Although not as established of a wine region as the Hill Country or the Red River Valley, the Texas Gulf Coast is home to a burgeoning wine scene and some of the state’s most enchanting vintners.
Enjoy the bouquet at Braman Winery
Even though the winery’s owners have deep South Texas roots, Braman Winery has recently expanded to the greater Houston area with the opening of its new Richmond tasting room. Whether you visit Richmond or the original Braman tasting room in Refugio, you’ll want to try Braman’s lighthearted “Sparkles” line, billed as the “liquid exclamation point for any occasion,” or the “Fringe Benefits” line, which takes a “no snobs allowed” approach. Learn more at www.bramanwine.com. The Refugio tasting room is located at 102 E. Ymbacion St. and the Richmond location at 3333 FM 359.
Indulge yourself at Max’s Wine Dive
When you want to pair some tasty grub with your favorite sip, Max’s Wine Dive at 4720 Washington Ave. in Houston is the place to go. The Max’s Wine Dive mantra is “Fried chicken and champagne? Why the hell not?" The Dive is also renowned for the red velvet pancakes it serves during Sunday brunch. Learn more and review the extensive wine list at www.maxswinedive.com/houston/index.php.
Enjoy the harvest at Haak Vineyards & Winery
The first and only winery in Galveston County, Haak Vineyards & Winery, offers tours that include tastings of seven wines. Haak’s 2010 Estate Reserve Blanc du Bois was yielded entirely from the winery’s Santa Fe vineyard. The winery is open seven days a week; find more information about tours at www.haakwine.com. The winery’s address is 6310 Ave. T, Santa Fe.
Please your palate at Piney Woods Country Wines
Located in Orange along Interstate 10 between Houston and Baton Rouge, Piney Woods Country Winery and Vineyard is one of Texas’ most established vintners. The winery was first licensed in 1985 and specializes in Muscandine grape and fruit wines. Owner Alfred J. Flies has been honored by the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association for his contributions to the Texas wine industry. The winery is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Learn more at www.pineywoodswines.com, and visit the winery at 3408 Willow Dr. in Orange.
Taste Texas at Yepez Vineyard
The story of Yepez Vineyard begins in 2005, when a group of family and friends worked together to plant more than 400 blanc du bois and black Spanish grape plants on one acre of a 20-acre tract in Baytown. In 2010, the Yepez family added an olive grove. Visit the Yepez Vineyard for tastings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Learn more at www.yepezvineyard.com. The vineyard’s address is 12739 FM 2354 in Baytown.
As you can see, now’s the time to start losing yourself in the bouquet and aroma of the Texas Gulf Coast wine scene.
