While at the 2024 Texas Hill Country Winery Symposium I caught up with John Rivenburgh, the President of the Texas Winegrower and Owner of Kerrville Hills Winery. This is more of an update interview with him as I first interviewed him in 2 years ago at the Symposium. We talk about the Texas Wine Growers and lots of updates happening with him at Kerrville Hills Winery! Links for the show: Texas Wine Growers – https://texaswinegrowers.com Kerrville Hills Winery – https://kerrvillehillswinery.com Hill Country Wine Academy – Texas Wine Ambassador Certification – https://hcwineacademy.com/txwacc H ..read more

Are you interested in becoming a winegrower? Or even a winemaker? Or how about being the numbers person at a winery? I say down with Kirk Williams Senior Teacher at the Departmen of Plant & Soil Science at Texas Tech University during the 2024 Texas Hill Country Winery Symposium. We focus on the viticulture side of things and the programs Texas Tech has to offer. Tech is a leading university here in Texas for the wine industry. Being based in Lubbock, TX, they are in the heart of the Texas High Plains AVA. They also have a campus in the heart of the Texas Hill Country AVA in Fredericksbur ..read more

Looking to be more sustainable in your wine consumption but still enjoy high quality wines? Then the Ron Rubin Winery’s Blue Bin series may be right up your alley. Made from 100% recycled and recyclable PET plastic, these are Certified Sustainable wines that include the packaging. This is part one of a 2-part series of reviews. In this review I’ll be reviewing the 2022 Ron Rubin Blue Bin Pinot Grigio and the 2022 Ron Rubin Blue Bin Sauvignon Blanc. These are free samples provided to me and I have free reign in how I review them. Links for the show (many of these are the same for all the episo ..read more

Looking to be more sustainable in your wine consumption but still enjoy high quality wines? Then the Ron Rubin Winery’s Blue Bin series may be right up your alley. Made from 100% recycled and recyclable PET plastic, these are Certified Sustainable wines that include the packaging. This is part one of a 2-part series of reviews. In this review I’ll be reviewing the 2022 Ron Rubin Blue Bin Chardonnay and the 2022 Ron Rubin Blue Bin Vin Rosé. These are free samples provided to me and I have free reign in how I review them. Links for the show (many of these are the same for all the episodes in th ..read more

Looking to be more sustainable in your wine consumption but still enjoy high quality wines? Then the Ron Rubin Winery’s Blue Bin series may be right up your alley. Made from 100% recycled and recyclable PET plastic, these are Certified Sustainable wines that include the packaging. This is part one of a 2-part series of reviews. In this review I’ll be reviewing the 2022 Ron Rubin Blue Bin Pinot Grigio and the 2022 Ron Rubin Blue Bin Sauvignon Blanc. These are free samples provided to me and I have free reign in how I review them. Links for the show (many of these are the same for all the episo ..read more

Let’s travel to Italy this week! I’ve got a great wine from the Frescobaldi family from their newest winery! I’m reviewing the 2020 Frescobaldi Tenuta Calimaia Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Vino Nobile is an often overlooked Sangiovese-based wine from Tuscany and I’m giving it some love. This is a free sample and I’m able to review it however I see fit. Links for the show (many of these are the same for all the episodes in this series): Frescobaldi – Tenuta Calimaia – https://www.frescobaldi.com/en/estates/tenuta-calimaia Frescobaldi – Tenuta Calimaia 2020 Tech Sheet – https://www.frescobaldi ..read more

So I wasn’t expecting to do Somm School Advanced style episodes on New Zealand wine when I got a great map from Appellation Marlborough Wine along with 3 Sauvignon Blancs.  But as I was getting into the map and all of that, I realized I might as well since my Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Theory exam was coming at the time (I took it in February).  A perfect reason to create a some deep dive episodes. Especially since I did miss such a layup question about New Zealand this past year on the Theory exam. UGH! If you’re someone studying for an exam, regardless of the organization ..read more

So I wasn’t expecting to do Somm School Advanced style episodes on New Zealand wine when I got a great map from Appellation Marlborough Wine along with 3 Sauvignon Blancs.  But as I was getting into the map and all of that, I realized I might as well since my Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Theory exam was coming at the time (I took it in February). A perfect reason to create a some deep dive episodes. Especially since I did miss such a layup question about New Zealand this past year on the Theory exam. UGH! If you’re someone studying for an exam, regardless of the organization, thes ..read more

Are you ready for the total eclipse hitting much of the United States on April 8, 2024? Want to celebrate with a special wine? Well, Spellbound created a “Limited Edition” of their Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Petite Sirah. OK, it’s a rebranding of their regular wines. They come with a pair of eclipse glasses also. Check out the review to see what I though about the Cab and Chardonnay. Also, if you’re able to take the day off, or a long weekend, consider joining me at Ron Yates Wines in the Texas Hill Country. They will be having an all day event with different activities, buffets, liv ..read more

  So I wasn’t expecting to do Somm School Advanced style episodes on New Zealand wine when I got a great map from Appellation Marlborough Wine along with 3 Sauvignon Blancs.  But as I was getting into the map and all of that, I realized I might as well since my Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Theory exam was coming at the time (I took it in February). A perfect reason to create a some deep dive episodes. Especially since I did miss such a layup question about New Zealand this past year on the Theory exam. UGH! If you’re someone studying for an exam, regardless of the organizatio ..read more