Visiting Texas Hill Country Wineries using the Christmas Wine Affair Passport – Part 2

(Editor: Gina started visiting the Texas Hill Country Wineries using the Christmas Wine Affair passport)

Week Two, Day One

Wedding Oak Winery, Burnet – This location is in a restored historic building that looks out over the holiday decorated main square. We enjoyed tastings while standing at the main bar, and between the two of us enjoyed:

• 2017 Albariño
• 2018 Bridal Bliss (sparkling white)
• 2015 Bridal Blush (primarily Muscat, Orange Muscat)
• 2017 Marsanne (our favorite for the perfect Christmas white!)
• 2015 Sweet Alyssum
• 2018 Rosato di Sangiovese
• 2018 Something Blue (semi-sweet white blend)
• 2017 Something Borrowed (semi-sweet red blend)
• 2016 Texedo Red (Dolcetto, and one of their most popular wines)
• 2017 Tioja (Tempranillo and Garnacha)

There is a holiday special of three bottles: 2016 Reconcilable Differences, 2017 Marsanne, and the 2018 Rosato di Sangiovese for $70. We got personal one-on-one attention from their attentive staff who seemed very knowledgeable about all of the wines.

Perissos Vineyard and Winery, Burnet – Tastings are held in the main tasting room while you are seated near large picture windows that look out over the vineyard. The six listed were:

• 2018 Lucy (estate) – Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat Canelli
• 2018 Reserve Roussanne (One Way Vineyard, aged in Acacia barrels)
• 2017 Estate Rose (Mourvèdre and Grenache)
• 2015 Syrah (estate)
• 2016 Aglianico (estate)
• 2017 Sangiovese – from two vineyards in the Texas High Plains

Cheese plates are available, or you can bring your own snacks. There was a lot of picnic table seating outside under giant oak trees and live music by Nathan Hinojosa. There are currently several holiday specials and their experienced staff can help guide you to what you may need. Owner Laura Martin, stopped by to offer a personal hello, highlighting the atmosphere here which is very warm and friendly – just a lovely winery all around.

Week Two, Day Two

Texas Legato, Lampasas – We were greeted by owner/winemaker Bill Bledsoe, who paused from decorating a Christmas tree on the patio to seat us in the cozy tasting room. He guided us through a free pour tasting that included:

• 2019 Pinot Grigio
• Family Reunion (all of the red grapes they grown, percentages change with each vintage)
• 2016 Estate Merlot
• 2016 Petit Syrah
• 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Hoover Vineyard)
• Eyes of Texas Rose
• Sojourn (dessert red made with Lenoir grapes)
• Sojourn Blanc (dry port)
• Mirtillo (semi sweet red with blueberries from East Texas)

All were wonderful, including a Sojourn liquid center chocolate which was decadent! Their big event each year is the Spring Crawfish Boil which is well attended. They offer a military and civil service discount as well as discounts on case purchases. They have a gifts selection and offer meat and cheese trays, or you can bring your own snacks to enjoy on their covered patio that overlooks the vineyard. They are kid and pet friendly and had several winery fur babies in attendance.

Pillar Bluff Vineyards, Lampasas – Entering the small tasting room which was full of warmth, friendliness, and great wine we met Gill Bledsoe, twin brother of Bill at Texas Legato. Our wine steward guided us through five tastings each, which meant we tried all of his wines:

• Brady Sparkling Peach (sparkling white named for Gill’s grandson)
• 2017 Tempranillo (Texas High Plains)
• 2017 Petite Syrah (Estate)
• 2017 Riesling
• 2017 Kitty (Orange Muscat)
• Wink (Black Spanish and Merlot)
• AuPoire (fruit dessert wine)

Every Sunday they offer handmade wood fired pizza from a brick oven located on their stone gazebo patio out back, and it smelled amazing! They offer mix and match purchase discounts for 6, 12, or 24 bottles. We found all of the wines to be delicious and had the added benefit of Gill seated at the tasting bar with us. Lots of parking, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally friendly folk mean we will definitely visit both brothers’ wineries again!

Fiesta Winery, Lometa – Though we recently visited the Marble Falls location, it was nice to head out to the country and see the vineyard and winery decorated for Christmas. Owner Steve Baxter was in attendance and stopped by to say hello while we enjoyed:

• 2018 Albariño
• Lime in the Coconut (sweet Sauvignon Blanc with citrus and tropical flavors)
• Texas Well Water (sweet Pinot Gris with white cranberry)
• 2016 Tempranillo
• 2016 Sangiovese
• 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Heart of Texas Red (Syrah, Sangiovese, and Souzão)
• Texas Summer Night (sweet Syrah)
• Tex Way Rose (Dolcetto)
• Savannah Rose (sweet White Merlot)

This was a quick tasting as it was our last stop for the day, but we were graciously served even though the staff was preparing for their holiday party on the large covered patio out back. They offer brick oven artisan pizza on Saturdays and Sundays, along with meat and cheese plates or cream cheese with toppings and crackers, so no outside food or coolers are allowed. Saturday, December 14th is their pick-up party and they will be closed to the public, so get there before the Christmas Affair Wine Trail ends!

Please read part 1 and part 3 of our wine trail visits.