A road trip in Texas would not be complete without a stop at a winery. So on our way back to Houston from Brownwood after a weekend teaching geology for TPWD Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program, we stopped at Spicewood Vineyards near Austin for a visit. It had been years since I had visited this location, so I was overdue.
Even though I’m a travel, lifestyle, & hobby blogger, I rarely announce my presence when I visit wineries. I don’t want to be treated differently than everyone else (and I’m ridiculously shy anyway), so we bellied up to the bar for an incognito tasting. As luck and timing would have it, the tasting room manager, Daniel, was about to give a cellar tour and asked us if we wanted to join. How could we not?!
Down in the cellar, we sampled sparkling wine that Spicewood does not sell, but keeps around for celebration. This intimate tour and tasting reminded us of our time in Cava country near Barcelona, Spain earlier this year when we were celebrating my turning 40. What a lovely moment and recollection of a birthday well spent! We tried a sparkling riesling from (I think) their 2014 vintage. We also tried a newer sparkling chardonnay from this year’s vintage (2017) and couldn’t decide which one we liked more. Doesn’t matter, we were happy to be there!
At this point, my traveling companion and fellow geology instructor outed me as a blogger, so after my nervous hives went away, we went back upstairs to finish our official tasting (with a few extra tastes thrown in). We tasted:
- 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Estate)
- 2014 Sparkling Riesling (in cellar, not for sale)
- 2017 Sparkling Chardonnay (in cellar, not for sale)
- 2016 Viognier (not yet released)
- 2016 Louisa
- 2015 Viognier
- 2014 Mourvedre
- 2015 Cabernet Claret
- 2015 Tempranillo
- 2015 The Independence
- 2014 Estate Tempranillo
- 2015 Zinfandel
We had such a wonderful time tasting, chatting, and enjoying charcuterie, that we closed the place down and left with an overflowing case of wine between the two of us. We brought home:
- 2016 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (x2)
- 2016 Louisa (x2)
- 2015 Viognier
- 2014 Mourvedre (x2)
- 2015 Cabernet Claret
- 2015 Tempranillo (x2)
- 2015 The Independence
- 2014 Estate Tempranillo (x2)
- 2015 Zinfandel
- 2014 The Good Guy (Tempranillo/Graciano/Cab/Merlot/Syrah blend)
To say Daniel and the staff were hospitable would be an understatement. We felt at home and incredibly welcome, like we were old friends. The winery and cellar had a Mediterranean in Texas feel, and I just love that. And of course I loved on the winery dog, Jack. What a sweet boy!
Thank you Reagan, Daniel, and the rest of the Spicewood Vineyards staff (you too, Jack) for the wonderful visit! We will be back as soon as possible, or as soon as the wine runs out…whichever comes first!