Viognier: A Good Different

In our glass: Pedernales 2021 Viognier Reserve
14.6% alcohol by volume. Retail $42. 2021 was a vintage to remember. The rainier growing season made for some challenges, which we mitigated with longer aging and using our 500L puncheon (2x size typical wine barrel). This Viognier has 40% of new French oak aging over a period of seven months. 

The first stop was at Pedernales Cellars.  We had a great visit with sommelier Brooke. She knew Dawn was a member and still gave us a full experience! During today's visit we learned why Pedernales Cellars named their rose "Over the Moon" It was in honor of how the founders met.   Larry & Jeanine, David and Julie's parents, met when they were both hired to work on Apollo 11 mission from IBM.  They were “moonstruck” in Houston. 

Pedernales and upcoming events:
Live music every Saturday 1-5pm

June 1 Serving at Thirsty Thursday Peach Jamboree with Stonewall Chamber of Commerce

June 4, 11-1pm - Hosting Hill Country Film Festival send-off and awards. It is included with your badge to the 14th annual HC Film Festival. Takes place June 1-4

July 21-25 Christmas in July. serving sparkling Holiday Glögg.  Cost is $15 - 2 glass limit per customer.

Our second stop was at Hey Meadow.  We did a glass instead of a tasting to compliment our lunch choices.  We also were able to taste a chocolate with their port - super yummy.

Hye and upcoming events:
May 28th 2023- 1st Annual Hye Meadow Dog Show. Come on in and sign up on May 28th. Please remember all dogs must be dog friendly. Take your FUR-BABIES=)

June 3rd 2023- Karaoke Night Includes a Hot Dog Bar!!! Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm. Raffle Proceeds to Benefit Bikers Against Child Abuse!

June 10th 2023- Wine Fest

July 1st and 8th 2023- Summer Wine Club Party

July 22nd 2023- Winemaker Dinner

Last stop in Fredericksburg was, The Rhinory 

The main attraction is a rhinoceros part of proceeds are used to save rhinoceros in South Africa. It is a tasting room in pole barn with a patio outback and a view of the rhinoceros in the pastor.

Tasting room was very warm on the day we went Thermostat was 78.  was busy but we were able to get a table without reservation pretty quickly on a Friday at 4:30. Our wine server was just ok, informative at the table but not attentive. We decided on one of two flights opting for the more expensive flight which was $50 a person, included five wines and a freebie to start with. They featured wines that are not Texan. Both reds and whites.  We opted for the $50 tasting because it offered a Sauvignon blanc and Pinot Noir.  Having these on the menu (our favorites) piqued our curiosity.  The Sauvignon blanc was unique as it had a hint of jalapeño but other than that not too memorable. Service was not worth the tasting cost.  We were left up to our own devices to uncover an explanation of rhino.  The tasting room was medium-sized and warm probably due to all the windows. We definitely felt like we needed a fan or would have opted to sit outside. The rhinoceros was neat. He was active playing in the pasture. Overall, if it wasn’t for the rhinoceros, it would probably not be on our list to revisit, however if you would like to taste wines other than Texas wines, it may be a stop on yours is it in Fredericksburg. Neely, being an animal lover was drawn in.. but didn’t buy any wine other than tasting.

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