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Pristine red fruit and elegant cedarwood spice character build on the medium-bodied palate, with impressive, fine, and stacked tannins that lay a solid foundation for this youthful Montepulciano red. I first tasted this wine as a barrel sample, and over a year, it’s put on some wonderful weight, and the fruit profile has grown with darkness, power, and depth. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. This particular variety does really well here in Texas because it can take heat, it can take late spring freezes, it can take rain and drought, and still comes out on top. The Uplift site is a gorgeous vineyard, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. Large oak fermented. Aged 16 Months in 20% new French oak

This Sangiovese from Uplift Vineyard is a powerhouse of freshness, elegance, and compact red fruit, with enthralling sweet spices of clove, cinnamon, and coriander. Medium-bodied on the palate, it displays firm tannins and balanced tension, providing structure and finesse. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. Aged 16 months in 15% New French/Hungarian Oak. 

(Barrel Sample) The Vigneron Blend is a bright, spicy, and tension-filled red, offering pure currant and cherry fruits, tobacco, and white pepper spices. Medium-bodied, it builds richness on the palate with assertive, very fine, and balanced tannins that provide structure and depth. There’s been a dynamic shift—a watershed moment—in the production of these wines since Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger began consulting with Uplift Vineyard in 2022. The transformation is evident, and this wine is a testament to that evolution, promising an exciting future for these wines.

The Whitlock is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Malbec, and 20% Petite Sirah. Aged 16 months in 20% new French oak. This is an elegant wine, with a satiny and velvety mouthfeel and nice depth of dark fruit flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, the wine features polished, plump tannins that glide smoothly to a long, satisfying finish. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.

This blend of 68% Marsanne and 32% Roussanne, crafted by Claire Richardson with consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, is a bright, fresh, and expressive white sourced from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country. The wine is layered with fragrant baking spice notes, complementing its medium-bodied palate and balanced tension. Its flavors of Meyer lemon, apricot, white fig, and salted Marcona almonds add nuance and complexity.
Meaty and savoury, this wine pulses with black olive and black liquorice notes, layered with the umami depth of cured Bresaola and lifted by dried rose petals on both the nose and palate. There’s a zing of blood orange acidity and a zesty, grippy tension that propels the fruit-driven finish. The blend is 75% fruit from Serenity Vineyards (under 10-day carbonic maceration) on the west side of Seneca Lake, farmed by the Hermann J. Wiemer team. The remaining 25% hails from New Suns, the home vineyard on the west side of Cayuga Lake, and was fully destemmed with a two-week maceration. Aged in neutral barrels for 10 months before blending and bottling in August 2024. Hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented.

It offers that classic David Ramey Chardonnay profile, with a crisp, bright, and vivid personality. Lemon peel and fresh citrus notes are layered with subtle, gorgeous cedarwood accents, sea spray, and intense mineral character. The wine is lush yet cool, showing lovely candied ginger and quince, carried by saline-laced acid tension and lingering white floral notes. Long and delicious, it’s made for rich, fatty seafood—broiled lobster is heaven with this.
All estate fruit from Tom Rochioli. There’s a wonderfully lush, creamy richness here, underscored by very pretty, lacy acidity. Notes of lemon oil and a creamy center are layered with wildflower honey and gorgeous French pastry nuances. It’s delicious on a stick—haha. Absolutely long and layered. Pair it with whole roasted goose or turkey thighs—unctuous, with crisp, crunchy fat—or roast chicken in a mushroom sauce. Anything poultry, really. Pheasant for sure: the gaminess of the bird and the richness of this Chardonnay will crush your soul with goodness.
Two blocks at Bacigalupi’s Frost Ranch comprise this 2023 Pinot Noir: the Wente selection, picked two weeks later than in 2022, and the Pommard block, picked in October. The wine aged ten months in French oak barrels (33% new). It’s dark-fruited, with the ripe cherry appeal so prevalent in wines from this stretch of the Russian River Valley, brightened by orange peel and grapefruit zest. Cola nut fills in the gaps, joined by the creamy richness of the fruit and muscular tannins that form a solid foundation for this delectable wine. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County producing about 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are crafted by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

This 125-case cuvée is sourced from three vineyards spanning the interior Sonoma Coast—Baer, Bacigalupi, and Sangiacomo. Winemaker Matt Duffy selected barrels that expressed particularly coastal, savory tones inspired by the region’s cool-climate character. Some fermentations included whole clusters to add structure and spice. The result is a beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with layered aromatics, coastal energy, and textural depth. Aromas of black cherry and fig mingle with applewood smoke and apple blossom, enhanced by brown baking spices, clove, and stony minerality. Juicy and supple on the palate with zesty acidity, it’s a vibrant, finely tuned expression of site and season. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned winery based in Sonoma County, producing 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are made by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

Bold and dark-fruited, with briary cherry fruit, cherry-wood smoke, incense, and blood orange on the nose, all carrying through to the medium-bodied palate. Crisp tannins support a bulwark of brown baking-spice character, balancing the drying structure with a sweeter finish marked especially by ripe cherry fruit. Quite nice. This marks the winery’s 12th vintage of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The 2023 bottling is a blend of two vineyards in the northern part of the AVA: Baer Vineyard (60%) and Bacigalupi (40%). The sites sit less than a mile apart, bordered by Westside Road to the west and the Russian River to the east. The clonal makeup includes Pommard, 115, 667, and 777. Vaughn Duffy is a small, family-owned Sonoma County winery producing about 3,000 cases annually and specializing in Pinot Noir. The wines are crafted by forklift-wiz-turned-winemaker Matt Duffy, who co-founded the winery in 2009 with his wife, Sara Vaughn.

Quite an enticing white wine, with wonderfully savory notes that build alongside steely minerality, lanolin, flint, and beeswax. Subtle citrus peel and orchard fruit nuances weave in, coming together harmoniously on a medium-bodied palate framed by a fantastic thread of saline-acid tension. A creamy, middleweight core adds allure, balanced beautifully by that refreshing acidity.
Wedding Oak Winery’s Texas High Plains Castanet Rosé offers a fantastic medium-bodied palate with a velvety-silky texture. A subtle hint of sweetness is balanced by a firm spine of grippy acidity, creating a harmonious and inviting profile. Layered with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, white peach, and candied apricot, it also features delicate notes of pressed flowers and a hint of bergamot. Elegant and complex, this rosé is a standout.
The Wedding Oak Winery Rosé of Grenache, sourced from Mirasol Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, offers delicate hints of rose water, blood orange, and a subtle kiss of dried fennel. Light-bodied on the palate, it showcases a refreshing salty minerality balanced by soaring acid tension. Focused, linear, and vibrant, this rosé is wonderfully food-friendly.
The Wedding Oak Winery Riesling, sourced from Cerro Santo Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, greets you with a sharp, high-toned nose that belies the wine’s inviting palate. Once tasted, it reveals a creamy texture with delightful notes of honeydew melon, honeycomb, fragrant wildflowers, and lemon oil. A subtle richness adds depth, making it a pleasure to drink, while the slightly off-dry finish rounds out its balanced and approachable profile. A charming Riesling that rewards those who delve past its initial sharpness.
The Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne, sourced from the family-owned Hye Top Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country, delivers a focused medium-bodied expression of this classic French variety, which thrives in the High Plains. It opens with enticing aromas of lemon oil, dried apricot, and a medley of sweet baking spices, accented by a hint of honey and pressed white flowers. The palate is long and layered, with a salty minerality and a refreshing touch of lemon zest on the finish.
Winemaker Hans Peter Weis sources most of his reds from vineyards along the middle to northern stretches of Seneca Lake. He prefers a cold soak to delay fermentation, typically inoculating after three to four days. In cooler years, picking happens as late as possible—just before the leaves fall. After 10 days of fermentation in open-top fermenters or stainless steel, the wine is aged for 24 months in barrel, including up to 15% new French oak. The result is an elegant wine with red berry fruit, fine brown spices, and a hint of espresso, with conifer notes emerging as it opens. Tannins show an apple-skin texture—ripe yet firm—leading to a finish of red cherry and cherry pit. The 2024 vintage, also tasted, is deeper and more expressive, with bold flavors, grippy tannins, and a strong sense of energy and tension.
This semi-dry Riesling, with fermentations halted in select tanks, opens with a bright, vinous nose featuring apple, pear, and a touch of candied minerality. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers hints of lemon-lime citrus and green apple candy—reminiscent of childhood sweets—leading to a vivid, almost “purple-acid” finish. Balanced acidity frames a gentle kiss of sweetness.
A naturally high-acid variety, this wine tastes like a spoonful of creamy pear purée—lush and textural, yet lifted by vibrant acidity and palate tension.
Made from 67% botrytized grapes, this wine shows a lovely honeyed richness with nuances of apricot and poached pear. The palate is beautifully silky, with great body and tension, leading to a long, floral finish layered with tangerine peel, kumquat, and honeysuckle.
Wente’s 2023 Limited Release 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Mel Vineyard, and is aged sur lie for six months in 10% new and 90% neutral French oak barrels. Just 21 barrels were produced of this electric and gratifying Sauvignon Blanc. Bright, clean citrus and orchard fruit leap from the glass, layered with subtle baking spice notes from extended lees contact. That character builds with spicy intensity on the medium-bodied palate, and the finish shows excellent focus and acid stamina—enough to carry a meal from aperitif hour through to dessert.
Fermented in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and French oak barrels, this wine was aged sur lie for six months with regular stirring. The remaining portion was aged in neutral oak and stainless steel to preserve freshness. Sourced from Montpellier cuttings, it opens with inviting aromas of vanilla, yellow apple, biscuit, lemon drop, and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate offers a pleasing richness, balanced by a bright line of acidity. The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of wood spice. -JR
The William Chris Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from vineyards in the Texas High Plains, is quite exceptional. This medium-bodied red shows remarkable balance and seamlessness, even by this producer’s high standards. Blackberry fruit, currants, cassis, and dried cherry mingle with hints of tobacco and a tapestry of mild Indian spices, all supported by a firm bed of fine, mineral-driven tannins. The medium-length finish is fruit-forward with subtle earthy notes adding complexity. Aged for 20 months in 20% new French oak and 80% neutral oak barrels. Sourced from The Family Vineyard in Terry County and Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.

From Dell Valley Vineyard, a site situated 3,500 feet above sea level on an ancient coral reef that imparts a salty minerality to the wine. It offers dark berry fruit, tobacco spice, and bright wild herb character—balanced and fragrant with cassis and blackberry fruit on the medium-bodied palate. The finish is lengthy and expressive, framed by perfectly crisp, firm tannins with a velvety texture. A benchmark wine for the region from Tony Offhill with Jean Hoefliger as consultant.

From Dell Valley Vineyard, at 3,500 feet above sea level, this site sits on an ancient coral reef that imparts a distinct salty minerality to the wine. Dark berry fruit, tobacco spice, and bright wild herbs lead the aromatics, while the medium-bodied palate shows cassis and blackberry fruit with balanced fragrance and lift. The finish is lengthy and expressive, framed by crisp, firm tannins that carry a velvety texture. A model wine for the region from Tony Offill. For the last couple of years, Jean Hoefliger of JH Consulting has worked with the team as well.

The 2023 Petit Verdot from Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County is a dark-fruited, medium-bodied red offering notes of dark cherry, fig, and blackberry jam, accented by toasty oak nuances and dark chocolate. It’s framed by crisp, apple-skin tannins with a spine of zesty acidity that brightens the finish. Aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral oak barrels. Continuously planted since 1987, the vines at Dell Valley are planted in sloped sandy caliche soils, at more than 3,500 feet elevation. William Chris Vineyards was founded in 2008 by William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett. Tony Offill leads the cellar as Head Winemaker, and Jean Hoefliger is the consulting winemaker.

From the Hye Estate, this Tannat is ripe and fragrant, with a beautiful mix of red and purple florals, sweet spices, and extremely polished, firm, fine-grained tannins. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it showcases brown spices and elegant cedarwood throughout, all while maintaining incredible freshness. Terrific fruit purity and density of fruit weight on the mid-palate are off the charts. Winemaker Tony Offill, who started here in 2017, has made marked improvements, and with Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger, who began consulting with William Chris in 2022, the transformation of these wines is incredible, and they are among the best wines being made in Texas today. 

The Syrah includes 7% Grenache, sourced from the Vintage Press Vineyard in Stonewall, Texas. Aromas of white pepper, tart red berry fruit, violets, and wild herbs lead into a medium-bodied palate. Expressive wild herb character and blood orange acidity build across the palate, carrying through to a firm, tannic finish.

Wow, what a marvelously rich, full-bodied, and powerful Tannat, but with impressive energy and tension.  It boasts balanced, robust tannins and loads of perfectly ripe dark berry fruit, including blueberry compote, alongside sweet and savory spices, and pure, natural, balanced acidity that keeps this wine grippy, fresh, and bright. The tannisn are massive and powerful, and I’d hold onto this until 2027, until popping corks.  Consumers are in for a real treat when this is offered through the tasting room outside of Fredericksburg. A captivating expression of Tannat that promises to impress. Winemaker Tony Offill, who started here in 2017, has made marked improvements, and with Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger, who began consulting with William Chris in 2022, the transformation of these wines is incredible, and they are among the best wines being made in Texas today. 

From a Chablis producer who can do no wrong when it comes to crafting beguiling whites. Lemons, white blossoms, and minerals abound on the nose and palate for what feel like days. Almost effortlessly drinkable. – J.R.
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Fermented entirely in barrel with no whole cluster and aged for 12 months in 34% new French oak. Vineyard sources include Zio Tony, Lone Oak, Ritchie, Keefer Ranch, Bootlegger’s Hill, El Diablo, Charles Ranch, and Bob’s Ranch. The wine is incredibly rich and layered, with lemon peel, fresh lemon and ripe apple mingling with toasty oak spices, candied ginger and crushed almonds. A lovely saline minerality accents the palate. Medium to full-bodied with excellent mid-palate weight, it finishes quite crisp. Subtle notes of French pastry and oyster-shell minerality weave throughout. Truly captivating.
Sourced entirely from Pisoni Vineyard and fermented in stainless steel and concrete with 8% whole cluster, then aged 14 months in 38% new French oak. This 2023 release is an absolute powerhouse, bursting with blue-fruit intensity, blackberry and sagebrush notes, and velvety tannins dusted with cocoa powder. Loamy earth adds depth and grounding. The finish carries impressive length, layered with dried spice, mild Indian spices and a dash of black sea salt.

A robust, full-throttle wine with gorgeous complexity and excellent mineral tension. Elegant mixed-berry fruit comes together with scorched earth and graphite, all supported by firm, confident tannins and expressive saline-tinged acidity. Notes of tangerine peel and grapefruit emerge on the long, woodsy, earthy finish. It hits all the marks right out of the gate and is great fun to drink in its youth, yet it has the structure to age gracefully.

Super fragrant, showing orange peel, cranberry and cherry fruit with wild sagebrush spice. Cocoa-powder tannins, sweet baking spices and pomegranate-seed crunch add texture and lift. The 2023 vintage carries medium- to full-bodied richness, layered with raspberry and gentle vanilla notes—some of that plushness coming from Clone 828—while the Pisoni clone and 777 contribute freshness and energy. A beautifully balanced Rosella’s.

An absolutely gorgeous, perfumed nose of rose petals and cranberry fruit lifted by warm brown baking spices. The aromatics are bold and expressive yet remain pure and incredibly fresh. The palate bursts with bright, layered, beautifully ripe fruit—cherry, raspberry and cranberry—accented by a touch of grapefruit zest, clove and allspice. A long, stony mineral note reminiscent of wet river stones carries the everlasting finish. This is totally lights-out fantastic. Sourced from exceptional vineyards including Bootlegger’s Hill, Giusti Ranch, Treehouse, Winner’s Circle, Zio Tony, Moonshine, Jenkins, Sundawg Ridge and Barron Ranch. Fermented in 55% stainless steel, 25% concrete and 20% oak, with 5% whole cluster. Aged 16 months in 40% new French oak, with some foudre and some stainless steel.

Characteristically Santa Lucia Highlands in its bright, candied red-fruit profile and fabulous brown baking spices, yet this vintage shows less of the ultra-creamy texture typical of the region and more precision and tension. Aromas and flavors of crunchy apple-skin notes resonate, joined by clove and spiced plum, offering great length and generosity. Sourced from Garys’, Rosella’s, Pisoni, Sierra Mar and Soberanes. Fermented in stainless steel, oak and concrete, then aged 14 months in 43% new French oak.

The backbone of this wine is Gap’s Crown, blended with fruit from Marshall in the Sebastopol Hills, Pratt–Sexton, Crane Canyon, Thorn Ridge and Pepperwood. A mix of clones—667, Swan, 115, 114, 828, Dijon selections and Clone 23—fermented in stainless steel, concrete and oak, then aged 16 months in 40% new French oak. Absolutely gorgeous coastal florals lead the nose, intertwined with sea-spray minerality and wet stone. Crunchy dark berry fruit drives the palate, joined by savory spice notes reminiscent of a damp redwood grove, clove, scorched earth, tangerine peel and grapefruit zest. A subtle incense-like minerality carries through to the firm yet inviting finish.

This is your Saturday-night wine—the power broker, the one that will impress you and your guests. Bold, aromatic and richly flavored, it shows incredibly velvety tannins and a cocoa-powder softness, with dark cherry fruit, raspberry spice and pomegranate nuances. A hefty framework of apple-skin tannin adds crisp yet fluffy texture, while a firm pinch of acidity brings crunchy tension. The fruit is dark, ripe, supple and beautifully layered, balancing everything out and making for a wonderfully expressive, impeccably balanced Pinot Noir. Fermented in a mix of concrete, stainless steel, oak and whole cluster, then aged 17 months in 38% new French oak.

This wine shows a superb structural framework and impressive length. Zesty acidity drives the palate, supported by wet-stone and graphite minerality, with almost chalky tannins giving fine definition. Fragrant red and black fruit notes mingle with warm brown spices, all carried on a long, persistent finish. Shy in its youth, this will benefit from patience—best to hold until 2027 before pulling any corks.

What an enticing and satisfying white this is—from the first whiff of creamy, luscious stone and tropical fruit layered with wildflowers to the vibrant palate, it delivers richness balanced by a scintillating spine of acidity that keeps all that lush fruit buoyant and energized.
This 100% Chardonnay comes from two vineyards—Texas Hills in Johnson City (Texas Hill Country AVA) and Certenberg Vineyard in Pontotoc, Texas. Picked on the early side to preserve natural acidity, it underwent bâtonnage for three months before bottling. Made in the pét-nat style but sterile-filtered before secondary fermentation and bottled under crown cap, the wine is light, bright, and crisp, showing orchard fruit notes and a frothy, gentle mousse that’s pleasantly soft rather than aggressive. It has great texture and a clean, vibrant finish. Crafted by winemaker Rae Wilson, with support from Tony Offill.
This blend of 52% Carignane and 48% Mourvèdre is sourced entirely from Fire Oak Vineyard in Mills County, located between Fredericksburg and Fort Worth. The site shares a similar soil profile to Uplift—sandy loam with some clay loam components. Aged 12 months in neutral French oak, the color derives from early oxygenation and stirring during the start of fermentation before the wine settles and is barreled down. The result is a fresh, inviting red with beautifully pure red-berry fruit and a subtle, natural sweetness that draws you in. Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins, it shows ripe, upfront fruit framed by a fine thread of wet-rock minerality. Absolutely lovely—one of my favorite wines from Texas. A great effort by Rae Wilson and Tony Offill.

Sourced from Lakewood Farm (certified sustainable) and three other long-time growers on the west side of Seneca Lake, this sparkling wine is produced exclusively from free-run juice. Carbonated and bottled on site, it’s also available in 187ml bottles and kegs for wholesale. It offers impressive complexity for the price, with notes of citrus peel, white flowers, and ripe apricot layered over a subtle French pastry character.
Fruit was sourced from Glenora Farms on the west side of Seneca Lake and Don Peek’s vineyard on the west side of Keuka Lake. Fermented dry on the skins in small bins with 3–4 hand punchdowns daily, the wine was then pressed and transferred to 60-gallon barrels—predominantly French oak—where it remained until bottling in August 2024. Bright notes of cherry and cranberry leap from the glass, accented by espresso bean and a perfumed core of red fruit dusted with rose powder. Fine-grained, structured tannins provide a firm foundation for the juicy, spicy fruit to build toward a lengthy, saline-scented, and earth-toned finish.

This is a super bright, floral, and expressive wine, bursting with wildflower honey, jasmine, and candied kiwi fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with a lovely interplay of acid tension and subtle sweetness. Never cloying or overdone, it finishes with a gorgeous honeyed richness wrapped around white peaches and golden cherries. The perfect wine to pair with a cheese plate—think salted cheeses with a dollop of honey. Serve nicely chilled, but not too cold, so you don’t mute the vibrant florality. 65% estate fruit (certified sustainable) and 35% from Lahoma Vineyard, fermented in stainless steel.
Poured by Greg Stach and Greg La Follette themselves at the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction, this one-off Chardonnay is pure Sonoma history in the making. Bright and zesty, it shows citrus, brown spice, honeyed lemon and fresh ginger, with a medium-bodied frame, lovely mid-palate density and a long, slate-driven mineral finish. A singular, never-to-be-repeated collaboration that captures the soul of Lorenzo Vineyard with clarity, energy and depth.

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