Thirteen-time World Series champion Yogi Berra once said, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” That was never truer than the day Mar Meirtschin, an oil and gas executive, decided to use some of the leftover 529 education funds he and Janet had put away to go back to school.
He started taking classes at University of California-Davis, studying enology and their future changed the day he began. Janet, a chemical engineer, thought she would retire and paint. Her future “ain’t what she thought,” she laughs. It wasn’t just painting; it also was creating beautiful wines from Texas.
As soon as Mark and Janet officially retired, they began exploring the possibilities of their own winery in Texas.
Janet took enology classes locally at the Texas Tech Fredericksburg campus and began making wine at Kerrville Hills Winery incubator. John Rivenburgh helped guide them through the process of buying, crushing, making and selling wine.
They purchased property off Highway 290 and built a well-appointed tasting room that opened in 2023. The walls of the tasting room are adorned with beautiful artwork created by Janet.
Mark set in motion a path that changed their future as they both went from went from executives to cellar rats.
I think that’s a trade even Yogi would like.
2022 Gewurztraminer
Diamonte Doble, Texas High Plains
A lovely, dry white wine with a bouquet of orange blossom, apricot, peach, jasmine, lime zest and white tea on the nose. This is a mouthwatering wine with an acidity that hits the mid pallet just right.
Pair with your favorite curry dish, perhaps tandoori chicken.
2021 Marsanne
Hoover Valley Vineyards, Texas Hill Country
This approachable wine shows medium hay color, with a heady aroma of white peaches, lemons, white flowers and a hint of hazelnut. A nice viscosity adds body.
Matches well with lobster, crab or a crawfish boil.
2022 Semillon
Lahey Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Six months is French oak brings out a lush butterscotch. Scents of Opal apples, Meyer lemon, geranium intertwine with tropical pineapple and banana.
Serve this with a cream sauce like fettuccini alfredo.
2022 Fiano
Buena Suerte Vineyards, Texas High Plains
(A well-deserved Double Gold at Houston Rodeo.)
Offers up aromas of vanilla, peach, ripe pears, lemons, gold kiwi and tropical fruits. There is a creaminess here. A nice accompaniment to goat cheese stuffed dates.
2021 Mourvèdre Róse
Buena Suerte Vineyards, Texas High Plains
(Earned Gold at San Francisco Chronicle competition.)
Shows a salmon color and bright acidity with essences of just picked strawberries and roses. There is an undercurrent of cranberry compote and orange zest. The quintessential lunch wine.
Perfect with a caprese salad.
2022 Sangiovese Róse
Lahey Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Candied cherry hues create a beautiful swirl in the glass. Whiffs of red plums, violets, raspberries, and a hint of star anise greet the nose. It’s round on the mouth with a solid acidity. This wine will pair nicely with a Tuscan bread soup.
2021 Red Wine
Texas Hill Country
(Earned Gold at San Antonio Rodeo)
An exuberant blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah aged in American oak that exhibits Garnet hues and a complex perfume of tobacco leaf, red currant, dark chocolate, ripe cherries and a subtle note of eucalyptus. Sweet smoke and flavors of anise intertwine.
A tasty companion to a hangar steak.
2021 Mourvèdre
Parr Vineyards, Texas Hill Country
(Earned Gold at San Antonio Rodeo)
This ruby red wine is hand-harvested and aged for three years in French oak. A perfume of blackberry, dark cherry, cloves, cigar box and white pepper envelope the senses. It has a soft tannin structure to contemplate.
Enjoy this the next time you have Osso Buco.
2021 Tannat
Lahey Vineyards, Texas High Plains
Opaque deep purple in the glass. Aromas of leather, cigar smoke, blackberries and black currants rise up, followed by notes of black tea and almonds.
A rugged wine that pairs with short ribs.
2021 Teroldego
Pepper Jack Vineyard, Texas High Plains
Texas Monthly Top 12
Inky, dark wine that offers a gracious elegance. The nose picks up dark berries, cherries, tobacco leaf, mission figs, licorice and fire smoke. The tannins are silky and caress the tongue.
With signature marbling, an A5 ribeye would be a yummy match for this wine.
2021 Dessert Marsanne
Hoover Valley Vineyards, Texas Hill Country
A fortified dessert wine that received Top of Class at the San Antonio Rodeo. It offers up hazelnut, Ambrosia apple orange blossom and candied orange zest.
Enjoy with cheeses of over ice cream for a fabulous finish.