To Foil or Not to Foil

We’re often assessing all elements of our business, and wine packaging is part of the assessment. Many club members and customers have noticed that some newly released wines no longer have foil capsules.

This is an increasing trend in the industry, as the original purpose of protecting the cork from undesirable conditions is no longer as relevant in today’s conditions. In fact, the foil now serves primarily an ornamental function. Our decision to only use capsules in rare instances moving forward is another step in sustainable winery practices. The elimination of foils means less waste in landfills, better use of personnel time, and superior wine value.

Another benefit of eliminating the capsule is that there is one less step to a great pour of quality wine landing in your glass. Farewell to foils, and cheers to you for supporting sustainable endeavors!

Virtual Wine Tasting for a Cause

Bending Branch Winery is teaming up with Love Not Lost for an October 14th virtual fundraising event. Love Not Lost is on a mission to revolutionize the way we heal in grief. They do this through their photography program, community support program, and corporate care program.

Their photography program was inspired by Founder and Executive Director Ashley Jones’s personal experience. Ashley’s daughter Skylar faced a terminal illness and died at 21 months of age. The photographs that Ashley has from two professional sessions with her daughter continue to offer tangible comfort. Ashley has donated photography sessions for people facing terminal diagnoses since her experience. She says, “Not only do I hope to pay it forward, but I hope to change the way we look at grief and suffering so that we can love people better and bring healing through loss.”

CLICK HERE to read about Ashley’s story in greater detail. Photo of Skylar by Tessa Marie Photography for The Jones Family.

Ashley was introduced to Bending Branch Winery when she met Bending Branch’s General Manager, Jennifer McInnis Fadel. Jennifer was touched by Ashley and Love Not Lost because of her own grief journey, and she also knew there would be synergy between Love Not Lost and Bending Branch.

Bending Branch Winery Co-owners and Founders Dr. Robert W. and Brenda Young face their own grief from the loss of a child. Their son Phillip died in a car accident at the age of 18. It’s not something that they talk about often, but they continually do good deeds in their son’s memory through a trust in his honor.

Ashley and the Young Family share a connection to Atlanta. Love Not Lost is based in Atlanta, and Dr. Bob spent 16 years in Atlanta managing Meridian Medical Group practice. Also, along with a few other physicians in the United States, he developed a new specialty in inpatient medicine called Hospitalist at Eagle Hospital Physicians.

Like many nonprofit organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability to fundraise, so virtually bringing together two inspiring business founders – Dr. Bob of Bending Branch and Ashley of Love Not Lost – seemed like a winning combination to impact good.

Participants of the virtual tasting will be guided through tasting three Bending Branch wines while hearing engaging conversations and stories. Participants will also receive a charcuterie package.

CLICK HERE For more information and to purchase the package. Please place your order by September 22.

I’m very moved by the Love Not Lost mission and look forward to October 14.

We grieve deeply because we love deeply, and that love is never lost. – Ashley Jones, Love Not Lost Founder

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

Looking for a creative Valentine’s Day gift?

Book a live virtual wine and chocolate tasting on Valentine’s Day, and enjoy premium wine and chocolates from the comfort of your home. Not just for sweethearts, this experience works for long-distance family members, friends looking for a Galentine’s Day excursion, singles looking for a group event, and more.

What’s included?

3 bottles of wine

Enjoy three premium bottles of Ursa Vineyards wines – 2018 Grenache (750 ml), 2017 Petite Sirah (750 ml), and 2015 Souzão Port-style wine (375 ml). The Port-style Souzão was just released and is a dessert wine aged in bourbon barrels.

8 chocolate truffles infused with wine

Local confectioner Sweet Comfort infused dark chocolate with wines from Ursa Vineyards. Includes 2 Grenache-infused truffles, 2 Petite Sirah-infused truffles, and 4 Souzão-infused truffles.

Guided virtual tasting on Zoom

Our wine professionals will lead the group of participants through tasting each wine and pairing the wines with the specially curated box of chocolates. The Zoom link and instructions will be emailed to participants prior to the tasting event.

Two times available: 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 14th

Package is $125. Gold Rush Club pricing applies ($100). All package orders are eligible for $10 promotional shipping. Choose your time and purchase HERE.

Valentine’s Day is almost here! If your package needs to be shipped, timing is getting tight. If ordering to ship to a Texas location, we recommend submitting by 10 a.m. on February 10th. If ordering to ship to another state, please contact us at club@ursavineyards.com to verify shipping time.

You can also pick up your package from Ursa at Branch on High, located in historic downtown Comfort. In fact, if you prefer to wait until the last minute, Ursa at Branch on High will be open until 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13th. Cheers!

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

Celebrate California Wine Month with Ursa Vineyards

September is California Wine Month! It's a busy time for California wine producers and growers with harvest in full swing on the West Coast. 

Very exclusive Malbec for Case Club members

We are excited to release the first vintage of a very special, small production wine – 2017 Malbec Reserve, Cherokee Rose Vineyard, Texas Hill Country. This wine is available exclusively to Case Club members.  

Farmed by the Durden family, Cherokee Rose Vineyard is a small, single-variety vineyard in Comfort, Texas. Grower and Kendall County Commissioner Don Durden and Bending Branch Winemaker Dr. Bob Young have been longtime friends and served together as board members on the Comfort Area Foundation.

Several years ago, Dr. Young approached Commissioner Durden about growing Tannat for Bending Branch. Durden agreed and purchased Tannat vines, but was later notified from the nursery that there weren't any Tannat vines to send. So after more deliberation, Commissioner Durden planted Malbec. 

If Dr. Young's first love is Tannat, his second may be Malbec. The first productive harvest of Cherokee Rose Vineyard was in 2017 – the best harvest year on record in Texas. All of the Malbec went into two barrels, one neutral and one new American.

During tasting trials, the Bending Branch team was very pleased with this Malbec. The Malbec in the new American oak barrel from the A.P. John Copperage was superior, though, and deserved it's own stage. From that moment, the team began working on a new label and planning its future as a Reserve wine. With only 23 cases produced, 5 cases would be preserved in the library, and the remaining cases would be allocated for the 1840 Custom Case Club.

So what happened to the other barrel? After the wine was bottled, it sold out in one transaction. Commissioner Durden secured it all.

The 2017 Malbec Reserve from Cherokee Rose Vineyard is laced with scents of cigar box and mint. There are concentrated flavors of pie cherries, red plum, and dark chocolate. It was recently described as having a taste of mushroom umami. The new American oak lends complex spice and vanilla.

Want to try it? Join the 1840 Custom Case Club and include it in your September release order.

I tasted it during the trial that led to its reserve label and again a couple of weeks ago. All I can say is that I've already included it my 1840 Custom Case Club order. 

What we're drinking

 

Our staff has the advantage of getting to know Bending Branch wines really well. Read what some of our team members are enjoying right now. Comment to tell us your favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured: Sara, Dr. Bob Young, Kim, Stephen, and Sami (Photo credit: Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News)

Robert W. Young, M.D., Owner and Winemaker:
I’m drinking the 2012 Reserve Petite Sirah from Shell Creek Vineyards because it is tasting so incredibly good right now. It is bursting with black fruits and it has just the right integration of American oak.

Terri, Tasting Room Associate:
Normally, I would choose a red but it's HOT out there, so my favorite to drink right now is the 2018 Tannat Rosé, Tallent Vineyards. Here's why: It’s a great summer wine for those, like me, who typically enjoy a rich, full-bodied red. The initial burst of ripe strawberry flows smoothly into a lush, slightly nutty finish resulting in a rosé that is refreshing and robust at the same time. I love to drink it ice cold by the pool and with my favorite summer foods like brisket, barbecued chicken, and potato salad.

Jim, Tasting Room Associate:
My favorite wine is the Tannat RF|EM from Bella Collina Vineyards. It’s not the wine to drink outside on a hot day, but if you grill a good steak in the evening and are dining inside in the A/C, this silky smooth Tannat will enhance the steak. 

Stephen, Senior Tasting Room Associate and Wine Educator:
I'm enjoying the 2013 Tannat from Silvaspoons Vineyard. It manages to be both fruity and earthy. One of our best kept secrets.

Will, Tasting Room Associate:
My favorite wine to drink right now is the 2018 Estate Picpoul Blanc from Lost Pirogue Vineyard. The green melon notes, minerality, and crisp finish pairs well with one of my favorite summer dishes, pan seared lemon pepper trout. It is also exciting that we are able to source such quality fruit from just down the road in Center Point in the Texas Hill Country AVA.

Tom, Tasting Room Associate:
2014 Old Vine Petite Sirah from Shell Creek Vineyards is our hands down favorite for pairing with duck and lamb (and occasional venison) dinners at home. Alone, it is rich in aroma, intense in flavor, and balanced in tannins. The deep color and viscosity make for a beautiful glass of wine. It has a nose spanning both savory and bakery spices, combined with dark fruit flavors and a hint of figs. On the table, it compliments a range of our game and lamb recipes, and its lingering finish outlasts those often bold meat flavors.

Kim, Tasting Room Associate:
I'm a true Chardonnay fan, and for that reason I love our 2016 Comfortage! This 100% Roussanne variety is in the Chardonnay family and is aged in American oak barrels. The soft floral and fruit notes go down easily on a hot summer day.

Kelly, Tasting Room Associate:
One of my favorites is still our 2015 Malbec from Newsom Vineyards. I love the caramel on the nose and how surprisingly smooth and elegant it is. I love the fruit/cherry finish, and it’s one I’ll always go for – even in the summer. And on a really hot day, I’m loving the 2018 Estate Picpoul Blanc from Lost Pirogue Vineyards. It is light and refreshing, zingy but balanced – the colder the better!

Sami, Tasting Room Manager:
My favorite wine to drink right now is 2016 Texas Tannat®. It has so much big, bold fruit and flavor that I find myself having a hard time putting the glass down. I recommend drinking it with dinner in the A/C!

Amy, Tasting Room Associate:
My favorite Bending Branch wine changes often and it is so hard to have one favorite, but right now it is our 2016 Texas Tannat®. It’s very bold yet smooth and has an exquisite taste. It is definitely one that I encourage everyone to try.

Sara, Executive Marketing Coordinator:
I have many favorites, so it’s hard to pick just one. I’m enjoying Estate Picpoul Blanc and Tannat Rosé on hot days, but bold reds are my true love. The 2015 Petite Sirah from our friends at Newsom Vineyards is spectacular. Full-bodied and fruit-forward with deep, inky color, this wine is just luscious! It’s no surprise that it brought home Double Gold from the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. Better hurry, there is not much of this vintage left.

 

All of these wines are available on our website. Be sure to stop by one of our tasting rooms and chat with the staff about your favorites!