OK, so I tried for one cycle to do a bi-monthly Texas roundup – I combined May & June). I knew June would be busy with a family cruise and college visits for Thing 1, not to mention #LawyerLife in general, so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone. And yeah, I decided I didn’t like it. Many folks didn’t have their June events listed when I published it early May and I never went back to update for June events as I thought I would. Sooo….back to monthly. And in case y’all missed it, be sure to check out my round up of Texas rosé wines. That way, you’ll know what wines you’re headed out there for. So much delicious diversity!
OK, let’s check out what’s going on in Texas wine country…
Carter Creek Sip & Swim Pool Party
Come make a splash at Carter Creek’s Summer Pool Party! They’ll have awesome grub, refreshing Frosés, and more available for purchase. DJ Maverick will be spinning some tropical tunes, and they’ll show a special Summer themed move at dusk! There will also be a raffle featuring a two-night stay at Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa to one lucky winner. You won’t want to miss this one!
The fun happens Friday, July 5, 6pm – 9pm. Admission is Free and All Ages Welcome.
Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival July ‘Preview Week’
In advance of the 2024 Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival, the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce has decided for the first time to host a ‘Preview Week.’ The events are slated to take place from July 22nd – July 28th.
This a great opportunity for wine and culture lovers to get a sneak peek of what’s to come for the revamped Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival this fall. Some of the interactive and immersive experiences include a free, family-friendly exploration of local farms, a Tacos & Tannat tasting, cocktail making demonstrations, a progressive tasting with champagne, Italian tapas, and chocolate, and so much more.
Plan for one or all of the events. Tickets are on sale here.
A Night At The Vineyard with Spicewood Vineyards
Join Spicewood Vineyards for a night out at the vineyard to celebrate Independence Day with a glass (or 3) of ther beloved Independence wine, live music from a rockin’ cover band, and dinner from a delicious food truck. Bring your friends, family, pups, picnic, lawn chairs – all the stuff! This is a casual evening at the vineyard packed with loads of 4th of July spirit (on July 6!). Music and food service begins around 6:00 PM. Wine is flowing all day and night until 9:00 PM. It’s rare to be able to visit the vineyards at night, so definitely take advantage.
The fun happens, Saturday, July 6 from 6:00 to 9pm.
Riedel Wine Glass Tasting at Becker Vineyards
Join Becker Vineyards for an educational experience that is sure to WOW your palate! Becker is partnering with Riedel, The Wine Glass Company. Learn how and why to pair your favorite wine with the perfect glass. Utilizing a set of three Riedel wine glasses, you will taste through some of Becker Vineyards award winning wines to demonstrate the dramatic relationship between wine and its vessel.
The glasses will clink on Saturday, July 6 at noon. They actually do this tasing multiple times during the year, so if you can’t make this one, check their calendar for upcoming classes. Tickets are $125 per person – Glasses are yours to keep and enjoy at home! Don’t want the glasses? Then it’s $75 per person.
C.L. Butaud’s Night Class Series
I recently visited C.L. Butaud and was so blown away by their wines! They just introduced a really fun series of Night Classes, along with a lineup of so many other exciting events. The classes cover a number of topics that so many of us are curious about.
July 11 | Skin Contact | 6-7 pm: Dive into the fascinating world of skin contact wines in our engaging and informative class. You’ll have the opportunity to sample a selection of skin contact wines, each paired with delectable bites by Muy Yum, designed to enhance and complement their unique characteristics. $65 tickets here.
July 18 | CLB + Texas Iberico | 6-7 pm: A special tasting of Texas Iberico meats, paired with five C.L. Butaud Wines. Grazing freely in the Texas Hill Country, these Iberico pigs forage on native grasses, acorns, prickly pear cacti, and their favorite, mesquite beans. The result is a beautifully-marbled pork, naturally rich in color. $65 tickets here.
July 25 | CLB + OOMHz Mushroom Chocolate | 6-7 pm: OOMHz Chocolate is all-natural handcrafted ceremonial-grade functional chocolate for every stage of your daily journey. Made with functional mushrooms, a small group of very powerful mushrooms that contain compounds with specific functional benefits to the human mind and body, these are delicious AND you’ll find your zen! This class will pair 5 CLB wines with the chocolates, include an interactive chocolate tempering demonstration and you’ll go home with a sweet gift for later. Get tickets here: $80.
Pedernales Cellars Sunrise Vineyard Tour
Join Pedernales Cellars for a spectacular sunrise in Kuhlken Vineyards, which is one of the most magical times in the vineyard. Located just 13 miles from Fredericksburg, Kuhlken Vineyards was founded in 1995 by Larry and Jeanine Kuhlken. You’ll welcome the sunrise with coffee/tea, followed by a catered breakfast by Chef Sarita Silva from Kerrville, Texas. After breakfast, you will sample 3 wines representing the evolution of the family vineyard, and learn more about growing and making wine in Texas. The founding family will share stories all morning.
Come in through the main enterence and pass the house to the vineyard. Sunrise on July 13th is at 6:43 am. They will be there to welcome guests at 6:15 am so you can get set up and watch the world come alive. Coffee will be hot and they will have light pastries for sunrise, prior to breakfast.
The sun rises on Saturday, July 13 at 6:15am. Tickets are $85.
Yoga + Wine with Vino Vinyasa
I’ve yoga’d and wined with Vino Vinyasa and can say that it’s a great time. They do yoga and wine classes in a number of places and the next one in Houston is Saturday, July 20th. Join the Vino Vinyasa team on the Skyline Terrace of the Hilton Americas-Houston for an educational vinyasa-based yoga class followed by a comparative tasting of two refreshing wines. Make it the ultimate self-care day and add a pool pass, charcuterie, or spa upgrades to your ticket.
Tickets are just $30. And if you’re planning ahead, there are upcoming events on August 17th and September 21st.
Chef’s Table at Becker Vineyards
Enjoy a lovely Saturday at Becker Vineyards with lunch in their Lavender Haus Special Events Hall on. Kick things off with a welcome reception featuring wine and cheese reception followed by a sit down lunch. Guests will be able to relish a multi-course menu created by Chef Jean-Claude Balek, paired with Becker Vineyards’ award-winning wines. There’s no better way to spend a Saturday than with good food, great wine, and enjoyable company.
Lunch happens Saturday, July 27 at noon beginning with a welcome reception followed by lunch. Tickets are $145.
Plan Ahead for Messina Hof’s 47th Annual Harvest Festival
We all know August can be hot and miserable, not to mention the stress of back to school time. BUT, there is a bright side. August is also when the Messina Hof Harvest Festival takes place and it is always jam packed with so many fun events.
Here are just a few of the Harvest Festival Activities (I’m only scratching the surface!):
Moonlit Harvests: Stroll the vineyard at sunset and spend a night among the vines, where guests can pick and stomp the grapes that will go into the award-winning Ports at the Estate Vineyard. Attendees will receive a souvenir “Harvest Crew” t-shirt signed with their own purple footprints and are invited to dinner at the vineyard from the delicious Vineyard Cuisine buffet and selection from the wine bar, with a dessert and Port pairing to complete the evening. Moonlit Harvest dates: Fridays, August 2nd, August 16th and August 23rd from 7:30-10 p.m.
Cellar Tour & Dinner: Indulge in a 3-course dinner paired with Messina Hof wines in the candlelit Cellar Room on Saturday, August 3rd from 7-10 p.m. Winemaker and CEO Paul Bonarrigo will lead guests through the winery and share the history of the Bonarrigo family and Messina Hof while offering tastings of wine directly from the tanks and barrels. Reservations are required and space is limited; tickets available HERE.
Trailer Park Tragedy, Murder Mystery Dinner: Messina Hof is well-known for its Murder Mysteries and on Friday August 9th, guests are invited to be the actors and storytellers for the Trailer Park Tragedy. This adventurous evening will be accompanied by a delicious three-course dinner expertly paired with one of Messina Hof’s award-winning wines. In between each course, characters can interact and collect clues to solve the mystery. And in preparation of a lively evening, each guest will receive a character assignment prior to the event to decide on an appropriate costume to play the part! Tickets available HERE.
Mediterranean Cooking Party: Join the Chef at Messina Hof on a culinary journey of the Mediterranean on Sunday, August 18th from 12:30-3 p.m. Learn how to recreate the natural flavors from the coasts of southern Europe to the aromatic spices of North Africa and the Middle East with expertly paired wines. Each guest will receive their own cookbook with the recipes from the meal included and the chance to wine door prizes. Tickets available HERE.
Grand Finale Gala: To celebrate another successful Harvest Festival at the Estate Winery, this elegant evening invites guests to indulge in a decadent menu created by the Vintage House Restaurant Chef and sip on newly released wines on Saturday, August 24th from 7-9:30 p.m. The team at Messina Hof will unveil the winning artwork from the Texas Artist Wine Label Competition that was voted on earlier in the year at the Wine & Roses Festival. Attendees are encouraged to dawn cocktail attire in shades of purple for this year’s theme, “The Grape of it All.” Tickets available HERE.
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