Hamilton Pool Vineyards & Farm

Before the recent Hill Country Wine Symposium, I made a point to visit some Texas wineries I have not yet visited. One of those was Hamilton Pool Vineyards & Farms.

I knew how to get to Hamilton Pool Vineyards & Farms because it was the former location of Westcave Cellars. After driving through the entrance, I drove through the estate vineyard and arrived at the house and tasting room. So far, it looked similar to the previous winery, but when I entered the tasting room, all things changed. The new tasting room was almost the entire size of the tasting room building and was built for many people to enjoy the wines of Hamilton Pool Vineyards.

I was the only one in the tasting room on an early Saturday and I met Sam Jett. I learned Sam was the farmer for Hamilton Pool Vineyards & Farm whereas the other person I had previously communicated with was Brian Scipione who handles the sommelier side of the business. Brian was at a farmer’s market representing Hamilton Pool Vineyards when I visited.

Hamilton Pool wants to be known for much more than just a vineyard and wines which is why the farm side was added. The culture they want to create is very important and they are connecting with nature and the outside by partnering with yoga businesses and holistic retreats.

Sam is a landscape designer and farmer and handles the farm side which means gardening and farming at the estate. He teaches education sessions about farming to children along with life skills including sustainability. Farm tours are given and can be reserved on the Hamilton Pool Vineyards & Farm website. The business has planted small fruit trees, so eventually there will be fruit wines on the farm too.

I told Sam I would like to do a tasting. This is what I tasted on the day I visited:

2022 Bella Vita Organic Pinot Grigio – Italy
Love Magick (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel)
2022 Cerasuolo Aglianico (between a rosé and red wine) – The Austin Winery. Was served chilled.
2021 Bella Vita Montepulciano – Italy
2019 Gold Buckle Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Blend (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre), sweet, Medal winner at 2022 Wine, Arts & Craft Brew Festival wine competition

Some of the wines are made by Texas Custom Wine Works. It was not clear which wines were made from the estate vineyard. During the tasting I learned there is not a specific owner, but a private ownership group who owns Hamilton Pool Vineyards & Farm.

Besides people coming to the tasting room to buy wines, they can also come to pick up farm products. These can be ordered from the website, and while I was there, a person came in to pick up their products.