William Chris Vineyards and Texas Sommelier Ali Schmidt Release Texas Red Blend Benefitting Feeding Texas

William Chris Vineyards co-owner and winemaker Chris Brundrett is excited to announce the launch of the Wanderer Series Relief Project II, featuring a new wine benefitting Feeding Texas created in collaboration with Texas sommelier and Emmer & Rye wine director and manager Ali Schmidt. The wine is available now on WCV’s website, as well as from the following retailers in select locations across Texas: H-E-B, Spec’s, Central Market, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, and several independent bottle shops throughout Texas.

“We created the first Relief Project wine in 2020 because we saw an opportunity to support our fellow Texans,” said Brundrett. “Last year, we focused on the restaurant community who had been completely stalled by the pandemic, and this year we’re partnering with Feeding Texas because we know that many Texans are still coming back from the curveballs that have been thrown our way this past year. Ali and I are both proud to support this great cause with our Wanderer Series Relief Project II.”

The Wanderer Series Relief Project II red blend features 92% Cinsault and 8% Carignan from the Texas High Plains and is juicy and bright with generous strawberry and cherry notes and a silky texture.

“This wine is meant for summer 2021, for catching up with friends and family, and for hot afternoons that turn into late nights,” says Schmidt. “The wine is best served chilled in the fridge or on ice for 20 minutes, then enjoyed on its own or with picnic lunches, barbecue, and food off the grill.”

The wine was created with a mission of supporting and nourishing Texas families in need as they get back on their feet. “The pandemic already pushed more Texans than ever to access food assistance from food banks, public nutrition programs, and other sources. But the need soared even higher as our network of food banks helped Texas families recover from the impact of the recent winter storms,” said Celia Cole, chief executive officer at Feeding Texas. “We are grateful to have the support of the Wanderer Series Relief Project II.”

Another remarkable aspect of the project is the abundance of generosity once again put forward by the industry partners involved. This project would not be possible without the support of Victory Wine Group, which is handling the distribution of the wine; design shop Canales & Co. out of Austin, who created the label design; and Berlin Glass, who provided the bottles.

The Wanderer Series Relief Project was launched in April 2020 with the mission to support the hardworking group of chefs, servers, sommeliers, and bartenders that make up the Texas restaurant community, which was critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The red blend wine, created in collaboration with Master Sommelier Craig Collins, sold out online and across all retailers, enabling William Chris Vineyards to raise over $45,000 for the Southern Smoke Foundation.

Photos courtesy of Madison Boudreaux/David Bates