Tara Vineyard and Winery Revisited

It has been nine years since I last visited Tara Vineyard and Winery, so when I knew I was going to East Texas, I made a point to add Tara Vineyard as the first winery to visit.

Upon arriving at the winery, the incredible turn-of-the-century house now called the Tara Inn was still welcoming with the vineyard around the house. Blanc du Bois and Black Spanish are growing in the vineyard. If I ever find myself not being busy, I plan on staying at the Inn and relaxing.

The winery’s tasting room has not changed much since I was there last. Kim helped me to select a seat inside the A/C and provided me with a tasting. I had these different choices:

• Premium Bar Tasting – five pours of any wine
• Table Flight – five pours delivered to your table with sourdough bread slices
• Couple Flight – ten pours delivered to your table with sourdough bread and dipping sauce

Since it was just me, I chose the premium bar tasting. These are the wines I selected to taste:

• Blanc du Bois 2022 dry estate
• Montepulciano – Texas High Plains
• Carriage House (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Montepulciano)
• Twelve Oaks (Mourvèdre, Syrah)
• Tempranillo – dry East Texas limited edition

During the tasting, I learned that Mike Sipowicz (previously of Texas Custom Wine Works) is the winemaker. He lives in the High Plains but comes in every so often to make the wines.

It was lunchtime when I visited, and that tasting option with sourdough bread sounded inviting, so I ordered a half loaf. I’m glad I did because it was the best sourdough bread I have ever had!

I then met Susan Steger, owner of Tara Vineyard and Winery. We chatted during the rest of my tasting and she told me that Tara now owns the Athens Brewing Co. in downtown Athens. Some of the wines can be obtained there, but it is primarily a brewery and restaurant.

Everybody at Tara Vineyard and Winery is excited that a swimming pool is being built. I could understand why since it was fairly hot while I visited, and a cool dip into a swimming pool would be nice.

I made a promise for it not to be another nine years until I visited again, so check out Tara Vineyard and Winery the next time you’re in the Athens area.