Sam Jennings of Bingham Family Vineyards Winemaker Profile

Bingham Family Vineyards recently announced in July 2021 that new winemaker Sam Jennings had joined their team. We are proud to present Sam for this month’s featured winemaker profile!

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

I went to college and studied Sociology. After school I found myself working my first harvest in an enology lab in Washington state because the pay was better than any other work I could find in my field of study.

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

Well, I’m new out here so my experience is limited. So far, I have seen challenges with the weather cooperating with the growing season and low acidity levels.

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

In my humble opinion, it is both. I know some fantastic winemakers that lean heavily on the scientific side and some fantastic winemakers that lean more on the artistic side. For me, a good scientific foundation allows more artistic freedom in my winemaking style. Balance is everything in winemaking, finding the balance of science and art makes the best wines.

4. What is your favorite food and wine pairing?

I enjoy a simple ribeye seasoned with sea salt and cracked pepper, cooked over lump charcoal on the grill paired with a nice Cab Franc or Tempranillo.

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

Youth counseling was my original career plan.

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

When I started in the enology labs the combination of science and art fascinated me. After my first harvest working in the labs, I knew I had to get into the cellar and learn how to make wine. 2021 will be my 15th harvest.

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

“Do you drink a lot of wine?”

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

I enjoy kicking my shoes off and firing up the grill or smoker and making a good meal.

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

The ability to take a bunch of fresh grapes and craft something so complex and unique out of them.

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

My winemaking philosophy is to work with the fruit as naturally as possible. I am not a big fan of additives, I take a minimalist approach and blend old-world traditional winemaking styles with new-world science.

11. Anything else you would like to add?

I am really excited to be out in here Texas. I really think Texas wineries have an opportunity to give California, Washington, and Oregon a run for their money crafting exceptional wines with Texas-grown fruit. It’s an exciting time to be joining the Texas wine industry!