Opening alert

Texas chef uncorks inspired new food truck at Hill Country winery

What's the only thing better than sipping wine in a beautiful Hill Country setting? Sipping wine and feasting on chef-prepared bites.

With temps warming and spring springing, Wine for the People and C.L. Butaud are announcing an addition to their celebrated tasting room: Brucie, a new food truck from chef and owner Barclay Stratton. Beginning Friday, March 19, Brucie — described as "part Aussie brunch café, part 'cave a’Vin'" — will officially open at the Texas AVA Tasting Room with a menu of elevated, wine-friendly dishes.

According to a release, the dishes have been thoughtfully crafted to pair specifically with Randy Hester and Rae Wilson’s wines. The pair, who own C.L. Butaud and Wine for the People, respectively, opened their joint concept in December 2020 in the former Argus Cidery space at 12345 Pauls Valley Rd. in far West Austin

Brucie will operate the same hours as the tasting room, with a menu broken into three parts: Brunchy Things, Dîner, and Apéro, with dishes "designed to share or be eaten with your hands with the addition of a few larger plates."

The concept is the first solo project for Stratton, who spent time working in big-name restaurants in Austin and Nashville, and has also been chef de partie at New York City's famed Blue Hill.

A Beaumont native, Stratton uses his travels abroad as inspiration for the menu, which includes highlights such as Toad in a Hole with fondue and truffle honey; crab rangoon with burrata and a sweet and sour sauce; and a Gulf fish tostada with avocado, nori, and garlic, and more.

Patrons who book a wine tasting may also preorder a cheese and charcuterie plate, which is created with meats from The Salumeria, conveniently located next door. Plates will be rounded out with a rotating selection of cheeses, as well as snacks such as whipped ricotta and lardo served with fresh sourdough, notes a release.

For those who prefer to grab a snack and a glass wine to the full tasting experience, there will be a dedicated space especially for a casual bite near the trailer.

As part of the launch, Stratton has launched a Kickstarter to help make his dream a reality. As of press time, the project has raised more than $20,000 of its $25,000 goal.

Grilled romaine hearts.

Photo by Heather Gallagher

Grilled romaine hearts.

openings wine food-trucks

WINE NEWS

Fredericksburg winery uncorks new ranch-inspired tasting room

Photo courtesy of Formando Vineyards

Formando Vineyards will open its tasting room on October 1.

A new tasting room is giving Houstonians another reason to take a trip to the Hill Country. Formando Vineyards, a family owned winery shaped by six generations of Texas ranching, will open at 11835 N. State Highway 16 in Fredericksburg on October 1.

Ceci McBride and her nephew, Henry Johnson, founded the brand in 2019, choosing a name that paid homage to the vaquero traditions of the family’s Chaparrosa Ranch. The Spanish “formando” translates to “forming,” and the family likens the winemaking process to the care and patience ranchers use to develop a horse for riding.

All of the label’s fruit, sourced from select Hill Country growers and the family’s estate in Gillespie County, is painstakingly harvested by hand. The family says their goal is to leave the land better than they found it.

"We wanted Formando to feel inseparable from the land and our family's history," Johnson said in a release. "At the same time, we want guests to discover just how expressive and exciting Texas-grown wine can be."

"For six generations, our family has gathered around the land, the table and the traditions of ranch life," McBride added. "Formando is our opportunity to welcome people into that story."

Co-owners Ceci McBride (l) and Henry Johnson pose with wine club coordinator Estella Winton.Photo courtesy of Formando Vineyards

The portfolio includes whites like Picpoul Blanc and Grenache Blanc and reds like Sangiovese and Montepulciano. But the flagship blend is more personal. Harry's Red is named for McBride's late son and “honors the love, connection, and family memories that helped shape Formando.”

Guests can drop in to Formando to order wine by the glass and bites such as house-made focaccia, Texas charcuterie, sandwiches, and pizzas. But for the full experience, the winery recommends a guided tasting. The three options — red-only, mixed wines, and a food pairing — run 60-90 minutes.

The winery also offers the Señor Pico Wine Club, which has three membership tiers with benefits ranging from member discounts and first dibs on new releases to complimentary tastings and exclusive invitations to private events.

Following the debut, Formando’s tasting room will be open Thursday through Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. Reservations can be made online.

wine fredericksburg hill country tasting rooms openings