With the Texas state population at 28.3 million people and a growing list of fine Texas wineries, several winery trends are happening to draw in the Texas wine drinkers to the new wave of state-made wines.
Texas makes wine, you say? Of course! Actually, wine has been in Texas since the mission days of the early Spanish explorers.
Three award-winning Texas wineries are making the most of co-locating their tasting rooms near major urban centers like Dallas-Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Bingham Family Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery and Eden Hill Vineyard & Winery—smart choices.
Notably, the successful, award-winning Texas wineries have discovered that the grapes from the Mediterranean growing regions of Southern France, Italy, and Spain have been the most suitable grapes for producing the best Texas wines. Thus the “TEX-MED” designation has been coined. You have to select the best match of grapes to “terroir*” in any wine-growing region. Get smart.
Lubbock does not have a large population of tourists. Bingham made the decision to locate a second tasting room near DFW at the home of the annual GrapeFest in Grapevine, Texas to be closer to their wine-drinking customers. They recently announced a third tasting room in the Hill Country—Fredericksburg, Texas area – teaming with Yee Haw Ranch Outfitters for that venture.
The Bingham family is a musically gifted, multi-generation large family. Their wine label sports a treble cleft. Occasionally the family performs concerts at the tasting room, much to the delight of tourists.
The Bingham wines have won many awards including Silver Medal placements in the 2017 San Francisco International Competition. With TEX-MED varietals like Vermentino (known in Italy, Sardinia, and Southern France), Viognier (known in Rhone Valley and France), Tempranillo (known in the Rioja region and Spain), Mourvedre (known in Southern France), Roussanne (known in Southern France), and Albarino (known in Northern Spain), the Bingham’s have embraced the smart choices for Texas terroir. Along with the international grape varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, the Binghams bring many nice blends to their customers. Smart decisions.
Nearby is the HWY 290 Wine Trail and Hill County area that host 53 unique wineries. Smart locations.
Eden Hill’s 2016 white wine, Roussanne—a Southern France varietal, won a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and their 2016 MIDNIGHT in the Vineyard, a 100% Negroamaro—red Italian variety wine, won Double Gold in the 2017 Texas International Wine Competition. Smart choices.
Texas wineries have the benefit of a large state population to lure tourists for easy day trips. As these wineries accumulate more and more international wine awards, their reach can be expanded outside of the Texas borders. Smart TEX-MED grape choices and good tourist locations are accounting for the growing success of the Texas Wine industry.
Comfort and Fredericksburg, Texas area
Meyer Bed & Breakfast
845 High St.
Comfort, Texas
888-995-6100
830-995-2304
A delightful B&B recently updated with varied room choice configurations including suites. The personable owners are famous for their breakfast buffet that changes daily. The buffet can include breakfast sausage casserole, signature bread pudding, biscuits and gravy and an array of sweet breads, fruits and yogurt.
Celina and McKinney, Texas area
The Grand Hotel
114 W. Louisiana St.
McKinney, Texas
214-726-9250
The Grand Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel located on the downtown square in McKinney. This hotel houses the 4-star Rick’s Chop House and can accommodate events and weddings.
*Terroir is a French term for “Specificity of Place” including climate, soil, sunlight, elevation, winds, humidly, rainfall, topography, and farming practices. There is no other single word translation for terroir other than in French.