Bob Cottle of Pleasant Hill Winery Winemaker Profile

Pleasant Hill Winery is located in Brenham and was one of the first wineries Texas Wine Lover visited and included on the website. We met Bob Cottle on our first visit, and have seen him throughout the years at wine festivals and the winery. Pleasant Hill Winery has been open since 1996 and was the 27th Texas commercial winery, so Bob Cottle has had years of experience as a winemaker. We are glad to present Bob Cottle as this month’s winemaker profile.

1. What did you do before becoming a winemaker (if anything)?

As an Engineer, my work history includes: Nuclear Power Plant, Oil Drilling Rig Design, and Civil Engineering Sales.

2. What is the toughest challenge about being a winemaker in Texas?

Convincing people we make great wine from Texas grapes.

3. Is winemaking an art or a science or both?

Both. Blending is critical to making good wine. It is all about flavors and aromas, which to me is art. To get to the blending, you need the science of growing, harvest, fermentation, and aging. Also, while the juice, must, and wine is in the cellar, science can tell you a problem is about to happen before it does.

4. What is your favorite food and wine pairing?

Deep fried Tres Leches with Portejas™ Blanco.

5. If you didn’t make wine, what would you do?

I probably would be sailing.

6. What first attracted you to winemaking and how long have you been doing it?

A college friend’s suggestion that we pick cherries and make cherry wine, 1974 vintage.

7. What is the most common question you are asked as a winemaker?

What is your favorite wine?

8. After a long day in the winery or vineyard, what do you do?

Think about how lucky I am.

9. What’s the greatest part about being a winemaker?

See the answer to #8.

10. What is your winemaking philosophy, that is, what are you trying to achieve with your wines?

Guide, don’t force; let the consumer enjoy the grapes.

11. Anything else you would like to add?

See the answer to #8.