Adelphos Cellars

Adelphos Cellars is located in the Texas High Plains and is owned by Jim and Barbara Irwin, David and Kathy Conklin, and Mike and Tammy Boring. Jim and Barbara also own the family-owned 22-acre estate vineyard, Cerro Santo Vineyards, from which their wines are made. The winemaker is Manuel Lechuga who used to be the winemaker for Pheasant Ridge Winery in the 1980s.

I was planning on visiting 1 1/2 years ago but the weather decided to throw us a curveball with an electric pole by the winery causing some damage. Thankfully at that time, Jim Irwin was able to work with Vicky Keller to do a tasting from her house where I thoroughly enjoyed the wines. This time the weather cooperated and I was able to visit the winery’s production facility.

I arrived at the winery and it was expected that the production facility was not like the typical tasting room since it isn’t designed to be a tasting room, but it was fun doing a tasting in the barrel room. I met Jim and Barbara, and Jim soon began a tasting with me. These were the wines available:

• 2019 Tempranillo from Buena Suerte Vineyards
• 2020 Old Friends (Muscat Canelli, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and a Chardonnay touch)
• 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
• 2020 Ruby Rosé ( Ruby Cabernet and Primitivo)
• 2019 Primitivo
• 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2019 Syrah
• 2019 Tempranillo
• 2018 Primitivo Riserva

About this time, Vicky Keller and her husband Dave arrived, and Vicki joined the tasting. It was also the perfect time because Jim decided to add a vertical of Tempranillo for us:

• 2021 Tempranillo (Diamante Doble Dos) – barrel tasting
• 2020 Tempranillo (Reddy Vineyards) – not released yet, maybe end of 2022
• 2019 Tempranillo from Buena Suerte Vineyards

Jim and Barbara showed me drawings of their planned winery and event center which is going to be built in southwestern Lubbock with a possible opening fall of 2023. All I can say is that I will be there! The architectural drawing looks great.

I could not leave yet because Vicky Keller wanted me to do a barrel tasting of the wine she is making with the help of Adelphos Cellars. I tasted the 2019 barrel sample of Spoiled Child. Oh, it’s going to be a good one!