When participating in the Wine & Charm Bracelets event for the Texas Independence Wine Trail. I was familiar with Rohan Meadery, but this event gave me the opportunity (and challenge) of visiting the other local wineries of this trail.
Blissful Folly Farm/Rohan Meadery
This one is a favorite of mine, mostly due to the fact that they make mead, a honey-based wine. They usually have live music to enjoy on the outdoor patio and a variety of adorable honey and bee-related merchandise.
Blue Mule Wines
This charming little winery is tucked away on a small farm in Fayetteville, TX. There were cute little signs everywhere and they actually sold hand-woven goods made from alpaca wool, of which they had a few llamas and alpacas on the property. The wines were a little on the sweet side for me, but the owners were pleasant and made us feel at home.
Busted Oak Cellars
This winery had just recently been added to the Texas Independence Wine Trail and was not yet participating in events. I did not have a chance to visit this location, but I’ll be sure to update this post when I do.
Cast Iron Winery
Right off of I-10 between Columbus and Houston, you’ll find this moderate winery in a small shed in the field. The inside was cozy, the wines were good, and the outdoor seating was inviting. There was even a set of cornhole tables and bean bags to play with while you drank.
Majek Vineyard and Winery
This location is one of the best ones if you are looking to support local farmers and artisans. They had a variety of pickled goods, meats, jellies & honey, and even some artisan soaps and lotions created by a local couple out of Bryan, TX. I was able to sample a few of these when I ordered the charcuterie platter for a snack to go along with my wine.
Piper’s Creek Vineyard
This small, 3-acre vineyard tucked away in the backroads of Columbus, TX (my hometown) is unfortunately no longer open. When I visited, I was told elaborate stories of the owner’s escapades and about the rich history of the family. I sampled a couple of wines and even took home a bottle of red that had lovely smoky notes. With its close proximity to my childhood home, I am truly saddened to see that it did not survive the troublesome times of Covid-19.
Rosemary’s Vineyard
If you were driving too fast on Hwy. 71, you might miss the little building that is Rosemary’s Vineyard. Known for being “Fayette County’s first little winery” this quaint space offered a variety of reds and whites, including a Lenoir and Blanc du Bois, two of the most readily available varietals in Texas. Being from a small town not too far away, I even ran into an old high school classmate of mine.
San Ducerro Winery
This winery looks to no longer be a part of the Texas Independence Wine Trail, but it was when I visited and was the first location where I acquired a charm for my bracelet. There were sprawling fields out in the countryside and the Sangiovese was my favorite, with its pepper finish. Along with having a variety of wines, they also carried a handful of different dry tobacco flavors. While I do not smoke, I do occasionally enjoy the musty smells of a pipe.
Whistling Duck Winery
When pulling up to Whistling Duck, it was bustling with life as friends and family gathered around wine while listening to the live music that was playing. The atmosphere was buzzing and everyone was very friendly. As it turns out, they were hosting their Wine Club pickup party and had an assortment of snacks that day as well. I was not a Wine Club member, but they allowed me to some food anyway as I enjoyed my tastings.
Since this excursion, I have only had the opportunity to return to Rohan Meadery. They have since added cider to their menu along with opening La Grange Brewing on the same site. There also appears to be a new winery among those listed on the Texas Independence Wine Trail – U BAR Wines. As we near spring, and the bluebonnets are in bloom, I’m making plans to participate in another event so that I can discover new wines and revisit old favorites.
Cheers!
