June 15th – When you think of winemaking, Texas might not be the first place that pops into your head. With scorching summers and a seemingly inhospitable climate, skeptics often dismiss the Lone Star State as unsuitable for growing grapes. But Kelsey Kramer, the Director of Education and a certified WSET educator at William Chris Vineyards is here to challenge that misconception.
Below, Kelsey dives into some common myths about Texas wine and why it’s actually top-notch in quality.
Myth #1: It’s too hot to grow grapes in Texas.
Contrary to popular belief, excessive heat isn’t the main problem for wineries in Texas. In fact, all grapes need sunlight and warmth to ripen properly. The real challenge lies in the cold. Frost poses a significant threat to Texas vineyards, hindering the ripening process and slowing down grape development. However, through careful planning and the cultivation of suitable grape varieties, William Chris Vineyards has found effective strategies to overcome these challenges. Varietals like Mourvèdre and Syrah have proven to be resilient, thriving under the Texan sun while gracefully enduring the occasional frost.
Myth #2: Texas wine is sweet.
While it’s true that Texas has a long history of producing sweet wines, especially from native grape species, the state’s wine scene has entered into a modern era of winemaking. As consumer palates evolve and demand a wider range of wine styles, they recognize the importance of diversifying their offerings and producing wines that cater to the tastes of today’s wine enthusiasts.
Myth #3: Texas wine tastes like California wine.
At first glance, you might assume that Texas wine resembles its Californian counterpart, but the reality is quite different. Instead of trying to imitate the bold characteristics of the warm West Coast, Texas winemakers have embraced their unique identity. Drawing inspiration from European winemaking traditions, affectionately referred to as ‘Old World’ styles, Texan wines produce an elegance and complexity rooted in their distinct terroir. The soils thrive with Mediterranean, Spanish, and Southern French grape varieties, producing wines that showcase minerality, restraint, and rustic characteristics.
William Chris Vineyards stands as a shining example that challenges the myths surrounding Texas wine. This trailblazing winery has emerged as a true champion, securing its place among the world’s best. Their recognition as the first and only Texas winery ranked in the esteemed World’s Best Vineyards awards at number 56, speaks volumes about their unwavering dedication and the undeniable quality of their wines. This achievement shows how Texas wine can rival even the best in the world, shattering the preconceived notion that Texas, with its challenging climate, cannot produce exceptional wines.
ABOUT KELSEY KRAMER
Kelsey Kramer is a theater major turned wine professional and educator, currently navigating the WSET Diploma program with 13+ years of intensive hospitality, restaurant, and wine experience under her belt. After earning a B.F.A. in Acting at Ball State University in Indiana she started studying wine full-time with Takashi’s Japanese-Fusion restaurant in Chicago. She earned her CMS Sommelier certification in 2017, and at the same time began teaching about wine part-time at High Street Wine Co. in San Antonio, Texas, where she was born. She began building full class programming and beverage selection for various classes and wine education programs before building virtual education program models in the COVID-19 shutdown. During this time, she decided to dedicate her efforts to the growing Texas wine industry and to pursue her studies as a wine educator through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. In 2019 she started her journey with William Chris Vineyards interactive virtual education program, and wine education became her full-time pursuit at William Chris Wine Co. in 2022 when she became the Director of Education and a certified WSET educator. With such a colorful background, Kelsey’s educational style is performative, engaging and positive. Kelsey’s classes typically focus on hospitality, tasting technique, and looking at Texas wine through an international wine industry lens. She has a penchant for the psychology of wine interaction, and classic sweet wines of the world, such as Sauternes and Tokaji.
ABOUT WILLIAM CHRIS VINEYARDS
The authority in Texas-grown wine, William Chris Vineyards, is an advocate and an educator of Texas wine. Founders Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundrett believe wholeheartedly in Texas’s potential as a world-class, respected wine-growing region and tourism destination. With this mission in mind, they founded William Chris Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country in 2008. Deciding on a pioneer farm settlement in the historic town of Hye, Texas, they began the project to restore the 1905 Deike farmhouse, which became the original William Chris Tasting Room. Over the last decade, William Chris has expanded their estate vineyards and partnered with family-owned farms across the state to source only the highest quality fruit in Texas. In 2020, Chris Brundrett was recognized in Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 list, as someone who is “shaping the future of the entire spectrum of food, beverage and hospitality for years to come”. In 2022, William Chris Vineyards was named a “World’s Best Vineyard”, the first Texas winery to receive the recognition. With an intention to express the genuine taste of Texas terroir through their wines while delivering a one-of-a-kind, world-class experience, William Chris utilizes a hands-off winemaking approach, allowing the characteristics of the fruit, the vineyard or AVA, and the vintage to shine in the finished product. For more information, please visit williamchriswines.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram @WilliamChrisVineyards.
