the tasting room. Here, as in many other Hill Country wineries, the tasting ritual
is handled a bit differently than in other wine regions. You pick your table and are actually waited on by wine servers
(Flat Creek calls them wine “Divas” or “Divos”) who not only present you with the tasting menu but also describe the wines
as they are served. No budding waiters here – the Divas/Divos are part of the estate family who live, breathe and love
these wines, and their enjoyment shows in the knowledge they share with their guests. I have to admit, this is one of our
favorite Texas wine traditions!
is handled a bit differently than in other wine regions. You pick your table and are actually waited on by wine servers
(Flat Creek calls them wine “Divas” or “Divos”) who not only present you with the tasting menu but also describe the wines
as they are served. No budding waiters here – the Divas/Divos are part of the estate family who live, breathe and love
these wines, and their enjoyment shows in the knowledge they share with their guests. I have to admit, this is one of our
favorite Texas wine traditions!
The best way to enjoy wine - with family and good friends! (I'm the blonde
with her eyes closed!)
with her eyes closed!)
After trying a few of the offerings, and learning about Flat Creek Estate wines from our Diva, we decided to take a Port and
Chocolate tasting out onto the deck, where we were again amazed to look out over fields, ponds, water gardens and
grapevines – all set against a Texas backdrop of Oak Trees, Mesquite and Cactus! This first experience at Flat Creek was
truly relaxing, enjoyable and surprisingly, filled with quite nice wines.
Chocolate tasting out onto the deck, where we were again amazed to look out over fields, ponds, water gardens and
grapevines – all set against a Texas backdrop of Oak Trees, Mesquite and Cactus! This first experience at Flat Creek was
truly relaxing, enjoyable and surprisingly, filled with quite nice wines.
Yes - Cactus near the vineyards! But look below - beautiful waterfalls as well!
While many grapes that are used in Texas Hill Country wines are still sourced from other areas, including areas both inside
and outside of Texas, Flat Creek Estate prides itself on the many estate-grown varietals making it into their bottles,
including Shiraz, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and several Portuguese Port varietals.
Our favorites, hands down, were the Sangiovese-based Super TEXAN (I love this play on words), and the Muscat Blanco.
There was no doubt that, while the wines of Texas are not the same as the wines of California or Bordeaux (and who would
want them or expect them to be?) they have an interesting and enjoyable flavor profile of their own. These were
well-crafted wines, many of which offered up the common Texas Hill Country terroir aromas of cedar and juniper.
and outside of Texas, Flat Creek Estate prides itself on the many estate-grown varietals making it into their bottles,
including Shiraz, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo, Sangiovese and several Portuguese Port varietals.
Our favorites, hands down, were the Sangiovese-based Super TEXAN (I love this play on words), and the Muscat Blanco.
There was no doubt that, while the wines of Texas are not the same as the wines of California or Bordeaux (and who would
want them or expect them to be?) they have an interesting and enjoyable flavor profile of their own. These were
well-crafted wines, many of which offered up the common Texas Hill Country terroir aromas of cedar and juniper.
Only a few of the almost 100 award-winning Flat Creek Estate Wines
I was happy to know that I wasn’t the only one that found myself truly enjoying the wines that Texas has to offer, especially at
this beauty of an estate. Flat Creek Estate has won nearly 100 medals since 2002, including two Best Winery awards in 2005
from Texas’ Best Wine Competition. Flat Creek Estate was also named one of, “America’s 50 Most Amazing Wine
Experiences” by Food and Wine Magazine. That came as no surprise, considering their lovely facilities, award-winning
wines and the Texas hospitality offered by the Nabers, the Divas and Divos, and even Trooper! I can’t wait to take part in
Flat Creek’s “Jamming in the Vineyard Series” held in their open pavilion throughout the summer and fall!
this beauty of an estate. Flat Creek Estate has won nearly 100 medals since 2002, including two Best Winery awards in 2005
from Texas’ Best Wine Competition. Flat Creek Estate was also named one of, “America’s 50 Most Amazing Wine
Experiences” by Food and Wine Magazine. That came as no surprise, considering their lovely facilities, award-winning
wines and the Texas hospitality offered by the Nabers, the Divas and Divos, and even Trooper! I can’t wait to take part in
Flat Creek’s “Jamming in the Vineyard Series” held in their open pavilion throughout the summer and fall!
What would a Texas winery be without the winery dog? Trooper may be a Red Doberman -
but I don't believe anyone has taught him to secure the borders (but don't hold me to that!)
but I don't believe anyone has taught him to secure the borders (but don't hold me to that!)
Christy's Blog...a Taste of Wine In Texas
Learn more about Texas wines and the Texas Hill Country:
I Did My Research |
The Fun Part - the Road Trip
We live in a lovely, but relatively flat, area of Texas just north of Austin. So, as we left home on that first wine excursion, we were
amazed when, not 10 minutes into our trip west, we were in real hills – not gently rolling, but HILLS, much like we have often
encountered in the wine regions of Northern California. The views were breathtaking. The trip immediately had my husband
wishing he hadn't recently sold his Corvette! (ahhh…if he’d only known there were roads like this in Texas.) The surprise
continued when we rounded the corner and saw beautiful, just beginning to bud, grapevines on either side of the road. At the
end of the drive was a lovely stone pavilion with tasting rooms beyond. Surely we weren't in Texas anymore?
amazed when, not 10 minutes into our trip west, we were in real hills – not gently rolling, but HILLS, much like we have often
encountered in the wine regions of Northern California. The views were breathtaking. The trip immediately had my husband
wishing he hadn't recently sold his Corvette! (ahhh…if he’d only known there were roads like this in Texas.) The surprise
continued when we rounded the corner and saw beautiful, just beginning to bud, grapevines on either side of the road. At the
end of the drive was a lovely stone pavilion with tasting rooms beyond. Surely we weren't in Texas anymore?