I’m baaaack! #LawyerLife has seriously been kicking my ass! I can’t remember a time when I’ve felt pulled in so many directions and have been so in-demand at the office. That probably applies to home life too – basketball for Thing 2 and robotics club and tennis for Thing 1 (and the volunteering that goes along with it) have us running, jumping, and seemingly always driving somewhere. Plus, I’ve been traveling and doing college tours with Thing 1 (sniff, sniff) which has been really cool bonding time, but just one more thing to do. But I have missed writing about wine and am finally giving myself grace for not writing as much as I’d like. If I have time, I’ll write. If I don’t, then that has to be OK too. These days, delving into wine is a nice diversion from the craziness of the world. Hell, it’s so crazy out there that Houston got 4 inches of snow!
Let’s see what’s going on in my beloved Texas wine country…
Vine Vinyasa Valle de Guadalupe Retreat
Our favorite yoga gal is headed to Mexico for an amazing retreat. The experience includes three nights of accommodations at the beautiful El Cielo Resort, daily yoga, professional wine education, and all meals including wine at restaurants, including Fauna, consistently voted one of the top restaurants in the world.
This is an intimate retreat with only 10 tickets available, and payment plans are available as well. Dates are April 10-13, 2025. Check out all the details here.
Spicewood Vineyards Pair it with the Claret Chili Cook-Off
Join Spicewood Vineyards for their 17th Annual Pair it with the Claret Chili Cook-Off. The Spicewood Cabernet Claret is a proprietary, medium-bodied red blend with ripe berry flavors that make it a perfect pairing with spicy Texas chili. Guests will be able to taste chili from more than 20 different chili competitors. For heartier appetites there will be food trucks onsite, and the wine from Spicewood Vineyards is available for purchase by the glass or by the bottle. Live music will be provided by a few stellar bands including All Hat No Cadillac. This is a favorite party of the year for many with excellent wine paired with outstanding chili, and good times!
The event takes place on Saturday February 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m at the winery. Tickets are $25 dollars in advance, $30 at the door.
Texas Wine Collective’s Taste of TX: Mac & Cheese for The WIN(E)
Mac n cheese plus wine?! Oh hello! I seriously love the events at TWC and this one ranks up there for sure. There’s something deeply soul-satisfying about digging into a bowl of creamy mac and cheese. Let’s face it—cheese and pasta are just better together. The only way to make this combo better? They have paired three of the best Mac and Cheese Recipes with 6 of Texas Wine Collective Wines!
The cheese goes down Sunday, February 23rd, at 1:00pm. Tickets are available in advance for $55, with a special rate of $50 for Wine Club members.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Champion Wines Garden
The Houston Rodeo is coming up March 4 through March 23, which means a trip to the Championship Wine Garden. There will be 75 award-winning wines available, including some Texas wines, to enjoy in addition to live music and a great place to just hang out. Tent and table reservations are available for those looking to host an event in this popular spot during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. One thing I love about the wine garden are all of the wine seminars that they put on. The series of seminars introduce wine lovers to different themes as well as the chance to taste some of this year’s award winners. Whether you want to learn about steak and wine pairings or bubbles, the seminars offer something for everyone. There’s even one on Texas wine. Check out their website for more info.
Wedding Oak Wine Train
Seriously one of my fave events is riding the Wedding Oak Wine Train. Passengers will enjoy a 2-hour train ride from Cedar Park spanning the South San Gabriel River while enjoying an intimate talk and wine tasting with members of the Wedding Oak family. In Burnet, bottles to-go, and food are available for purchase during a 2-hour layover. Then relax and enjoy the ride as the train returns to the Cedar Park Depot in the afternoon. Your ticket includes a 2-hour train ride and a tasting-sized flight of 5 wines.
The train rolls February 23, March 2, March 9, and more.
Ab Astris Wine Pairing Dinner
Join Ab Astris and Chef Josh Tye for an amazing wine pairing dinner. I absolutely adore their wines and co-owner and winemaker Mike Nelson is an absolute foodie, so you know this will be great. I’ve peeped the menu and it looks delicious – blue crab, shortrib bolognese, seared duck breast, and more!
Dinner takes place on Friday, March 7th beginning at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $110 per person for wine club members and $120 for all others and includes all food, wine and gratuity.
Becker Vineyards Bluebonnets, Bluegrass, & BBQ
Near and dear to Texans’ hearts is the state flower…the Texas Bluebonnet! Becker Vineyards’ annual Bluebonnets, Bluegrass, and Barbeque takes place on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 & 16, 2025 on their lawn beside the winery! This time of year is typically prime viewing time for bluebonnets. You can’t miss them lining the roads! Guests can listen to Bluegrass music (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) by while enjoying Barbeque! (No cover charge for the music.) NOTE: Pre-Purchased Tickets are not required. BBQ Plate tickets will be sold at the Lavender Haus doors from 11:30 a.m.- until out. A great time to relax and enjoy the great weather. More info here.
Texas Wine Collective Spring Art Wine & Dine Showcase
Indulge in a Wine and Food Pairing Experience that will delight your palate and feed your soul. Relax and enjoy live music as each pairing is thoughtfully matched with the work of a local artist. Savor wonderfully paired spring-inspired dishes alongside Texas Wine Collective wines while admiring stunning art.
The event takes place at Texas Wine Collective on Sunday, March 16 with food and wine pairings available from 12:00–2:00 PM and the artist showcase open from 12:00–4:00 PM. Advance ticket purchases are required, get your tickets for this unique celebration of wine, food, and art! Plus, live music by the Jeff Jacobs Band. Tickets are $55.
Texas Fine Wine Retrospective & Perspective
Join Texas Fine Wine and its member wineries (Bending Branch Winery, Duchman Family Winery, Pedernales Cellars and Spicewood Vineyards) for their Wine Retrospective & Perspective. I attended last year’s event and it was quite an eye-opening experience. As the name implies, it’s an event that shows where we came from, where we are, and where we think we’re going as it relates to the Texas wine industry. During last year’s event, we got to see how Texas wines have the ability to age as we tasted wines over the course of a decade. As a young industry, it was cool to be able to take this look at the status of the wines.
The event takes place on Saturday, March 22 at Spicewood Vineyards.
Coming Up
Messina Hof’s 41st Annual Wine & Roses Festival
Messina Hof will host its 41st annual Wine & Roses Festival from Friday, April 25th to Saturday, April 26th! This annual event invites locals and tourists to experience the winery’s award-winning products while enjoying live music, delightful food pairings, exclusive wine tastings, and local vendors, all while exploring the Estate Winery grounds in Bryan, Texas. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply looking for a fun weekend getaway, there’s plenty of options for those visiting the winery this spring!
No Comments