My guest today is Melissa Whatley. She and her husband Tyler are the co-owners of the recently opened Fredericksburg winery, Whatley Wines. Their faith and desire to pour into the community have inspired every aspect of Whatley Wines. We'll discuss the evolution of their brand, how food and wine pairing plays an important role, and how wine trading cards help tell the story. In Texas wine news, let's talk about Texas wine bars and wine-focused restaurants. Plus, I'll recap the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival, share Texas wine real estate news, and more. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

JeriLynne Clifford, the Hill Country Bon Vivant, is a tastemaker and hospitality expert based in Fredericksburg. JeriLynne's new cookbook, The Vineyard Table, showcases Texas wineries, food, and the joys of connecting over a meal around the table. Listen to hear how she prioritizes local wines, partners with local wineries, and lives the good life in the Hill Country. In Texas wine news, I review two other new Texas wine books- a guidebook and a work of fiction. Also, Texas is mentioned as an underrated wine region in a VinePair article, there's another holiday wine bundle and corresponding holiday soiree that you'll want to check out. There's another new episode of the Go Texan Explores: Texas Wine podcast out. This one includes some additional details about Llano Estacado's big moves in both Lubbock and Fredericksburg. Cheers y'all!

Amy Gross, founder and CEO of VineSleuth/Wine4.Me has created a new tool to help you find the Texas wines that you'll love. Her AI-based tool has just been released in collaboration with Texas Hill Country Wineries. She shares how the wine style selector tool provides personalized wine recommendations. Texas wine news includes the launch of a new podcast project called GO TEXAN EXPLORES: Texas Wine with the Texas Department of Agriculture. In other news, Texas wine has gotten incredible coverage in Texas Monthly this fall, from a feature story to the release of the 2025 Texas Vintners Cup winners. Plus, Calais Winery earns a spot of James Suckling's Top 100 US Wines list and there's a Texas wine feature in Decanter. We're gearing up for some great fall events! Happy Texas Wine Month, and cheers y'all!

Ron Yates of Ron Yates Wines and Spicewood Vineyards is a returning guest who first appeared in 2021. On this episode, he’s sharing more about "The Get Together", his new boxed wine project, the new tasting room he’s building at Ron Yates, and his thoughts about the 2025 harvest. Then in Texas wine news, we’ll review the new Texas-focused regional guide by Wine Folly, explore a bit of a regional battle between the Texas High Plains and the Hill Country, announce a new podcast for wine lovers from a Texas wine VIP, and announce several new Texas wine events. Demerits and gold stars make a return too. Thanks for listening. Cheers y'all!

Claire Richardson, winemaker at Uplift Vineyard, is my guest on this episode. She’s a talented winemaker who is also the co-founder of Grafted, the organization that was created to support women in Texas wine, and Explore Oeno, her personal brand. You’ll hear Claire's Texas wine story from Texas A&M to New Zealand and back to Texas again. Then in Texas wine news, I’ll share how Texas wineries are responding to the tragic flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Plus, a new partnership links William Chris Vineyards with wineries across the US. Elisa Christopher Wines gets great press in an international drinks publication. Finally, I got new podcast music composed by a Texas wine VIP! Cheers y'all!

IT'S EPISODE 100! Andrew Sides of Lost Draw Wines joins me on this episode to share more about the Lost Draw story, including thoughts on the split from William Chris Wine Co. In celebration of my 100th episode, I’ve got some reflections on this milestone episode and the 5 year anniversary since the first episode aired. Then In Texas wine news, we’ll review which wineries are opening, closing, and rumored to be coming to town. There’s an update on the Farm Winery Permit bill, and a top sommelier shares thoughts about Texas wine. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

January Wiese of Texas Hill Country Wineries has some exciting announcements about new programs for this 25-year-old powerhouse of an organization, which focuses on marketing wineries in the Texas Hill Country AVA. In Texas wine news, thanks to a tip from a listener, I’ve got the scoop on a new Texas boxed wine project. Plus a new article about Texas in Wine Enthusiast, a focus on the wine scene in East Texas in a regional newspaper, and a North Texas winery campsite is named one of the country’s best. Cheers y'all!

On episode 98, my guest is Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines near Johnson City. Doug shares the history of Lewis Wines, the importance of a region’s agricultural heritage, and the pending Farm Winery Permit. In Texas wine news, we’ve got new statistics from Wine America on the enormous impact of Texas wine on the state’s economy, a new article on local wine from Amy Beth Wright, and big awards for Dr. Justin Scheiner of Texas A&M and Dr. Julie Kuhlken of Pedernales Cellars. Thanks for listening. Cheers y'all!

My guests Remi and Tate Gregory are two rising young stars in the Texas wine industry. They hold important roles with some very established wineries in the state, plus they’re promoting their own wine brand – The Burg Wine Company. They’ve already garnered serious acclaim for their minimal intervention wines. In Texas wine news, Newsweek has a new article about the popularity of Texas wine, Wine Enthusiast published a list of Texas wine grapes to watch, the Bending Branch Texas white oak project continues to gain attention, and both Texas Hill Country Wineries and Texas Wine Growers are promoting creative new events to get Texas wine into more glasses. Cheers y'all!

My guest on this episode is Brian Heath, owner of Heath Family Brands. The portfolio includes Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Invention Vineyards, Jenblossom Cellars, and most recently, Kuhlman Estate, formerly known as Kuhlman Cellars. Brian and his wife Jennifer got into the Texas wine industry in 2006 when they purchased Grape Creek Vineyards from the family of founder Ned Simes. Brian and I talk about what makes the Texas wine industry a solid bet for business and his vision for the wineries within Heath Family Brands. In Texas wine news, I’m thrilled to announce new ownership for Fall Creek Vineyards. Plus, you'll hear about a legislative development concerning the Texas Wine Growers-supported Farm Winery Permit and the crazy spring weather across Texas. Thanks for listening, and cheers y'all!

In episode 95, my guest on this episode is Dr Akhil Reddy, CEO of Reddy Vineyards. Most people who follow Texas wine know the name Reddy Vineyards. Established in 1997 by Akhil’s parents, Reddy is one of the larger vineyards in the Texas High Plains. We’ll hear from Akhil about his vision for the brand, the new tasting room in Stonewall, and how wellness and wine intersect. In Texas wine news, Joey Bagnasco joins me to talk about Rootstock: A Texas Wine Festival which will take place on April 6 in Waco. Plus, hear about the final James Suckling report on Texas, TEXSOM Awards results, and a Texas Riesling is in the spotlight. Thanks for listening! Cheers y'all!

On episode 94, I’m thrilled to be talking with Dr. Bob Young, owner and winemaker of Bending Branch Winery. Bending Branch's focus on innovation and sustainability was a key reason for their inclusion in Wine Business Monthly's list of Hot Brands 2024. In an exclusive podcast interview, Dr Bob is announcing an exciting new Texas white oak program and debuting three new wines that feature Texas white oak aging. He also makes a big announcement about a new tasting room on the property. You’ll only hear it here. In Texas wine news, I'll announce the TWGGA award winners. And a very special guest joins me to discuss the Rhone Rangers’ upcoming visit to the Hill Country and to Austin for tasting events. You’ll hear from Larry Schaffer of Tercero Wines who is the current president of the board of directors for Rhone Rangers. Cheers y'all!

My guest today is award winning winemaker Jackie van Sant Downes, a native Texan who learned to make wine and had a flourishing career in Sonoma, and then returned to Texas to make wine for Driftwood Estate Winery. You may also know her personal brand, Jaclynn Renee Wines. She joins me for a really insightful talk about her winemaking approach, what she’s learned in 18 years in winemaking, and the exciting things that are coming for both Driftwood and Jaclynn Renee Wines. In Texas wine news, I’ll share the scoop on big news on Lost Draw separating from William Chris Wine Company, a new alliance for Texas Hill Country Wineries association, an article about old vines, and more. Cheers y'all!

I’m kicking off 2025 with Bryan Chagoly of Sandy Road Vineyards. He’s back to tell us how Texas wine performed in wine competitions in 2024, what Texas wine is winning awards, which wineries are winning most often, what is new at Sandy Road Vineyards. 2025 started out with a bang in the Texas wine news department. In our news segment, I’ll share how Llano Estacado, one of the oldest wineries in Texas, has new owners and big new plans. Plus major kudos to Bending Branch Winery for being named a Hot Brand for 2024 by Wine Business Monthly. Cheers y'all!

Welcome to my year-end wrap-up. Joining me to talk about the year in Texas wine is Valerie Elkins. She’s managing director of membership operations at William Chris Wine Co, co-founded the Texas Wine Auction, is the executive director of Texas Wine Growers and is also one of the co-founders of Grafted, the Texas wine organization that was recently started to support women in the Texas wine industry. As always, there’s Texas wine in the news. In our news segment, I’ll share what’s making headlines and raising eyebrows across the state and beyond. Recent news includes big reviews for Texas wines, Houston’s rodeo uncorked wine competition results, a new profile of the Texoma ava, a Texas wine award for HEB’s top wine executive, and much more. Cheers y'all!

Everyone else has a holiday gift guide, so why not @texaswinepod? Warning: This list may inspire you to buy more Texas wine and Texas wine merch! This list is packed with over 25 ideas for your holiday shopping. From specific wines to merch, there's something for every price point. If you're feeling extra spendy this year, how about buying a Texas winery or a luxury blind tasting flight featuring a Texas wine vs a Spanish powerhouse? Join me to do some shopping and laugh a bit this holiday season! Cheers y'all!

Chris McIntosh is co-owner and winemaker for Edge of the Lake Vineyard in Valley View, Texas (Texoma AVA). He is also the current president of North Texas Wine Country, the winery association that covers North Texas wineries. We talk about what’s going on at Edge of the Lake as well as developments in North Texas as a whole. And in the Texas wine news segment, there are several new national stories featuring the Texas wine industry, plus wine competition results, new accolades for Texas wineries, big personnel changes, a report from the State Fair of Texas, and more. Cheers y'all!

On episode 88, Dr. Colleen Myles from Texas State University joins me to talk about sustainability in Texas wine. She’s spearheading a sustainability certification program for Texas wineries and grape growers. Several Hill Country wineries and a small grape grower are partnering with Dr Myles on this initiative. In the Texas wine news, we're gearing up for October's Texas Wine Month! Don't miss the ticket giveaway from Texas Wine Growers. Plus, there are new articles on Lenoir, Pierce's disease, and Muenster, a town that Texas Monthly calls "the Fredericksburg of North Texas". Winery news includes new ownership, new distribution, new private label supermarket wines, new tasting rooms, and one that’s closing and more. Thanks for listening, and cheers y'all!

Rebecca Conley co-owns J.W. Hardin Wine Co. in Comanche. Comanche is a town that’s rich in Texas history, and Rebecca has done a fantastic job conveying the history of the town and the man J.W. Hardin himself. He was an outlaw, y’all! Listen to hear how Rebecca and her husband Dr. Travis Conley relate to the outlaw theme. In the Texas wine news, I’ve got harvest reports, a new historical designation for a Texas vineyard, a significant article on Texas sparkling wine in an international publication, and much more. Cheers, y'all!

Today my guest is Landon Miller of Signor Vineyards. He’s responsible for production and seems to have his hand in many different aspects of the Signor brand. You'll hear more about the care with which Signor approaches winemaking, the strong ties to the land, and how Signor is truly a family business. It's harvest time in Texas! In the Texas wine news, there’s a new wine competition in Cowtown, sad news of a newer Hill Country winery that’s closing, and a distinctively Texas wine focused-preview week for the Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival that will be coming up this fall. Cheers y'all!