August 21, 2024 — We are excited to share that Kelsey Kramer, Director of Education at William Chris Wine Company, has been named to Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 list, announced today. Kramer, who’s at the helm of the company’s Hill Country Wine Academy, was chosen as one of the best talents in the country for her innovative approach to wine education and her dedication to broadening the awareness and understanding of Texas wines on a national scale.
Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 list, formerly 40 Under 40, recognizes a diverse set of tastemakers bringing the drinks business into the future, including winemakers, educators, sommeliers and other trailblazers in the wine industry, including William Chris Wine Company Co-Founder/Winemaker Chris Brundrett, who was named to the list in 2020. Kramer’s efforts in developing the unique wine education programming across all of William Chris Wine Company’s vineyards and brands have significantly contributed to putting Texas Hill Country in front of a national audience, establishing her as one of the industry’s top influences.
“Being recognized for what you do is great, but loving it is better,” says Kramer. “Last year, I spent time with a group of colleagues, and we shared moments of feeling burnt out on wine and the industry as a whole. That conversation now serves as the pivotal point in rekindling my love of wine. I’m grateful to share daily that renewed passion with students and lovers of wine. Being a Future 40 honoree lights a fire in me to continue innovating, educating and empowering others with Texas wine.”
ABOUT WILLIAM CHRIS WINE COMPANY
William Chris Wine Company (WCWC) was founded in October 2020 following a merger between business partners Chris Brundrett of William Chris Vineyards and Andrew Sides of Lost Draw. After many years of working closely together in various projects as peers in Texas winemaking, Andrew and Chris blended their businesses and teams to create William Chris Wine Company. Their shared vision of elevating Texas wine and cultivating a place where future leaders in the industry can develop and grow their careers has been a driving force behind their mission. William Chris Wine Company is vineyard-driven, taking a farming-focused, low-intervention approach to winemaking. WCWC is the parent company of the William Chris Vineyards (est. 2008), Lost Draw (est. 2012), Skeleton Key (est. 2015), Grower Project (est. 2015), Yes We Can (est. 2017), Uplift Vineyard (est. 2022), and Wine for the People (est. 2010) brands, and is the leading producer of 100% Texas-grown wines. Throughout the years, William Chris Wine Company properties and wines have won countless awards, including William Chris Vineyards being named as a top 100 winery by World’s Best Vineyards in both 2022 and 2023. They also have had wines selected in the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Texas Monthly Vinters Cups. In 2022 the William Chris Wanderer Series Relief Project III made R.H. Drexel’s Top 50 Wines Of 2022, and the William Chris 2020 Roussanne, La Pradera Vineyards was awarded 92 points from Decanter Magazine. For a full press kit and more information, please visit williamchriswines.com.
