September Club Release - Sneak Peek Part 2

In addition to the new wine releases featuring Camp Lucy Vineyard, there are several other exciting wines included in the September club releases.

In the 1840 Red Club and 1840 Custom Case Club, you will find Bending Branch’s first release of Alicante Bouschet. This is a 2020 vintage from Newsom Vineyards, and it is very small production with only 91 cases bottled. This wine fits right in with Bending Branch’s bold style. Alicante Bouschet is a teinturier grape variety, meaning both its skin and flesh are red. Many grape varieties with dark skins accumulate anthocyanin pigments in the skin and not the flesh, but the teinturier grape varieties develop the pigments in both. You won’t want to miss this rich, luscious wine. A very limited quantity will also be available at the Paella Picnic.

Another grape with red skin and red flesh is Souzão. This grape variety originated in Portugal, and Dr. Bob Young pioneered the grape variety in Texas. The first planting was at the Bending Branch Estate Vineyard. The 2020 Estate Souzão from Lost Pirogue Vineyard in Center Point, Texas, is newly released to every club member in the September packages.

From the same vineyard, which under new ownership is now named Camledge Vineyard, comes the 2023 Estate Picpoul Blanc. In French, Picpoul literally translates to “lip stinger.” Picpoul Blanc’s high acidity makes a very crisp, food-friendly wine. This elegant Hill Country Picpoul Blanc is polished and balanced with a clean, layered finish. Floral aromas mingle with flavors of pear, Granny Smith apple, lemon zest, pineapple, and green melon. It is included in the Branch Mixed, 1840 Mixed, and 1840 Custom Case Clubs.

And finally, a wine club member favorite is Charbono from the Sierra Foothills of California. When Bending Branch first started and access to Texas grapes was limited, Dr. Bob would travel to California to make wine with Greg Stokes at Ursa Vineyards. The wine was made in California and then transported to Texas in barrels for final aging and bottling. Winemaker Greg Stokes continues the tradition with a few fan favorite wines, including Charbono. The 2020 vintage continues its legacy of quality and boasts rich black cherry with a hint of thyme. The 2020 Charbono is included in the 1840 Club packages. Charbono is another grape variety that Dr. Bob has pioneered in Texas, and Bending Branch’s first productive harvest came from Tallent Vineyards in Mason County last year.

Not only are new releases in the clubs, but there are great selections like 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2019 Petite Sirah from Newsom Vineyards that are included. You can see the full club list HERE.

Members will be able to taste many of these wines at the upcoming Paella Picnic. For details about the event, please check your emails. If you are not a member and want to join, we welcome you to do so online or by talking to a Bending Branch team member at the tasting room.

Sep 5, 2024 at 1:50 PM Permalink

September Club Release - Sneak Peek

It’s almost club release time! The Bending Branch team has been looking forward to the September club release for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons being that there are some great new wine releases in the packages.

I want to share information about three of the new wines since there is also a great opportunity in a couple of weeks to learn about the vineyard where the grapes were grown.

We’re excited to share that each club package will contain a bottle of 2020 Lucy’s Reserve red wine blend from Camp Lucy Vineyard. Bright and fruit-forward, the 2020 Lucy’s Reserve is a blend of Mourvèdre, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Notes of blackberry, rich raspberry, toasted pecan, and cranberry accent this wine’s lingering finish. It is very food friendly and can be paired with a wide variety of dishes, including spaghetti with meatballs, smoked pork loin, eggplant parmigiana, meat lovers’ pizza, chicken nachos, and more.

The 1840 Mixed Club also includes the 2020 Petit Verdot from Camp Lucy Vineyard. Petit Verdot has been shining in Texas, and this Hill Country Petit Verdot is no exception. The 2020 vintage is the first single-variety release of Petit Verdot from Camp Lucy, and the wine has great scents of rhubarb, violet, vanilla, and dried lavender. On the palate, you will find sage, blackberry, and marionberry jam. It’s an ideal pairing with coffee-crusted braised lamb or skirt steak grilled flatbread.

The 2020 Malbec from Camp Lucy Vineyard can be found in the 1840 Red package and it is also a selection for the 1840 Case Club package. Since 2018, Bending Branch has produced single-variety Malbec from Camp Lucy. Aromas of plum and tobacco open up to dark cherry, dried strawberry, sour cherry, watermelon, raspberry and cocoa on the palate. This wine will be a delightful complement to braised duck breast in a creamy mushroom sauce.

Since 2017, Bending Branch has worked with Camp Lucy to make wines from their extraordinary vineyard. The label design showcases an artist’s rendition of Ian’s Chapel at Camp Lucy. Ian’s Chapel is where many celebrations take place, and it is just one of the remarkable facilities at the beautiful Hill Country resort. 

Camp Lucy Vineyard Manager Robin Reeves expertly maintains five acres of vineyard planted with four grape varieties. You can learn more about the Camp Lucy Vineyard from Robin at a unique wine experience at Camp Lucy on September 12. Robin will lead an on-site vineyard tour where he will share insights about grape growing and working with Malbec, Mourvèdre, Montepulciano, and Petit Verdot. The evening will include a wine tasting and dinner amidst the vines. I’m looking forward to attending this event and sharing information with guests about how the wines were made and more. It will be a special evening to enjoy wine in the vineyard where the wine’s grapes were grown as part of an exceptional dinner. TICKETS

If you want to enhance your time in Dripping Springs, you can further immerse yourself in the Camp Lucy experience by staying the night at the beautiful Camp Lucy resort. Guests of the dinner may enjoy exclusive lodging rates by using the discount code “FLASH.”

Aug 29, 2024 at 2:19 PM Permalink

New release alert: 2018 Estate Tannat

It's here! The first release of Estate Tannat from Lost Pirogue Vineyard has arrived. Owners Bruce and Jana Colgate impeccably farm a 3-acre vineyard in Center Point that includes an acre dedicated to Tannat. The other two varieties planted, Picpoul Blanc and Souzão, have already seen their first wine releases with Bending Branch.

Tannat is Bending Branch Winery's signature red grape variety, and we've been highly anticipating the release of this special estate wine that was crafted from Lost Pirogue Vineyard's hand-harvested grapes.

The 2018 Estate Tannat is an elegant expression of skillful grape growing and artful winemaking. With notes of smoky dark berries, cinnamon, and clove, this wine will pair beautifully with your favorite cut of steak.

Also available starting today is the new release 2020 Estate Picpoul Blanc, the third vintage of elegant Picpoul Blanc from Lost Pirogue. The 2020 Estate Picpoul was fermented and aged in barrel, broadening the palate and adding complexity. Floral aromas mingle with pear, grapefruit, and creamy apricot in this spring sipper.

If dining with friends, either of these wines are sure to spark conversations about excellent Texas wine. Cheers to you, and bravo to the Colgates and the Bending Branch winemaking team!

Beautiful Tannat clusters from Lost Pirogue Vineyard

Apr 2, 2021 at 10:17 AM Permalink

Ursa Vineyards Releasing Angelica Wine Soon

Ursa Vineyards is set to release Angelica wine with the November 2020 Gold Rush Club release.

Angelica is a fortified dessert wine made from the Mission grape. The Mission grape was introduced to California in 1778 and was the primary wine grape for nearly a century. Angelica was originally made by Franciscan missionaries, and it was also a regular beverage of the gold miners during the Gold Rush.
 
Today, Angelica is known as one of California’s most historic wines. It is extremely rare with a very limited number of vintners producing it. The process of making the wine includes partially fermenting the grape juice before fortifying it with brandy. Angelica typically ages for at least five years in barrel before it is bottled. The long aging process is one of the keys to its rich taste.
 
The grapes from Ursa’s Angelica come from Rinaldi Vineyard, one of the oldest vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, and one of the few vineyards still growing Mission grapes. Original plantings in the vineyard date back to 1865. After crushing the grapes, the fermentation was barely started and then it was fortified with brandy. After aging in barrel for seven years, the 2013 Ursa Angelica was bottled.
 
With a taste as rich as its history, the 2013 Ursa Angelica is one to savor and share, especially during the holiday season. It can be enjoyed for up to a month after opening, if stored properly in the refrigerator. Ideal food pairings include toasted pecans or Italian cream cake. For a simple dessert, try drizzling Angelica on top of vanilla ice cream.

Purchase Angelica

Nov 2, 2020 at 7:00 AM Permalink

Need bubbles for Valentine’s Day?

Perfect for a romantic evening with your sweetheart ...

We recently released Bending Branch Brut, and our fans are raving about it. Dry, with brilliant acidity and creamy mousse, this spectacular sparkling wine exhibits flavors of crisp Golden Delicious apple, Meyer lemon zest, and toasted brioche.

What is Méthode Champenoise?

It is a time-honored French method of making sparkling wine in which it undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. This laborious, artisanal method results in the highest caliber of sparkling wines.

Available now in the estate tasting room, Ursa at Branch on High, and online. $36/bottle

Click here to purchase Bending Branch Brut.

Feb 10, 2020 at 2:39 PM Permalink