Texas Grape Harvest Is Almost Over
The Texas grape harvest is winding down for 2026. Although the quantity is greatly reduced due to last Spring’s late freezes across Texas, the quality of the grapes is amazingly exceptional. The grape harvest started early and will end early. Kristen Hansen with Torr Na Lochs Vineyards and Winery near Burnett in the Texas Hill Country told me on August 25th, “We harvested 4.75 tons each from our Syrah and Malbec blocks. That brings our total 9.5 tons harvested so far. We’ll be harvesting our last block, Petite Syrah, tomorrow. Our harvest season has gone smoothly so far.” The weather has been cooperative this Summer allowing the grapes to ripen and be harvested without intrusive rains. I predict that Texas wineries will be increasing the number of Double Gold Medals and “Best of Class” in wine competitions in years to come.
Winemaking is an art and so are beautiful wine labels. Have you dreamed of having your artwork on a wine label? William Chris Winery in the Texas Hill Country is calling on artists to submit their artwork for consideration to be on their wine labels. This concept of placing art on a Texas wine label started in 2010, when Mary Ruth Blackmon — mother of William Chris co-founder Bill (Willliam) Blackmon — designed the label for the very first Artist Blend. Every vintage since has carried a different artist’s original work. Submissions for the 2026 competition are open from Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM Texas Hill County local time. The William Chris Winery team will narrow down the top submissions and then the winery’s Hye Society Wine Club members get to vote on the submissions at the winery’s November wine club release parties on Sunday, November 15 and Sunday, November 22. The winner will be privately notified before the end of the year and will be publicly announced in March 2027, being the first look at the final label on our 2025 Vintage of Artist Blend. For wine competition rules, go to the William Chris Winery website.
Stout’s Signature at Grape Creek Vineyards recently landed on Wine Enthusiast’s list of the “Best Winery Restaurants in the World.” Stout’s Signature is the only Texas restaurant to be on Wine Enthusiast’s “Best Winery Restaurants in the World” List, along with restaurants located at wineries in Napa, Tuscany, and the Douro Valley. Stout’s Signature is a hidden gem and is historically reserved for Grape Creek wine club members. To celebrate the honor, they’re opening a limited number of Friday and Saturday evening dinner reservations to the public for the first time ever, giving people outside the wine club a rare opportunity to dine in this prestigious restaurant. The restaurant is known for estate-driven Texas Hill Country cooking, from tenderloin bolognese and signature meatballs to a Sunday brunch regarded as one of the best in the Texas Hill Country. Celebrate the best of Texas wines at Stout’s Signature at Grape Creek Vineyards, near Fredericksburg.
