Updates from Becker Vineyards

Some updates came out this past week from Becker Vineyards and here are some of the highlights.

Chef Gino Gabriel joined the Becker Vineyards team. He will be their new chef for their private events and bistro area (Friday-Sunday) in the Lavender Haus Reception Hall. He was Becker Vineyards’ first food vendor for weekends and special events several years ago. Chef Gino Gabriel has an impressive history of culinary accolades so you can be sure to enjoy his cuisine at Becker Vineyards.

The Becker Vineyards Winery tasting room opened to the public in April 1996 with a Grand Opening on July 4, 1996. So this year, Becker Vineyards will be celebrating 20 years of being opened to the public.

Nichole Bendele, Public Relations & Tasting Room Coordinator, was hired at Becker Vineyards in May 1996 so this year will mark her 20th year with Becker Vineyards too. She was hired to help part time in the tasting room and then a few months later was hired full time to help in the tasting room, as well as work with public relations. Nichole said, “The wine industry and working with the public is never dull. I can definitely say I’m never bored! I’ve met a lot of wonderful people and have learned a lot about wine hands on, through a Long Distance Learning class through UC Davis Winemaking 101 and the Court of Master Sommelier’s Level 1 course. It has also been exciting to see the Texas wine industry grow!”

During a recent trip to Becker Vineyards, a group of friends and I were fortunate to have a tasting led by Nichole. She certainly knows her stuff! She also confirmed what Dr. Becker told a tour group I was in previously; every bottle of Becker Vineyards has at least some Texas wine in it.

The summer of 2015 was the 20th grape harvest for Becker Vineyards. They had a mild, gentle summer which stretched out their harvest which ended in October. They are looking forward to some wonderful wines being released this spring and summer.

Becker Vineyards received some recent awards:

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition (1 Gold [2013 Tempranillo], 6 Silvers, and 3 Bronzes)
• San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition (Reserve Champion White Wine, Gold, Top of Class were for the 2014 Viognier Reserve; 2 Silvers and 2 Bronzes

When I was at Becker last month, I saw some road construction and now I know what it was. The winery has added a second bridge to reach the winery and tasting room. Now they will have an “in” bridge and an “out” bridge to prevent bottlenecking on the road. They have also torn down the wooden fence and added a rock one. The rock one also adds more informal seating for visiting guests. The open aired Pavilion (they built that about three years ago) has tables and chairs and the Verandah has benches. They have also been busy planting more shade trees and roses.

Wine club members now have a new location at the winery to enjoy tasting during the usual busy Saturdays. The Barrel Chai space has opened and that is even more of a reason to join the Becker Vineyards wine club and visit on a Saturday now.

Becker Vineyards is always having events, so keep checking their website and Facebook page to plan your next visit.