FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS (September 21, 2020) — Texas winery and full-service custom crush facility Slate Mill Wine Collective and cooking and date night experts, Couple in the Kitchen, have partnered to introduce Date Night Wines. The initial release curated by Couple in the Kitchen includes Date Night White and Rosé wines made with 100 percent Texas grown grapes. Proceeds from the sale of the wine will benefit Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation.
In addition to operating as a winery, Slate Mill Wine Collective is helping launch the next generation of Texas wine pioneers by providing other wine producers the ability to craft wines in its on-site custom crush facility, while also offering vineyard services, custom wine making, and custom label creation. For custom label clients like Couple in the Kitchen, Slate Mill Wine Collective matches flavor profiles of the wines it produces with the specifications provided, as well as tailor-made artwork to create truly unique wines.
“Couple in the Kitchen is well-known for their excellent date night tips and amazing food and wine recommendations,” says Kate Shelley, director of sales at Slate Mill Wine Collective. “After learning about our custom crush and custom label programs, they approached us with the idea of creating a line of Date Night wines specifically for them. Our winemaker, Josh Fritsche, the winemaking team, and I helped them evaluate several wines until we came up with the perfect fit for them. For the next vintage, Couple in the Kitchen is already planning to be more hands-on in the winemaking process with Josh for their signature wines”
Couple in the Kitchen Date Night Wines
Date Night White — Bring romance to your everyday with this crisp, yet balanced Viognier. It is perfect for a picnic in the park or a date night dinner right off the grill. Enjoy the perfumed aromatic nose of jasmine and lush flavors of candied lemon and white peach, with a rich mouth feel. The sumptuous body of the 2018 Viognier made with grapes grown in the Texas High Plains makes it an excellent wine to pair with most cuisines, like poultry or mildly spicy Thai food.
Date Night Rosé — This full-bodied Bordeaux-style Rosé is the perfect addition to your date night, even on the hottest of days. Made with a blend of Texas-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Petite Verdot, the Date Night Rosé has a rich mouthfeel and layered body. Notes of cherry and strawberry and wet slate minerality balance with racy acidity, all which pair wonderfully with simple or the boldest of recipes.
“We have been deeply involved with the restaurant community since launching Couple in the Kitchen in 2015,” says Gavin Booth, co-founder and president of Couple in the Kitchen. “We are extremely troubled by the economic crisis that restaurant workers are facing caused by the pandemic and we were eager to help. The opportunity to create custom wines with Slate Mill Wine Collective to help raise money for restaurant workers was immediately appealing. We’re excited to introduce these delicious wines for couples to enjoy on their date night, and to help give back to this vital community.”
Couple in the Kitchen Date Night White and Rosé wines are available at the Slate Mill Wine Collective tasting room, and at select restaurants in Texas including Jacoby’s Restaurant & Mercantile, Lucky Robot Japanese Kitchen, and Toss Pizzeria and Pub. The suggested retail price is $28 for Date Night White and $24 for Date Night Rosé.
Couple in the Kitchen and Slate Mill are donating $3 from every bottle sale to the 0% interest loans for restaurants provided by Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation (RWCF) COVID19 Emergency Relief Fund. RWCF is an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers in 2018. It established its Restaurant Workers COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund on Sunday, March 15, just as governors across the United States were publicly contemplating forced shutdowns of the hospitality industry. Funds raised during this crisis will be allocated for direct crisis relief to individual restaurant workers. RWCG is partnering with Southern Smoke Foundation to distribute our direct crisis assistance funds.
About Slate Mill Wine Collective
Experience a piece of Texas history with unparalleled hospitality, education and pioneering spirit. Founded as “1851 Vineyards” in 2016, the winery was named for the Pioneer Flour Mills which was built and established on the grounds in the year 1851. The original barn, main house, guest house and smokehouse that remain today, serve as a Texas Historical Landmark. In 2019 the Jones family purchased 1851 Vineyards and transitioned it from a stand-alone winery to a winery incubator. With the new business model, additional vineyard acreage, expanded production facilities, and a remodeled tasting room, the winery was relaunched as Slate Mill Wine Collective in 2020. The Slate Mill Wine Collective team is dedicated to producing the finest wines possible and offering a custom crush experience like no other. Connect with Slate Mill Wine Collective on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
