GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
Award-winning Texas winery uncorks new Hill Country tasting room
Reddy Wines recently opened a tasting room in the Texas Hill Country.
A family-owned and operated northwest Texas winery with a nearly 30-year legacy has uncorked a new location in the Hill Country. Reddy Wines' new Stonewall tasting room, a short drive from Fredericksburg, debuted on March 4 in the former site of Cicada Cellars, joining the region's 100-plus popular wineries.
Reddy Wines dates back to 1997 when India native Vijay Reddy and his wife, Subada, began applying their long-established farming skills and business knowledge toward developing vineyards in Brownfield, near Lubbock. Vijay and Subada's son Akhil Reddy, now CEO at Reddy Wines, says his father earned a doctorate in soil and plant science. The achievement was key to his parents building a business that helped farmers get the most out of their crops.
"Eighty-five percent of the wine grapes in Texas are grown near our vineyard in the Texas High Plains due to the specific climate," Reddy says. "High elevation, low humidity, extremely cold winters, diurnal swings, winds, and much more contribute to the excellent quality of the wine grapes that come out of the Texas High Plains. These climate factors are similar to the great growing regions of the world."
The Reddys formally launched an on-site wine program in 2015 and officially opened the winery at their 400-acre vineyard ranch in West Texas in 2018. The vineyards cultivate over 38 varieties of wine grapes, producing about 50,000 bottles yearly.
The first harvest resulted in a gold medal-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, among other honors. According to Reddy, the wines are made more complex by the weather familiar to locals in the Lubbock area, such as high winds, dust storms, hailstorms, and heat spikes.
"The growth here is extraordinary and with merit. This era in Texas wine is similar to how Napa Valley was in the 1960s, and we have international recognition of our excellent wine," Reddy said.
New Hill Country winery
Reddy says the family has been eager to join the dozens of other famed wineries north of San Antonio and west of Austin. The Hill Country American Viticultural Area is the nation's third-largest AVA, covering 9 million acres and hosting more than 100 wineries, according to industry advocacy group Texas Hill Country Wineries.
The new Reddy Vineyards tasting room, marked by a playful logo featuring a bobcat riding a motorcycle, serves five distinct tasting experiences. The tasting room also offers indoor and outdoor seating shaded by oak trees. There is a members-only lounge and a private area for corporate events, retreats, or larger group gatherings.
While sipping the signature varietals, guests may snack on small bites of local cheeses, meats, fruit, nuts, vegetables, and other charcuterie items. The tasting room team plans to partner with local chefs during special events.
The tasting room at 14746 US-290 in Stonewall is open 11 am-5:30 pm, Thursday-Monday. Oenophiles can book tastings in advance, but walk-ins are welcome. Reddy plans to schedule a grand opening in April.
Travelers who can handle the heat can spend some time by the rooftop pool at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa.Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
