I know these wine videos don’t appeal to every reader, but I have a soft spot in my heart for wine makers in Texas. Twelve years ago I found myself standing in a barn outside of McKinney with some folks from the Texas Agriculture Department and a handful of area farmers. The Agriculture Department was touring the state and encouraging farmers to consider grapes as a cash crop. Many “seasoned” farmers scratched their heads and snickered–they’d never heard such heresy. Most of them went back to their fields and planted whatever crop fit their comfort level. However, a few took the challenge and now successfully grow and sell grapes.
Texas has a long way to go in the grape growing business. Currently there are only about 4,000 acres dedicated to grapes. But the farmers who have devoted themselves to the task are producing some marvelous raw product.
I say all of this because after watching these videos produced by Andrew Chalk, I fell for Gabe Parker of Homestead Winery in Invanhoe, Texas. I love the deft touch of his hands as they move through the grapes. I adore his Texas accent that flowers his explanation of the ancient wine making process of fermentation taking place on the High Plains, AVA Tempranillo grapes.
Gabe slays me again when he compares and contrasts the process with his Cabernet.
