Would it surprise you to discover that many people consider Texas Wine Country to be the “new” Napa Valley of the Southwest?
Because wineries appear all around Texas wine country, you won’t find a central wine tourism “village” like the city of Napa or nearby Yountville.
Visitors come from all over the world to visit Texas wine country.
Yet you will find several wineries in Texas wine country who open their doors to wine lovers living in nearby Houston, Austin, and Dallas. And increasingly, the wineries welcome visitors from other regions in the USA and even abroad.
Texas Wine Country: William Chris Vineyards
William Chris Vineyards serve as an excellent example of the “new” model in Texas Wine Country.
In 2008, Chris Brundrett and William “Bill” Blackmon maxed out their credit cards and created their winery, now a Texas wine country icon.
Both founders worked in the Texas wine country industry for many years. They had a passion for the terroir of Texas and knew the region could make world class wine that could rival many “Old World” (i.e. European) wine regions.
William Chris Vineyards produces Old World wine
In fact, the state of Texas is roughly the same size as France. And Texas, like France, is characterized by a diversity of soil and climatic conditions.
Story of the Founders
Bill Blackmon and his father worked as cotton and grain farmers. Bill saw the ‘Texas wine country’ boom ahead and convinced his father they should get into grape growing.
Chris Brundrett also saw the potential of the Texas wine country boom. He had spent years in the Texas wine industry and had long been an advocate for wine made from 100% Texas-grown fruit and terroir.
Chris also mastered the skills of a savvy salesperson by working as both a server and door-to-door knife sales agent to put himself through school.
William Chris Vineyard’s Skeleton Key Brand in Texas Wine Country
When the partners set about turning a century-old house on their new property into the winery tasting room, they discovered an old skeleton key.
That key became both the name and symbol of their first wine, a red blend made from Aglianico, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah from 3 vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ruby Cabernet, and Tanant.
…then they discovered an old skeleton key.
Today William Chris Vineyards makes many diverse styles of wine, from mostly Mediterranean grapes. They farm 40 acres in three different vineyards in Texas. The partners package their wines in traditional glass bottles, but sell their popular William Chris Vineyards Sway rosé in aluminum cans.
The wines can be purchased at the winery or online.
Texas Wine Country Vineyards
Both partners pride themselves on old-fashioned Texas wine country hospitality. The focal point of the winery is that hundred-year farmhouse, now the tasting room, where they found the skeleton key.
From the start, the partners put tremendous effort into two key areas: finding the best land for vineyards, and creating a welcoming ambiance for wine loving visitors. Creating a “welcoming ambiance” means hiring well-educated, friendly ambassadors of the winery to serve and explain the wines.
…well-trained ambassadors for the brand.
During normal times, their Texas wine country tasting room buzzes with activity. At the same time, their dining room typically serves multi-course wine pairing meals to members of their elite wine club, Hye Society.
Visitors could also enjoy complimentary music events on the property. For their most devoted fans, the partners also created day trip visits to their single vineyard sites.
Even during Covid restrictions, the partners tried to keep the party going with virtual happy hour wine tastings. Some of them happened poolside, with the partners or the wine education director taking questions from inquisitive fans.
beautiful view from the winery dining room.
Visitors questioned about the winery are complimentary about the well-trained staff and the beautiful grounds. The new dining room offers views of the 400-year oak grove. The winery also offers many musical and other events.
Recently, Wine Enthusiast magazine listed Chris Brundrett in its “40 under 40” edition–possibly because of his charm, good looks, and success of the William Chris Vineyards brand. The partners look forward to seeking new opportunities and engaging with wine enthusiasts from Texas and around the world.
Tasting the well-crafted, precise wines and seeing the quality of Texas wine country renders this a region we will all see more of in the future.
If you go, be certain to make reservations in advance. The tasting room is by “reservation only” to ensure that enough staff is present to give guests the attention they deserve.
More Wines of the Southwest
William Chris winery has been around for over a decade. New wineries are still opening or breaking down in the Texas wine country.
One of the newest is Sibony Cellars, owned by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona.
This winery is on the Texas Hill Country Wine Road 290 corridor and has plans to build a full production winery, tasting room and vineyards near Johnson City.
In addition to Texas wine country, you can find exciting wine regions in New Mexico and Arizona. Be certain to click here and check out the Forbes.com article speaking more about the William Chris winery and other excellent wineries in the Southwest.
