Fiesta Winery, with locations in Lometa and Fredericksburg, now has a beautiful tasting room in the historic Old Oak Square in downtown Marble Falls, located at 309 Main Street. Though we had visited earlier this year when it opened, we were delighted to return and meet the owners, Steve and Sally Baxter. According to Sally, this opportunity found them in a way and after deciding to open there, the whole Baxter family worked together to finish out the tasting room in a record two weeks, doing most of the renovations themselves. A large marble-topped tasting bar is backed by shelves of wine boasting beautiful labels designed by the Baxter family daughter, Savannah. The tasting room is managed by Patrice Streit who was as gracious and welcoming on our visit as the Baxters themselves.
A family labor of love, production in Lometa this year topped 30,000 cases. Winemaker Weston McCoury’s lineup includes six recent medal winners in the 2020 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition to include two Bronze medals, three Silver medals, and a Gold for the 2016 Tempranillo. Although Fiesta Winery is known for their sweet wines, there is a wine for every palate, and we found plenty of whites and reds, both sweet and dry, to try. Steve says that often customers will come in wanting a big, bold dry wine and leave with a couple of bottles of sweet wine.
Steve and Sally Baxter
Texas Whites include (medals listed from Houston Rodeo competition):
- 2018 Albariño (Bronze medal)
- 2018 Viognier
- 2018 Riesling
- 2018 Pinot Grigio
- Mustang Sally – a new release blend of all four white varietals
- Lime in the Coconut – a Sauvignon Blanc with citrus and tropical flavors
- Texas Well Water – Pinot Gris with white cranberry
- Happy Trails – Chardonnay and peach
- Skinny Dippin’ – Riesling and apple
Texas Reds:
- 2016 Merlot (Bronze medal)
- 2016 Tempranillo (Gold medal)
- 2016 Sangiovese (Silver medal)
- 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2017 Country Road – Tempranillo, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, and Merlot blend (Silver medal)
- Heart of Texas Red – blend of Syrah, Sangiovese, and Souzão (Silver medal)
- Back Porch Sittin’ – Cabernet and blackberry
- Home Sweet Home – Red Zinfandel and pomegranate
- Texas Summer Night – Syrah and blueberry
Blush wines:
- Tex Way Rose – Dolcetto
- Chicky Baby – blush blend with berry and melon notes
- Rhinestone Cowgirl – Malbec and Pinot Gris
- Sandia – characteristic of watermelon
- Savannah Rose – white Merlot with strawberry notes
Sparkling wines:
- Texas Bubbles
- Southern Sparkle
- Smile, There’s Bubbly – sweet Moscato
Dessert wines:
- Smokin’ Gun
- Decadencia
- Dulce Ray
A canned wine selection (Tex Way Rosé and Lime in the Coconut) as well as gifts which include stemware, hats, T-shirts, and wine accessories are also offered.
The tasting menu is arranged by sweetness scale, in order from the driest to the sweetest, and wines are also color coded. Fiesta’s sommelier, Erin Green, has helped to make the menu of 28 wines easy to navigate with tasting notes that are designed to help customers find the wines they’ll love. Tastings are offered at the bar or at a private table in the expansive tasting room overlooking the shaded patio out front. For a set fee, five wines are offered, and a souvenir stemless glass is yours to take home. The tasting fee is waived if you purchase three or more bottles of wine. Wine discounts are offered to no-club members for 6 and 12 bottle purchases. Wines by the glass are also offered. A tasting room menu is available, pairing expertly with several wine choices, and includes:
- Roasted Pineapple Habanero or Raspberry Chipotle over cream cheese, served with crackers
- Gourmet Meat and Cheese plate
- Chips and Salsa
Events at the Marble Falls location include a Knotty Night and Wine Down where customers can learn quick and easy massage tips while sipping on Texas wine. Although wine club parties will not be held at the Marble Falls tasting room, you can pick up your wine club selections from that location. A three-tiered wine club is available with allocations four times per year and includes complimentary tasting and discounts on wine. Steve and Sally want their customers to feel as comfortable here as in their own homes – and this new tasting room is the perfect setting for sittin’ and sippin’ while enjoying Texas hospitality!
