A Sunny Saturday at Solaro

It is hard to beat Austin in March.  The Mountain Laurels, with their grape scented clusters, are in full bloom.  The landscape is painted with every green you can imagine.  The sky, cerulean and vast, illuminates the rebirth.  It is almost criminal to stay inside.  So when my parents offered us a date this past weekend, there was only one thing on my mind- a Hill Country Winery.

There are several wineries within a thirty minute drive of Austin, and I have hit most of them, but I was looking for a new adventure.  My husband and I decided it was time to hit Solaro Estate in Dripping Springs. 

This winery is truly a labor of love.  The family has incorporated the Old World traditions from their family winery in Solaro, Italy.  The wines are produced using only grapes grown in Texas.   Some are grown on their 160 acres, others are purchased from the Texas vineyards that have the most favorable conditions for the particular varietal.  The family is directly involved in every step, from picking the grapes to hand racking the wines.  Jessica, our host for the tasting, educates the guests and pushes the button to cork the bottles on bottling day.  The dedication and love are reflected in the wines.

We began our tasting with a Montage Blanc (70% Viognier, 20% unoaked Chardonnay, 5% Muscat Canelli, %5 Chenin Blanc).  Honeysuckle nose, medium body, well-balanced.  Soft peach and floral with a clean finish.  A great sipping wine.  Our next white was Arancia, a dry orange muscat.  Big flavor in front.  Think orange creamsicle with out the sugar.  Since I prefer dry wines in general, I really liked this take on what is typically a sweeter wine.  This wine received a Silver medal in the Finger Lakes Competition.  In fact, of the six wines Solaro submitted, four medaled in the competition.

We transitioned to reds in a big way.  The 2010 Mourvèdre is big.  There is nothing “young” tasting about this wine.  Cherry, vanilla, earthy nose.  Soft, round, cherry, and plum with rustic heft.  Then we had the Lisse, which means smooth.  The blending of 40% Merlot with the Mourvèdre changed it up.  It added surprising tart qualities (in a good way) and a long finish which inspired the name.

Sangiovese does well when grown in limestone so it is a natural fit in Texas.  As with the other red wines at Solaro, it is unfiltered, a beautiful ruby-red.  Bright, silky, Strawberry spice.  The Tempranillo was incredibly smooth.  Soil and spice and everything nice; it developed with each sip.  Solaro also does a Bordorosso, an even blend of Merlot and Tempranillo which is held for 27 months in French Oak.  Rich fruit and chocolate.  The Merlot brought out even more spice in the Tempranillo.

Finally, the pièce de résistance: Cheval 5.  Solaro is home to five Thouroughbred horses, thus the name of this winner.  A blend of Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Barbera, and Ruby Cabernet.  (If you are, as I was, unfamiliar with Ruby Cabernet, take the time to read up on it.  An interesting hybrid.)  Raspberry and rhubarb on the nose.  A brilliant red.  Fruit in the front, huge in the mid-palate, and an incredibly smooth finish.  An amazing wine.  If you are lucky enough to spend a Saturday at Solaro, you can sample this beauty by the glass at a great discount while listening to their music series.  This wine alone is worth the visit.

I love being “wowed” by Texas wines. I love seeing family-run wineries excel at what they are doing.  I love when the people at a winery add to the charm of the experience.  Solaro Estate exceeded my expectations in each of these areas and was an all around delight.  A perfect way to get outside and spend a spring afternoon near Austin.   With the impending release of the Barbera, I think we will be heading west again soon.

Let’s Get it Started

This past weekend, I started 2012 off right.  By “right,” I mean with two fabulous women at a winery on a warm winter day.  We ventured out to Driftwood Winery to get some quality time and take a moment to sit back and catch our collective breath after the chaos of the holidays.

If you have not had the privilege of spending a day out at the winery, I highly recommend it.  It is seated atop a hill country bluff, overlooking the vineyard, surrounded by live oaks.  If you time it right, the lighting at sunset is spectacular.  The winter here in the hill country is a bit of a misnomer most of the time.  It is not uncommon to have a dry, breezy 65 degree day.  Days like this are the reason we suffer through the summer.  They beg for a picnic basket, friends, and a bottle of wine.

We have several up and coming wineries in central Texas, but one of my favorites is Driftwood Winery.  Unpretentious attitude, several tasty varietals, and there is no shortage of chairs, tables, and open grass upon which to lay a blanket.  I learned after the first visit to come prepared with cheese, crackers, and various sundries to nosh upon while swirling a glass of their finest.  Seriously, you won’t want to leave until the sun fades behind the hills, ushering in a good breeze across the valley.

Now, let’s talk wine.  It is, after all, why we head out there.  For $5.00, you can choose any 5 wines to taste.  This past weekend, there were thirteen to choose from:3 dry whites, 5 dry reds, 2 dry red reserves, 2 wines from a Paso Robles sister vineyard, and 5 sweet wines.  My sister and I chose 5 different ones so we could tasty more.  Aren’t we tricky?  Fortunately for us (not for her), our friend was doing a fast and abstaining (WHAT??) so we had a chauffeur.

My perennial favorites remained the winners in my book.  They make a fantastic Viognier.  This visit they were pouring a 2010 ($18.00) which we both liked enough to share a bottle.  Round, apricot/peach with a touch of brightness.  It is my favorite white varietal anyway, and I really like their’s.  My other favorite used to be called Super Texan, but another local vineyard bought the rights to that name, so now they have to call it, simply, Sangiovese ($18.00).    It is 76% of its namesake, 8% each of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah- a Hill Country cousin to an Italian Super Tuscan.  The B&E Red Rhythm (35.00) was also  really nice.  It is a Merlot, Cab, Syrah blend that won Double Gold Best of Class Judges Choice in San Fransisco.  My sister brought home a bottle of that for her husband.  He’s a good guy. She’s a great gal.

Many people are surprised that we grow wine in Texas.  We do.  And some of it is pretty darn good.  In fact, we Texans (can I call myself that now after 16 yrs?) had a big hand in saving the French wine industry.  Oui, oui.  So if you live here in the Hill Country, and you haven’t been out to Driftwood, grab someone (and some cheese) you love and head out for a wonderful afternoon.  If you aren’t lucky enough to call the Hill Country home, come visit.  Just not in August.  I’ll happily take you out for the day.  The tour is gratis, although I do accept tips in the form of vino.  Cheers, y’all.