Blue Duck Winery – Revisited

Blue Duck Winery first opened in Albany, Texas, and as is common with some businesses, changes have occurred since that time. There are now two owners from the original four owners and the winery has moved to Cisco, Texas. On a recent trip to Central Texas, I made a point to stop by Blue Duck Winery in Cisco to learn what has changed since my last visit to the winery in Albany.

The owners of Blue Duck Winery are now Adrian and Sheila Allen. I had informed Adrian that I would be visiting because I wanted to confirm the hours they would be open on the Thursday I visited. They were going to open at noon, and I arrived shortly before noon. Cisco is a town worth visiting because right across the street from Blue Duck Winery is Broken X Winery. I first visited Broken X and then walked across the street to visit Blue Duck.

Adrian Allen was in the winery because he and assistant winemaker Greg were working on some new wines. Adrian took the time to do a tasting for me and filled me in on the changes. The winery was doing well in Albany, but then COVID-19 hit, and we all know how that affected the number of visitors to wineries. Adrian and Sheila Allen have a two-acre vineyard called Cottonwood Springs Vineyard they planted in 2011 which is in Cross Plains, Texas. There were some lease issues with the Albany location, so they decided to relocate the winery to Cisco which is also closer to their home.

These are the wines that were available at the time of my visit:

• Viognier – from their vineyard
• Prairie Land Peach (Riesling with peach infusion). Semi-sweet.
• Lori Darling (Muscat Canelli). Semi-sweet.
• Primitivo – Texas High Plains
• Jeremiah Red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat)
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Choc-Holliday (Ruby Cabernet and dark chocolate) – dessert wine. This was named because Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp met for the first time just north of the Allen’s vineyard.
• Cynthia Ann (Ruby Cabernet with added blood orange and brandy) – dessert wine. This wine honors Adrian Allen’s sister.
• Topūsiana (blend of five different grapes) – dessert wine
• Annie Laura (blackberry and blueberry infused) – dessert wine. This was named after Sheila Allen’s grandmother.

The Allens are growing Viognier and Tempranillo in their small vineyard and Adrian makes the estate wines from those grapes. Since there are only two acres, there aren’t many cases for those wines. The 2021 Tempranillo was sold out, but they had one last bottle, and we all enjoyed tasting the wine made in a Spanish style.

Adrian Allen

Since it was lunchtime, Blue Duck Winery makes their own pizza, and I requested one. I knew I couldn’t eat the entire pizza, so Adrian and Greg also enjoyed the pizza. They have been told they offer the best pizza in Cisco.

I enjoyed my visit to Blue Duck Winery and can definitely recommend you should visit when you’re in the Cisco area.