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Were courting new members. In the past, we have been known for our exemplary private golf club experience,
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TENNIS ANYONE?
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Te Secret to the Hill Countrys Wine Success

By Tifany Young

While not as well known for its wine as say, Napa Valley
or Tuscany, the Texas Hill Country is quickly becoming
well-recognized for its wineries.

Te region is still relatively new in the industry, but
has already begun receiving accolades. In 2007 Orb-
itz named the Texas Hill Country the second fastest-
growing wine destination in the U.S., and in 2010 away.
com listed it as the No. 1 Top Ten Hidden-Gem Wine
Regions.

Tourism and Going Local
At least some of the Hill Countrys wine success can be
contributed to Texas Hills Vineyard, located just outside
Johnson City in the Pedernales River Valley.

Texas Hills Vineyard owner Gary Gilstrap said he and
his wife Kathy started the Texas Wine Trails the same
day they opened their tasting room in 1999. Te trail
now includes about 30 wineries to really whet a trav-
elers appetite.

Te Wine and Food Foundation of Texasa nonproft
located in Westlake and formed by founders of the
Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, has also
helped spread the word about Texas wineries. It ac-
complishes this through annual Rare and Fine Wine
Auctions, which bring in collectors from near and far.
Its Stephan Pyles Culinary Scholarship helps the cause
as well, while at the same time giving back to the Texas
food industry when scholarship recipients practice their
culinary vocation throughout the state.

Another advantage for the Hill Country is its close
proximity to cities and their many residents who cant
wait to purchase wine and foods locally.

William Chris Vineyards Chris Brundrett said about
99 percent of the vineyards business is done locally
either through selling in the metro areas or with local
tourists who visit the tasting room.

Te Hill Country is not only a great place to grow
grapes, but its close to where people can access the
wine, Brundrett said. Were 25 minutes from Austin,
which is really convenient.

And many Austin restaurants stock wines from local
vineyards. Bottles from William Chris Vineyards can be
found at Keniche, Wink or Jack Allens Kitchen.

Gilstrap also attributes Texas Hills Vineyards success
to using only Texas fruits and Texans large appetite for
wine.

Weve got Texas in our name. We committed to just
using Texas fruits, and Texans are pretty loyal, Gary
Gilstrap said. If the wine is good, that makes it easier.


Why it works
But just because theres a market for wine, doesnt mean
a place can grow good grapes.

What makes the Hill Country wines so drinkable?

Our soil here is exactly what Tuscanys is. It doesnt
get as cool here at night, but otherwise conditions are
similar, Gilstrap said. Our favor profle is quite nice,
actually. We have a wide range of wines now.

Brundrett agrees that the weather and soil is what
makes the Hill Country wines enjoyable to drink.

Te Hill Country is a wonderful place to grow grapes,
Brundrett said. We have a lot of decomposed granite.
We have a lot of warmer weather grapes that work out
really well. Teres not a lot of rain and we ofen avoid
frost.


Sidebar

Texas Hills Vineyard

Gary and Kathy Gilstrap took their 20 years experi-
ence running a pharmacy and applied it to making and
distributing wine.
Applying their detail-oriented profession of pharma-
ceuticals into developing wine concoctions have paid
of. Te vineyard now boasts the second largest produc-
tion of wine in the Hill Country and ffh in the state,
producing 18,000 cases per year.

Te Texas Hills Vineyard tasting room stands unique in
that there is a wide variety of humorous gifs and local
foods for purchase. Also, theres a good chance Gilstrap
himself will be pouring wines and entertaining guests