Thanksgiving message from Dr. Bob Young

Holiday greetings from Bending Branch! We have so much to be thankful for. It has been a busy summer and fall, and we're anticipating the delights that the holiday season brings. I would like to share with you some recent Bending Branch activities.

Harvest

Bending Branch's first fruit was harvested on July 10, and its last grapes for the season arrived on October 17, making the 2023 vintage our largest harvest to date. More than 570 tons of grapes were processed by our top-notch team.

Sponsored events in San Antonio

Bending Branch was the official wine sponsor of the San Antonio International Team Tennis Competition held at the Freeman Coliseum November 10-12. These championships benefit children from Compton to Kyiv and throughout the State of Texas through the Bush ACE Outreach Program, SA Sports I-Play and the charitable work of the participating athletes including the Bryan Brothers Foundation and the John Isner Foundation. We enjoyed watching Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Kim Cljisters, Gael Monfils, JJ Wolf, and Bob & Mike Bryan, to name a few. Bending Branch wines were featured at concession stands and at the Bending Branch Baseline VIP Lounge.

The Bush ACE Outreach Program sponsored tennis rackets for Boys and Girls Club of Comfort students participating in a week-long tennis clinic held at the Bending Branch tennis court this summer.

We were also pleased to sponsor Culinaria's Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival event held October 27-29. Bending Branch showcased wines and bourbons, including the 3-barrel bourbon blend selected by the Culinaria team. Additionally, as part of the Grand Tasting event, I held a seminar called, "Pushing, Pioneering, Taking Chances." The beneficiary of the festival proceeds is the James Beard Foundation with $250,000 committed to support culinary students in Texas. 

Bending Branch was able to host a limited number of club members at the San Antonio International Team Tennis Competition events and at Culinaria's Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival. Thanks to the members who joined us.

14-Year-Old Bourbon Release

On October 27th, we released the highly-anticipated Bending Branch 1840 14-year-old Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey at at an exclusive event held at our home. Our daughter, Master Blender Alison Young, and I selected a barrel that she named “The Traveler” because of its unique history. It was distilled and aged 7 years in Indiana, and then aged 7 more years in Napa Valley. It further aged several months in Kentucky and landed in Texas for its final aging and bottling.

Chosen for its depth of character, this bourbon has been referred to as a unicorn in the world of whiskey by one of Kentucky bourbon’s most expert figures. The beautiful packaging includes a leather label crafted in Argentina. There are less than 100 bottles of this rare High Rye bourbon. It is only available for purchase at the Bending Branch Estate tasting room. The Traveler is barrel strength at 143 proof and retails for $525 per bottle.

Holiday wishes

My wife Brenda and I, along with the entire Bending Branch Team, are grateful for the support and friendship of club members. We are thankful for all of you. May you enjoy a holiday season filled with good friends, dear family, and incredible wines and bourbons.

–Bob Young, M.D., MPH
CEO and Executive Winemaker