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.

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.

 

Bending Branch Winery wins first-ever Texas sustainable winegrowing competition

Left: Winemaker Greg Stokes; Center: Laura & Drew Tallent, Dr. Bob Young, Kathryn Cook, Tallent Vineyard Manager; Right: Tannat from Tallent Vineyards, Mason TX

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Botanical Research Institute of Texas recently announced the winners from the 2020 FWSSR / BRIT™ Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition. Top honors were awarded to Bending Branch Winery in Comfort, Texas, in combination with Tallent Vineyards of Mason, Texas. Nice Winery in Houston, Texas won the Grand Reserve Champion award in combination with Alta Mira Vineyards of Anderson, Texas.

The top winning wineries were awarded for their sustainable practices in the vineyard and other areas of operation in addition to the wines they submitted to a blind tasting. - Bending Branch 2018 Tannat Rosé, Texas Hill Country

The inaugural wine competition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo established a unique approach to a Texas wine competition by recognizing both the winery/winemaker and grape grower. Working with BRIT, wineries entered the competition by submitting written applications highlighting their sustainable practices, alongside their Texas wines for evaluation.

Subscribing to sustainable practices in a Texas vineyard presents many challenges. Nonetheless, Texas wineries embrace the quality results of sustainable practices and continue improving their programs. Applicants outlined their efforts boosting sustainability across five areas: vineyard management, winemaking, employee practices, customer service and social responsibility.

Texas wines submitted by applicants were judged by a panel of experienced wine professionals. The entries represented 12 different grape varieties plus wines blended from multiple grapes. The wide range of grape varieties demonstrates the diversity of Texas vineyards.

“Recognizing the collaborative efforts of grape growers and winemakers spurs innovation,” said Stock Show President and General Manager Brad Barnes. “The sustainability effort benefits our environment and consumers get to enjoy award-winning Texas wines. We’re excited to play a role in the future of this growing industry.”

BRITS’s President and Executive Director Dr. Ed Schneider echoed the excitement. “This is a first for Texas wine competitions and we are most pleased with the results,” said Dr. Schneider. “Texas wine organizations are as passionate about their sustainable practices as they are about making great bottles of Texas wine.”

The 2020 FWSSR / BRIT™ Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition winners included:

• Grand Champion – Bending Branch Winery / Tallent Vineyards

• Reserve Grand Champion – Nice Winery / Alta Mira Vineyards

• Gold Medal – Lost Draw Cellars / Moonlight Vineyards, Roussanne 2018

• Gold Medal – Kiepersol Winery/Estate Vineyards, Texas Syrah 2015

• Silver Medal – Bingham Family Vineyards/Estate Vineyards, Dugout 2017

• Bronze Medal – Chateau Wright/Estate Vineyards, Heraldic Red 2017

• Bronze Medal – Bull Lion Ranch & Vineyard/Estate Vineyards, Montepulciano 2015

During BRIT’s Vine to Table awards dinner and fundraising event on January 15, 2020, Bending Branch Winery and Nice winery will be presented their champion awards. Tickets can be purchased to the Dickies Arena event here.

Visitors to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo can enjoy a selection of Bending Branch wines at Vine-2-Wine’s Sip & Shop event on January 29, 4-8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Read more:

Dallas Morning News

Dallas Innovates (D Magazine)

Texas Wine Lover

Fort Worth Business Press

 

It's International Tempranillo Day!

Just outside of the West Texas community of Plains, you’ll find Newsom Vineyards – one of the oldest, most respected vineyards in Texas. In 1986, Neal Newsom and his family planted 5,000 vines on 5 acres. Today, the family has 148 bearing acres that produce nearly 400 tons of grapes annually. Many award-winning wines have been produced from Newsom’s grapes, and they were the first to plant Tempranillo in the state.

Tempranillo is one of the most widely planted grapes in the world, and the variety has emerged as a star in Texas. Bending Branch has produced Tempranillo every year since 2010, with the exception of vintage 2013. Unfortunately, late spring freezes wiped out the 2013 crop. Tempranillo is one of the most highly-awarded wines in the Bending Branch portfolio.

SPECIAL OFFER: In honor of International Tempranillo Day, receive complimentary shipping on three bottles or more of Bending Branch Tempranillo with coupon code TEMPRANILLO Thursday, November 14th through Sunday the 17th. ¡Viva Tempranillo!

 

2010 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards

Gold/Texas Reserve Class Champion – 2014 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!

Silver – 2013 Dallas Morning News/TEXSOM International

Silver – 2013 Lone Star International

 

2011 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards

Silver – 2014 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!

 

2012 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards

Gold – 2016 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!

Gold – 2015 Lone Star International

92 Points – 2016 Beverage Dynamics

85 Points – 2015 Wine Enthusiast

 

2014 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards

Double Gold/Best Texas Red – 2018 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

Silver/Texas Class Champion – 2018 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!

Silver – 2018 San Francisco Chronicle

Silver – 2017 Lone Star International

 

2015 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards

Gold – 2019 Houston Rodeo Uncorked!

Gold – 2019 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

Gold – 2019 Texas International

Silver – 2019 San Francisco Chronicle

 

2016 Tempranillo, Newsom Vineyards

Gold – 2020 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

Silver – 2019 San Francisco International

 

Harvest 2019 Update

Harvest 2019 is underway at Bending Branch Winery. We have received all of our grapes from the Hill Country, and now Texas High Plains fruit is starting to arrive by the ton.

Recent update from owner Dr. Robert W. Young: “Bending Branch Winery has harvested most of its grapes from the Texas Hill Country AVA, and central Texas. We received outstanding Tannat and Picpoul Blanc from Lost Pirogue Vineyards in Center Point, about eight miles from Bending Branch Winery. The fruit flavors and chemistries of both varietals were amazing.”

“Thus far, all the fruit has been high quality with yields varying by vineyard, but mostly increased from last year. We have also processed Malbec, Tempranillo, Barbera, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Montepulciano, and Grenache for the red varietals, and Viognier and Pinot Grigio for whites. Bending Branch Winery is expecting grapes from the Texas High Plains vineyards by end of August.”

Click here for Texas Wine Lover's harvest update from the wineries in the Texas Fine Wine group.