The Rhône Rangers are coming to the Texas Hill Country on April 6th. Who are the Rhône Rangers? It is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting American Rhône varietal wines. These are wines made from grapes found in the Rhône Valley wine region of France which includes 22 grape varieties. Red varietals are commonly Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan while white varietals are grapes such as Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. We know Texas wineries use all these varietals to make award-winning Texas wines.
History
The Rhône Rangers emerged in the 1980s when a group of pioneering California winemakers began promoting Rhône grape varieties. At the time, the American wine industry was dominated by Bordeaux and Burgundy grapes, but these winemakers saw potential in the Rhône varietals, which thrived in California’s diverse terroirs. Their early efforts helped to popularize these wines and establish a dedicated following.
In 1998, the Rhône Rangers became an official nonprofit organization focused on educating consumers and advancing the presence of American Rhône wines. Through tastings, seminars, and industry events the organization helped cement the reputation of Rhône varietals in the U.S. Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Sonoma emerged as key regions for Rhône-style winemaking, with notable producers like Tablas Creek Vineyard leading the charge.
Today, the Rhône Rangers continue their mission by promoting Rhône-style wines across the U.S., supporting winemakers, and expanding awareness of these unique varieties. For a wine to qualify as a “Rhône Rangers” wine, the winery must be a member of the organization and 75% of the wine’s content must include one or more of the twenty-two traditional Rhône grape varieties as approved by the French government for the wines of the Côtes du Rhône (including Petite Sirah/Durif). The organization has nearly 120 member wineries across the country–California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Michigan, and Virginia–with over 14 Texas wineries.
Texas Hill Country Events
There will be two Rhône Rangers events both taking place on April 6, 2025, in the Texas Hill Country.
Rhône Wine Seminar
A seminar will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Halter Ranch Texas featuring six Texas Rhône Rangers winemakers from:
- Becker Vineyards
- Bending Branch Winery
- French Connection Wines
- Halter Ranch Texas
- McPherson Cellars
- William Chris Vineyards
The one-hour panel discussion will be a tasting of wines from those wineries led by Rhône Rangers President Larry Schaffer. Lunch at Halter Ranch Texas will follow the tasting. More information on this event can be found on the Rhône Rangers website event page including purchasing tickets.
Rhône Rangers Tasting
A tasting of Rhône Rangers wines from over 30 wineries will take place at William Chris Vineyards from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wineries from Texas, California, and Oregon will be present pouring their wines, and small bites will be available paired with the wines. These are the wineries scheduled to appear:
Texas Rhone Rangers
- Ab Astris Winery
- Adega Vino
- Arché
- Becker Vineyards
- Bending Branch Winery
- Duchman Family Winery
- Farmhouse Vineyards
- French Connection Wines
- Halter Ranch Texas
- Hawk’s Shadow Winery
- Lewis Wines
- Lost Draw at Johnson City
- McPherson Cellars
- Pedernales Cellars
- Ron Yates Wines / Spicewood Vineyards
- Sandy Road Vineyards
- Serrano Wine
- Tatum Cellars
- William Chris Vineyards
Oregon Rhone Rangers
- Troon Vineyard
California Rhone Rangers
- Alta Colina
- Caliza Winery
- Clementine Carter
- Cline Family Cellars
- Halter Ranch
- J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
- Lindquist Family Wines
- Ridge Vineyards
- Story of Soil
- Tablas Creek Vineyard
- Tercero Wines
- Terre Rouge
- Zaca Mesa
More information can be found on the Rhône Rangers website event page including purchasing tickets.
These are two events that you will not want to miss, so order your tickets today.
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