Pearl Farmers Market Resumes on Saturdays in June

We are excited to be back at the Pearl Farmers Market starting this Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the month of June, Pearl will have the Market on Saturdays only and transition to opening Saturdays and Sundays in July.

The Pearl is moving the location of the Market for the month of June to ensure that there is space for physical distancing, and to create a safe environment for vendors and customers. The new location will be in the parking lot behind Green Vegetarian at the intersection of Emma Koehler and Karnes. Bending Branch Winery will be in the breezeway near the parking lot.

At this time, we are not able to sell beverages for immediate consumption. That means no tastings or glasses for sale, but you can pick up a bottle or two of your favorite Texas wine to take home and enjoy. Please note we will only be accepting credit cards for payment at the Market (no cash at this time).

On our bottle menu for June is:

• 2019 Estate Picpoul Blanc
• 2019 Frizzante Rosé
• 2016 Mourvèdre
• 2017 Texas Tannat

We will have a limited number of grab-and-go packages available as well. For at least the next two weekends, we will feature a trio package of 2016 vintage wines from Newsom Vineyards: Tempranillo, Malbec, and Petite Sirah.

In addition, you can now place an order through our website and choose Pearl as a pick-up location. Orders must be placed by noon on the Friday before the Market.

Please see the Pearl’s COVID-19 response and Farmers Market Pledge below. We look forward to seeing you there!

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Pearl supports all its partners and the decisions they make on when and how to reopen their businesses. To ensure that our community remains as safe as possible, we’ve asked all business partners to commit to operating in accordance with city and state mandates. For more information visit: atpearl.com/covid19.

FARMERS MARKET PLEDGE

VENDORS

• Vendors will wear masks
• Make hand sanitizer/hand washing stations available to employees and guests
• Vendors will handle all products; guests are asked to point to product and avoid touching
• Post the Pearl Pledge in high traffic areas to remind everyone of best hygiene practices

GUESTS

• Please approach Farmers Market like you would a grocery store:
• Wear a mask
• Maintain at least six feet distance from individuals not in your household
• While shopping, refrain from consuming food and drink
• Wash or sanitize hands upon entering the market area and between vendor interactions
• For the time being, leave furry friend(s) at home

#SipAndStaySafeTX

 

 

May Curbside Pick-up Specials

During this time of social distancing, great food and wine are especially appreciated. Each weekend in May, Bending Branch will feature a unique wine-and-food care package, partnering with our friends at The Bread Box, San Antonio. Each package includes Bending Branch wine, plus foods designed to feed the body and nurture the soul.

PRE-ORDER & PICK-UP ONLY. Receive your order on the designated days using contactless curbside pick-up at the Bending Branch tasting room from noon to 5 p.m.

Please order by 6 p.m. on the deadline day for each special. Wine Club discounts apply! Click here to see our weekly curbside specials:

 

Curbside Chicken Pot Pie, May 16-17

Deadline to order May 13 | Curbside pickup at winery May 16-17

A bottle each of 2018 Vermentino and 2016 Mourvèdre, plus a 9” deep-dish chicken pot pie for 4 to 6 people, prepared by The Bread Box. Defrost, heat, and eat.

$85 (Club pricing: $68 1840/$72.25 Branch)

 

Curbside American Apple Pie, May 23-24

Deadline to order May 20 | Curbside pickup at winery May 23-24

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with a bottle of Branch Texas White, plus a 9” deep-dish fresh apple pie prepared by The Bread Box.

$45 (Club pricing: $36 1840/$38.25 Branch)

 

Curbside Shepherd’s Pie, May 30-31

Deadline to order May 27 | Curbside pickup at winery May 30-31

A bottle each of 2017 Texas Tannat® and Thinkers Blend, plus a 9” deep-dish southwest beef Shepherd's Pie for 4 to 6 people, and 6 Parker House rolls prepared by The Bread Box. Defrost, heat, and eat.

$80 (Club pricing: $64 1840/$68 Branch)

 

Reminder: The Bending Branch tasting room is open for curbside service only at this time, seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. Order online or call ahead to 830-995-2948 to place your order.

Mother's Day is May 10th.

Mother's Day is right around the corner. Join the Bending Branch team for Virtual Happy Hour: Cheers to Mom! this Friday on Zoom. Treat the special lady in your life to a wine package from Bending Branch Winery or Ursa Vineyards.

Get it three easy ways:
1. Curbside pick-up
2. Complimentary UPS shipping to 30+ states
3. Weekend delivery by a tasting room team member

Some restrictions apply. See each package for details.

 

Mother's Day Brunch Curbside Special

This delicious package includes a blueberry streusel sour cream loaf made by The Bread Box, a dozen free-range eggs, and 2 bottles Branch Texas Frizzante Rosé.

ONLY available for curbside pick-up May 9-10 at Bending Branch Winery.

$65 (Club discounts apply.)
PRE-ORDER by May 6 and specify Pickup at Bending Branch at checkout.

 

Bending Branch Premium Red Package

Impress Mom with a 3-pack of premium Bending Branch wines:

2014 Estate Cuvée
2014 Tannat EM
2016 Malbec

$115 ($149 retail, no additional discounts) order
Available for curbside pick-up at Bending Branch Winery, local delivery (50 mile radius), or complimentary shipping via UPS.

Bonus gift: Choose curbside or local delivery by our staff, and we'll add 4 chocolate truffles from Sweet Comfort!

 

Mom's Ursa Sampler

Cover all your bases with a 6-bottle sampler from Ursa Vineyards, our winery in the Sierra Foothills:

2018 Viognier
2018 Tannat Rosé
2014 Barbera
2014 Syrah-Sirah
2014 Tannat
2016 Zinfandel

$125 ($165 retail, no additional discounts) order
Available for curbside pick-up at Ursa at Branch on High, local delivery (50 mile radius), or complimentary shipping via UPS.

 

Cheers to Mom Happy Hour Package

Say "Cheers to Mom" during our Bending Branch Virtual Happy Hour on Friday, May 8th. Enjoy four wines with the Bending Branch team - 2018 Vermentino, 2019 Frizzante Rosé, 2017 Double Barrel Tannat, and 2014 Brenda's Cuvée.

$100 ($120 retail, no additional discounts) order
Available for curbside pick-up at Bending Branch Winery, local delivery (50 mile radius), or complimentary shipping via UPS.

Follow the Virtual Happy Hour: Cheers to Mom! event on Facebook.

Fiesta medals are here!

Our 2020 Fiesta medals have arrived! Fiesta San Antonio is a tradition that many would be celebrating right now with numerous parties, events, and parades, but the festivities have been moved to November because of COVID-19. Despite this, many Fiesta diehards are still celebrating at home this April. #FiestaAtHome

Fiesta originated in 1891 with a Battle of Flowers parade to salute the heroes of the Alamo and battle of San Jacinto. Fiesta has taken place every year except for 1918 during World War I, and 1942 through 1945 during the Second World War.

This is Bending Branch Winery’s third year to create a Fiesta medal, and all proceeds go to a local charity. As in 2019, this year’s recipient will be the Boys & Girls Club of Comfort. Their mission is to empower all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as responsible, caring, and productive citizens.

Fiesta medals are $10 each and available online or for curbside pick-up at Bending Branch Winery and Ursa at Branch on High. Shipping is available. Get yours today, and help support the mission of this important local nonprofit organization. ¡Viva Fiesta!

Dr. Bob Young presents a check to Chastity Valdes, Branch Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Comfort from 2019 Fiesta medal sales.

VIDEO: April Update from Dr. Bob

It’s been nearly a month since COVID-19 changed our lives and our operations here at Bending Branch Winery. A pandemic of this magnitude is like nothing in our lifetime.

We remain diligent in increasing our precautionary measures for the safety of our employees, members, and customers. We’re using our ozone machine to sanitize work areas. Production continues with ample distance and limiting the number of our people in work areas. We’ve ordered protective masks for our team to wear, and we will use face shields and gloves when bottling resumes. We will also be using UV surface sterilizers with safety glasses throughout our operations.

Our tasting rooms remain closed except for touchless curbside pick-up, which has been expanded to 7 days a week. You can also order online and have wine shipped directly to you in 30+ states.

We urge all of you to continue to be diligent in social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks if you have to leave your house. These are necessary measures to slow the spread.

Stay safe, and thank you all for supporting Bending Branch Winery.

April Delivery Special

Through the end of April, take advantage of wine delivery by our tasting room team and receive a bottle of Thinkers Red Blend ($20 value) or Thinkers Blanc ($15 value) for only $1.

How does it work?

• Deliveries are scheduled for Tuesdays and Fridays
• Delivery area within a 50-mile radius of Comfort
• Minimum $100 order
• $20 flat gratuity fee added to all orders

This offer applies to all new orders of Bending Branch and Ursa wines.

Please call 830-995-2948 to place your order and arrange delivery.

Bending Branch Winery and Ursa at Branch on High are now open seven days a week for curbside service from noon to 5 p.m.

April Virtual Happy Hour Schedule

Join the Bending Branch team on Zoom from 4 to 5 p.m. every Friday in April for Virtual Happy Hour. Let's reconnect during this time of social distancing!

How to join: https://zoom.us/j/915590130
You may need to download the Zoom app on your device. Please try logging in around 3:45 p.m. if you have not used Zoom before.

April 3 – Virtual Wine Club Release Happy Hour

We will celebrate the April wine club release virtually, since we can't be together.
Bending Branch team members will feature the new release wines from the April club:

• 2018 Vermentino, Carneros (Bill Fore)
• 2019 Estate Picpoul Blanc, Lost Pirogue Vineyard (Jennifer McInnis)
• 2016 Charbono, Zentner Vineyard (Jennifer Cernosek)
• 2014 Tannat EM, Bella Collina Vineyards (Dr. Bob Young)

Not a wine club member? Don't have these wines? That's OK ... just open whatever you have! After all, this is all about being with our friends at this time of social distancing.

 

April 10 – Good FRIzzante Happy Hour

This week we will celebrate bubbles and feature one of our favorites for spring: Branch Texas Frizzante Rosé. Click here to follow the Facebook event.

 

April 17 – Malbec World Day Virtual Happy Hour

April 17th is Malbec World Day, so we will feature 2016 Malbec, Newsom Vineyards. Click here to follow the Facebook event.

 

April 24 – Fiesta Flavors Virtual Happy Hour

We'll feature 2017 Texas Tannat and 2016 Tempranillo during this Fiesta-themed happy hour. Click here to follow the Facebook event.

If you don’t have the wines we’re featuring each week, just open whatever you have. So, get your glasses ready, and we’ll see you on Zoom at 4 p.m. every Friday. We look forward to seeing your faces!

April Curbside Pick-up Specials

During this time of social distancing, great food and wine are especially appreciated. Each weekend in April, Bending Branch will feature a unique wine-and-food care package, partnering with our friends at The Bread Box, San Antonio. Each package includes two bottles of Bending Branch wine, plus foods designed to feed the body and nurture the soul.

PRE-ORDER & PICK-UP ONLY. Consider shopping for an isolated neighbor, too. Receive your order on the designated days using touchless curbside pickup at the Bending Branch tasting room from noon to 5 p.m.

Please order by 6 p.m. on the deadline day for each special. Wine Club discounts apply! Click here to see our weekly curbside specials:

 

Bending Branch Basics, April 4-5

Deadline to order April 2 | Curbside pickup at winery April 4-5

A bottle each of Thinkers Blend and Thinkers Blanc, a dozen free-range organic eggs, and a loaf of fresh sourdough bread from The Bread Box.

$40 ($32 1840 Members/$34 Branch Members)

 

Easter Weekend Brunch, April 10-11

Deadline to order April 8 | Curbside pickup at winery April 10-11 (closed Easter Sunday, April 12)

Two bottles of Bending Branch Frizzante Rosé, a dozen free-range organic eggs, and a dozen fresh hot cross buns from The Bread Box.

$55 ($44 1840 Members/$46.75 Branch Members)

 

Comfort in a Pie, April 18-19

Deadline to order April 15 | Curbside pickup at winery April 18-19

A bottle each of 2017 Texas Tannat and 2016 Petite Sirah, Newsom Vineyards, plus a 9”, deep-dish, beef pot pie for four to six people, prepared by The Bread Box. Defrost, heat, and eat. And drink.

$90 ($72 1840 Members/$76.50 Branch Members)

 

Fiesta Flavors, April 25-26

Deadline to order April 22 | Curbside pickup at winery April 25-26

One bottle each of 2017 Texas Tannat and 2016 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards, plus, in honor of Fiesta San Antonio, savory picadillo for four (frozen) with fresh flour tortillas from The Bread Box.

$80 ($64 1840 Members/$68 Branch Members)

 

Reminder: The Bending Branch tasting room is open for curbside delivery only at this time, Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Order online or call ahead to 830-995-2948 to place your order.

Local wine delivery available

We are missing you. Typically, we see so many of you regularly to exchange hugs and stay up to date on what you’re up to. We are cooking up some ways to stay in touch virtually until we can all squeeze each other tight again. Please continue to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and read our blog, as we are frequently updating.

Members of our tasting room team are available to deliver orders of $100 or more to Comfort, Center Point, Boerne, Fair Oaks, and Kerrville.

Call the tasting room to place an order — 830-995-2948. We will schedule a delivery time, process the order, and add a 20% gratuity that will go to the team members fulfilling and delivering the orders. 

You will recieve a call when one person from our team arrives to let you know we are delivering to your porch. The team member will return to their vehicle and wait to visibly confirm receipt — laws are laws and wine is alcohol. We’ll mark the order as picked up.

No touch is necessary — only a wave to say howdy and virtual hugs for now.

Thank you for supporting Bending Branch Winery during this stressful time.

Sincerely,
Jennifer McInnis Fadel
General Manager

VIDEO: Important April wine club update

Dear Bending Branch Winery Club Members,

For efficiency and safety for all concerned, we will cover the cost of shipping for the entire April wine release to all members. Even if you typically pick up your club, we will ship it. Even if you live in Comfort – we will ship it.

It is absolutely imperative that you log in to your account to make sure we have your correct shipping address. All wine selections, address changes, and credit card updates must be completed by March 26th. If you normally ship to a business address, please make sure we should still ship to that address. We want you to get your wine!

***The deadline to make changes is March 26th.***

UPDATE FROM UPS:

Many people are asking the same question: is it safe to receive and handle a shipment?

The WHO and CDC have stated that the likelihood of catching the COVID-19 virus by touching cardboard or other another shipping container is low. CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS FROM UPS
 

FAQs

When will my credit card be charged?
Credit cards will still be processed on Saturday, March 28th.

When will I get my wine?
Your April wines will be shipped from our fulfillment center on March 31st. As always, an adult must be present to sign for the package.

What else do I need to know?
The April 5th release party has been cancelled, and we have updated our tasting room hours and service. Until further notice, Bending Branch Winery estate tasting room will be closed for tastings. However, we will be open for curbside service from noon to 5 p.m. March 19-22 for call-ahead and online orders.

Email club@bendingbranchwinery.com you have additional questions that are not addressed here or in the email you received.

Please check your email for more details and continue to monitor our Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as the Bending Branch blog on our website for our most current information.

Enjoy the wines in your April release in good health, knowing that we will be together again as soon as we can.

Jennifer McInnis Fadel
General Manager