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.

Ursa Takes Over Branch on High

 

Starting July 11th, Ursa Vineyards is taking over Branch on High! Transport yourself to the Sierra Foothills, where Ursa exhibits the best of Northern California’s cool climate wines.

Ursa Vineyards was founded in 2001 by husband-and-wife team, Greg Stokes and Deborah Elissagaray. Greg and Deborah both started their winemaking careers in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and first met in 1992 while working at David Bruce Winery, where Greg headed up Grower Relations. Greg is a highly respected viticulturist and a consultant to numerous vineyards in California and other states. Deborah grew up spending her summers visiting family in the Pyrenees Mountain village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, where she gained an appreciation for her Basque heritage. The region inspired her work on the Basque Blend that bears her name and makes predominant use of the Tannat grape. The couple fell in love with Tannat, and they were the first to produce Tannat wines in California. They’ve been making Tannat from a variety of vineyard sources each year since establishing Ursa in the unique terroir of the Sierra Foothills in 2001.

A mutual interest in Tannat is also what brought together Ursa and Bending Branch Winery, when Bending Branch Owner Dr. Bob Young hired Greg as a consultant in 2007. Their professional relationship flourished and when Bending Branch was founded in 2009, its first wines were made by Bob and Greg at Ursa. Dr. Young purchased Ursa Vineyards in 2014, making Greg and Deborah a permanent part of the team.

Greg and Deborah were awarded Best Winemakers of El Dorado County in 2017. Their passion and dedication for producing limited quantities of the highest quality wines is unmatched. We are proud to showcase these beautiful wines at Branch on High in downtown Comfort, Texas. Ursa wines are also available in our online store.

Greg and Deborah will be in Texas for special events at Branch on High July 12-13, 2019. Meet the Winemakers at a free reception on Friday, July 12th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. A Guided Tasting with the Winemakers will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 13th. Tickets available here for $45 per person. Seating is limited.

When your travels take you to Northern California, visit Ursa Vineyards in Placerville. Tour and tastings are available by appointment by calling 530-644-3443.

2018 Tannat Rosé Release

Our 2018 Tannat Rosé sourced from Tallent Vineyards in Mason was awarded Best In Show Dry Rosé at the Great American International Wine Competition in Rochester, New York last month.

We will officially release this wine on Saturday, June 22nd. Join us from 1 to 5 p.m. for a special release party at Bending Branch Winery. Meet and mingle with owner Dr. Bob Young and Hill Country grape grower Drew Tallent and hear a short presentation about the vineyard and the wine at 1:30 p.m. Come on out and taste this amazing Hill Country rosé! German Imbiss food truck will be onsite all day.

90 Point rating from C.S. Vin:

“Medium bodied at 13% alcohol, this rosé will satisfy even the bold tastes of a drinker who craves power but is willing to go a little lighter to sample Tannat’s more refined flavors, too. Bending Branch has added to its flagship grape a version all will love when heat demands refreshment, but a wine whose bold taste won’t give up its demands.”

Read the full review here from Experiencing Wine.

Bending Branch Winery Estate Picpoul Blanc Release

9th Annual Derby Extravaganza

Something special happens at Bending Branch Winery the first Saturday of every May. Join us as we celebrate Dr. Bob and Brenda Young’s Kentucky roots at the 9th Annual Derby Extravaganza on Saturday, May 4th. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon at the beautiful Bending Branch Estate with live jazz, food, wine, hats, horses, and our famous Single Barrel Picpoul Blanc mint juleps. Tickets are on sale now! See full details at Eventbrite.