When most people think of the origin of great wine, places like France and California come to mind. Texas is not exactly known for our expertise in the wine industry. When thinking of Texas, things like the Alamo, BBQ and Tex-Mex come to mind; and certainly, sweet tea over fine wine. Did you know that Texas is the fifth largest grape and wine producing state in the U.S., with more than 220 family-owned vineyards in a $1 billion industry?
Over the last ten years, the Texas wine industry has grown by leaps and bounds. At one time, wine-lovers traveled miles to find their favorite vintages. Today, the convenience of boutique wineries and vineyards all across the Lone Star State has made finding great wine a simple task. Three East Texas vintners shared their philosophy on the Texas wine industry and all that it entails. Kiepersol Estates Winery and Vineyards just outside of Tyler, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards in Pittsburg and Tara Vineyard and Winery in Athens are pouring their Texas wines with pride.
Kiepersol Estates
The Kiepersol Estates Winery is nestled in a beautiful 60-acre vineyard of red grape varietals hand-planted in April of 1998 and May of 1999. Kiepersol's first vintage was in 2000 and they have continued to grow in acclaim as well as production and acreage. After emigrating from South Africa to the U.S. in 1984, with his two daughters, Marnelle and Velmay, Pierre de Wet has become the leader in wine production in East Texas.
Marnelle Durrett, Pierre’s eldest daughter, is the estate manager and head winemaker. Marnelle learned the science and skill of wine making while apprenticing in Napa Valley, California. Equipped with her inherited enthusiasm for agriculture and her passion for wine making, Marnelle is the driving force behind Kiepersol’s award winning vintages. “There is something spectacular about capturing a time and place in a bottle. You will never make the exact wine more than once. It’s romantic,” she said.
Los Pinos Ranch
Jeff Sneed, owner and wine maker of Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards in Pittsburg, has a philosophy about life and about wine that greatly contradicts the views and standards of his Californian counterparts. Leaving California and his engineering background behind in search of a simple, more fulfilling lifestyle, he relocated in East Texas. Jeff has been making wine for around 30 years, what he calls, “passion that turned into obsession.” His successful vineyard just celebrated its ninth anniversary.
Jeff and his team strongly believe that wine should be fun. Each vintage is made for easy drinking and is paired with a catchy name like “Rosie the Riveter” or “Sweet Rodeo Red.”
Never to be made a pretentious endeavor, wine drinking is all about relaxing and enjoying life at Los Pinos.
Tara Vineyards
Owned and operated by the Pierce family, Tara is the oldest winery in Henderson County. Patrick Pierce, owner and vintner at Tara Winery also relocated to East Texas from California. Having the winery for eight years now, this onetime San Francisco builder now spends his days dedicated to all things wine.
After years of making wine for fun, Patrick is certified as a Texas vintner at Grayson College in Dennison. His wife, Susan, is certified in enology and viticulture from UC Davis, the premier college for winemaking worldwide. “Wine has its own personality, it’s an experience,” said Patrick about his love of winemaking.
Texas Pride
One thing that each of these vineyards and their vintners have in common is a strong sense of Texas pride. Although each of them has moved here from other states or parts of the world, they now proudly call East Texas their home.
You may be asking yourself, “Is Texas wine really equal to California or French wine?” and if so, “Why is it just now becoming noticed?” The 2008 movie, Bottle Shock, perfectly illustrates the 1970’s wine industry when California was a struggling second to the French. Throughout the film, California winemakers are striving to prove the quality of their wines to be equal, if not better, than the highly acclaimed French vintages. The famed blind tasting, later named “The Judgment of Paris” revealed that a California Chardonnay outscored all others. This changed the standard for California wines from that point forward.
All three of our East Texas vintners referenced this film when referring to the quality and standings of where Texas wine is today. Texas wine is fighting the same battle that California was in the 70’s. The quality of the grapes and the professional skills that have been devoted to producing quality wine are bringing it to a level that rivals California and France.
The distinct quality and impact of the wines depends on terroir, the characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced. East Texas climate and sandy soil contribute to the success of the grapes. The Black Spanish and Blanc Du Bois are true Texan grapes. “Wine grapes require practically no nutrients from the soil, ” said Patrick Pierce about how grapes flourish in our area, the stress on the grapes makes them stronger.
While much time and patience is put into the growth and harvest of quality grapes, the result is well worth every minute. Jeff Sneed says, “Producing wine is like an extreme sport, it is an adventure, but it’s risky!” Whether you are a wine enthusiast with a discriminating palate or just enjoy a wine that is easy to sip with food and friends, Texas wines have something to offer everyone.
