A Soiree to Remember

An eventful Wine Weekend came to a close in an exciting way as the Annual High Plains Winegrowers Soiree 2017 was held. This much anticipated event was held in the beautiful Eberley Brooks Events Center in Wolfforth (near Lubbock). The rustic atmosphere was the perfect venue for the fancy dress/boots and jeans crowd on hand.

The only downside to the delightful evening was the downpour of rain that greeted guests as they exited their cars. But not to worry! Men with umbrellas were stationed around to escort you into the building, dry as the perfect wine. And besides, West Texas always needs rain!

The tables shimmered with wine glasses, seven for each of the approximately 320 guests, which the guests were able to carry home at the conclusion of the evening in perfectly packed boxes!

The first course, which was a tortellini salad with bacon, baby romaine, and sliced tomato, was on the table awaiting the pouring of the Duchman Family Winery’s 2015 Trebbiano. This wine was an excellent choice with the surprisingly delicious salad. Trebbiano is the most planted white grape in Italy and France. It is a vigorous, high yielding, and disease resistant variety. This one was grown by the Bingham Family Vineyards in Terry County. Light straw-yellow in color, citrus, tropical fruit on faint floral nose, green apple and citrus on the palate, the light refreshing wine was a great choice.

While guests enjoyed their salad, emcee for the evening Matt Rush welcomed the crowd and introduced High Plains Winegrowers Association (HPWA) President Andy Timmons who offered the invocation, thanking God for the recent rains, and asking protection from the frost that threatened later that evening.

Matt introduced current and past board members of the HPWA and thanked them for their willingness to serve.

The Main Course consisted of a perfectly prepared New York strip with caramelized bacon-onion jam, roasted garlic and parmesan potatoes, green beans, and green chili hominy. Paired with this course were two great wines: 2015 Relentless from Trilogy Cellars and 2015 Private Reserve Merlot from Messina Hof.

Relentless was created with grapes grown by Amanecer Vineyard, Bolen Vineyards, and Krick Hill Vineyards, all Hockley County vineyards. This red blend uses both Malbec and Merlot. The nose is fruit-forward with hints of herbs and intense berries. In the mouth, the velvety texture balances the bite with supple vanilla and spices. It truly represents what a blend should offer.

The Private Reserve Merlot was created from grapes from the Smotherman Vineyard in Terry County. This wine embodies beauty and grace with perfect balance between rich oak and delicate fruit. Silky smooth tannin structure developed throughout extensive oak barrel aging compliments this Bordeaux style wine.

After the Main Course, a lively auction was held where the bidding was quick and the callers were active, making for a fun event for a great cause. After all was said and done, over $28,000 was raised to support the education, legislative, and branding initiatives.

A cheese course was served next with some really great cheeses. If you didn’t find the first one to your liking, the next one surely would be. Paired with the cheese course was Ron Yates 2016 Sangiovese Rosé and Becker Vineyards 2015 Reserve Dolcetto.

The Sangiovese Rosé was crafted from the grapes of Farmhouse Vineyards of Terry County. This wine is production fermented and aged for six months in a neutral oak sur lie. Aromas of strawberry, white peach with flavors of raspberry and cream. This wine is not yet released to the public. But be anticipating a truly delightful wine if a rosé is your thing!

The Reserve Dolcetto was created with grapes grown at Diamonte Doble Vineyard in Terry County. Dolcetto, which translates “little sweet one,” is a lighter bodied red, with a balanced astringency is drinkable now, but will age nicely over the next 3-5 years.

The meal closed with a decadent Chocolate Tuxedo Bomb for dessert. This creamy textured delight, coated with a chocolate shell was a feast for the eyes, as well as the mouth. This dessert was paired perfectly with the Wedding Oak Winery’s 2014 Orange Muscat. Grapes for this wine were also grown at Diamonte Doble. This wine is 100% Orange Muscat. It has a beautiful yellow color with orange highlights. You are met with an effervescent bouquet of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, Meyer lemons, marcona almonds, and a touch of cedar. The sweetness of this wine is well balanced, and not at all overpowering.

It was a great evening of fellowship, clinking glasses, and great food. People are already anticipating the event next year.

Be sure to read about the other events from the previous two days in Jeremy’s post.