Augusta Vin

Located in the Texas Hill Country just nine miles southwest of Fredericksburg, Augusta Vin may have only been open for three weeks, but by the looks of things, it is well on its way to becoming a premier estate winery and vineyard. Owner Scott Felder planted 60 acres in 2017 consisting of 10 varietals – all grapes he is currently sourcing from both the Marble Falls area and the Texas High Plains. Planting an additional 10 acres are in the plans, but for now, he hasn’t decided which grapes. In the meantime, he has also built an impressive two-story estate tasting building on historical homestead property with comfort and hill country views in spades. One of the original homes is also on the property and future plans may transform it into a bridal “ready suite.”

Upon entering the property, a large production facility built in similar style to the tasting room, sits on an expansive lawn with many large oaks. Further up the winding drive is the tasting building where you are immediately greeted by staff who seat you according to your preferred experience. Tastings are conducted either at the wine bar downstairs, or at private tables upstairs and on the second-floor balcony.

Augusta Vin prides themselves on the “concierge experience” which includes knowledgeable and friendly staff who guide you through a tasting experience of either whites and rosés, or reds only. Augusta Vin has several seating options; there are “member only” as well as prospective member outdoor seating areas that feature outdoor tasting bars. There were many different groupings of chairs and tables – seating defined for small intimate tastings or larger group experiences. You can reserve a tasting time in advance on their website, but drop-ins are also welcome. You can also schedule a Tour with Tasting for $35 and follow the grapes from field to production facility to glass. They are open every day and are kid and dog friendly.

We chose one of each tasting so that we could try every wine, and all were fantastic. On the whites and rosés tasting, these were the wines:

• Brisk White 2018 – a proprietary blend tasting of honeydew, ripe pear, and spiced apple
• High Plains Marsanne 2018 – with notes of peach and honeysuckle with slight minerality
• Latitude 45 2018 – a white blend of Roussanne and Marsanne with delicious honey notes
• Rose of Counoise 2018 – a blending grape that Augusta Vin is bottling as a single varietal, a delightful semi-dry and tart wine with beautiful flavors of candied apple and cranberry. There are currently five acres of this rare varietal planted.

The reds we were offered were equally impressive – in fact, we did not try a wine that we did not love!

• Malbec 2017 – with grapes from Marble Falls and rich with notes of baking spices, dark fruit, and brioche
• Tannat 2017 – a treat of chocolate, tobacco, blackberry, and plum
• Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 – heavy on cocoa, ripe blue fruit, and fig
• Tempranillo 2017 – featured pie spice and vanilla notes, along with blackberry, plum, and leather
• Petite Sirah 2017 – (our absolute favorite!) an amazing wine tailor-made made for fall sipping with notes of blueberry, black plum, cocoa and vanilla

Outside food is not encouraged as they have a kitchen on site that prepares beautiful charcuterie boards, mushroom and mozzarella skewers, apple and pear prosciutto bites, ricotta bruschetta, and a local peach salad that features roasted peaches and Marcona almonds, just to name a few menu items. Gluten-free and vegetarian items, as well as nut allergy items, are denoted on the menu.

Three levels of wine club – Silver, Gold, and Platinum – all include discounts on wine (four allocations per year), access to the members-only courtyard, and exclusive events. Plans for an open area just outside of the tasting building and bordering the vineyard include a space for private events and live music. Our wine steward was amazing and very knowledgeable about wines in general, and it was a delight to spend an afternoon on the breezy second floor patio. Augusta Vin is an experience we will want to repeat again very soon.