Spring has arrived, wildflowers are in bloom, and that means it’s time for one of the Lone Star State’s most popular wine festivals – the Rootstock Texas Wine Festival. Founded in 2016, this year commemorated the tenth anniversary of Rootstock, but the eighth occurrence due to a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021. And each year the festival just gets even more enjoyable.
This year’s festival took place on Saturday, March 28th, at the Earle Harrison House and Pepe Gardens in downtown Waco, Texas. This five-acre site, dating back to 1858 and restored in 1970, features expansive gardens and two historic Greek-Revival mansions, providing an ideal backdrop for the event. Favorable weather conditions, with overcast skies and mild temperatures, further contributed to an enjoyable atmosphere for attendees to stroll the gardens, visit with friends, and taste amazing Texas wines.
Tickets this year were limited to 700 in order to provide a more pleasant experience for all. Each ticket included 15 wine tastings, a branded Rootstock wine glass, a quality bottle opener, and wine tote bags. Non-drinkers or designated drivers were admitted for a minimal charge, while youth under 21 were free when accompanied by an adult.
This year’s festival celebrated Texas wines made from varietals that are native to France. Participating wineries showcased wines crafted from grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Picpoul, Chardonnay, and more. Throughout the garden, booths were set up for the following twelve Texas wineries.
- Elisa Christopher Wines
- Farmhouse Vineyards
- Hye Meadow Winery
- Kalasi Cellars
- Messina Hof Winery
- Michael Ros Winery
- Pedernales Cellars
- Peters Prairie Vineyard
- Portree Cellars
- Sandy Road Vineyards
- Solaro Estate Winery
- Valley Mills Vineyards
In keeping with the French theme, guests also had an opportunity to enjoy gourmet offerings from the following local chefs:
- L’Atelier Fromager offering a variety of cheeses,
- Saveurs La Boulangerie with traditional French baked goods,
- Chef Blaine Peper serving Boeuf Bourguignon,
- And the ever-popular Cousin’s Maine Lobster serving lobster rolls.
And what wine festival would be complete without music? La Dolce Vita Swing Collective and the Frank Exum Band provided relaxing background music with a French twist to entertain guests as they roamed the gardens and enjoyed their favorite wines.
This year’s festival offered a unique experience – an educational seminar hosted by Kelsey Kramer, Director of Education at the Hill Country Wine Academy, where four winemakers led participants in tasting and contrasting a Texas wine with its comparable French varietal. Bryan Chagoly began the session by presenting a Sandy Road Vineyards Chardonnay made with grapes from Dell Valley Vineyards, alongside a Chablis for comparison. Next, Janet Miertschin introduced a Portree Mourvèdre from Buena Suerte Vineyards, comparing it to a Mourvèdre from Provence’s Bandol region. Elisa Jones followed with an Elisa Christopher Merlot sourced from Paka Family Vineyards, set against a Merlot blend from Pomerol. To wrap up, Kelsey showcased a William Chris Vineyards Tannat, contrasting it with a Tannat from the Madiran region in southwest France. These side-by-side comparisons were an excellent demonstration of how “place” impacts the sensory experience of a wine.
Rootstock remains a highly anticipated annual event and is well worth attending. Plans are already underway for the 2027 festival. Rumor is that it may feature Italian varietals as its central theme! Be sure to watch for further details on the festival’s official website and social media channels.
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