Kuhlman Cellars Releases Inaugural Estate Wines

On Sunday, June 24, Kuhlman Cellars hosted special small group tasting events for Vina Vita wine club members that afforded the opportunity to be among the first to try their three new 2017 estate wines. The white wines featured included their 2017 estate Roussanne which was stainless aged and crisp, and refreshing with honeysuckle, citrus, and apricot notes. The Roussanne was awarded a Silver medal in the 2018 Lone Star International Wine Competition.

The second wine named Kuhlmanation White was a blend featuring 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne grapes that presented a floral nose, with a lovely complexity of white peach, pear, and almond notes and slight minerality on the lingering smooth finish. This wine was also award-winning receiving a Gold medal in the 2018 Lone Star International Wine Competition and a Silver medal in the 2018 Lyon International Wine Competition in France.

The third wine poured, the Kuhlmanation Rosé, was crafted from Carignan grapes with ruby red grapefruit on the nose, and beautiful honeydew, pepper, and watermelon notes. All three were wonderful and enjoyable on a hot Texas afternoon.

The delighted attendees welcomed details shared by Chris Cobb and his mother, who happens to help grow the grapes. She readily shared the tale of how the vineyard came into being along with additional anecdotal details that Chris added. Then it was the opportunity for the winemaker, Bénédicte Rhyne, to share a bit of her story as she affectionately recalled relocating from California to the Texas Hill Country several years ago. Thankfully, she and Chris later crossed paths and decided to work together. As one listened to everyone’s piece of the story, it truly demonstrated how fate played a part in helping this dream come true.

The crowd was not shy, and attendees enjoyed asking questions during the afternoon tasting, and those in attendance gained a greater appreciation for the chain of events that helped bring this team together. To sit and then sip and share how this dream became reality and taste the literal fruits of their labor was inspiring. Based on these initial estate releases, there is no doubt this vineyard is going to produce some amazing grapes and wines in the years ahead. Part of the Kuhlman Cellars philosophy is the belief that wine helps promote a greater appreciation of the land and life’s journey, and these initial estate wines were met with applause.

Attending this event likewise provided the chance to be among the first to purchase these wines at special rates prior to their official release to the wine club within the week. The initial vintage was exclusively released to the Vina Vita wine club members. Most guests preordered boxed sets of the trio in advance, and after sampling the wines, many individuals gladly lined up to purchase additional bottles. With the appeal of these initial estate vintages and the awards they have already acquired, one should anticipate wonderful things ahead for future vintages and varietals from Kuhlman Cellars.