Crystal Patel is the great, great, great granddaughter of Jacob Brodbeck, one of the early settlers and founders of Fredericksburg. There is a bust of him in Marktplatz, the town square. Brodbeck invented an airship that actually flew in 1865, well before the Wright Brothers. And the engineer and inventor also inverted a grape destemmer machine.
Brodbeck’s great grandson, Albert Meier, invented a wrecking ball that was used in the 1940s and 1950s to clear land in Texas. That wrecking ball is now painted red and sits at the entrance of Meierstone Vineyards.
As a young girl, Krystal helped her grandmother with winemaking. At that time, she used Mustang grapes. Today, Krystal makes far better wines and uses her natural ingenuity to create award-winning wines. The winery and tasting “town” (it resembles an old western town) is located on her family’s 550-acre working ranch in Stonewall along Highway 290. Krystal is another innovator in a long line of amazing Texas creators.
2023 Trebbiano
Texas High Plains
Fifty-seven cases made
“Utterly refreshing” describes this mouthwatering white wine. Essences of lychee fruit, orange blossoms, apricots honeysuckle, and a hint of limestone greet your nose while zesty lime acidity creates a crisp experience in the mouth.
Serve with Ceviche or oysters.
2023 Rosé Mourvèdre
Narra Vineyards
73 cases made
Exhibits a gracious salmon color in glass, a bouquet of roses, strawberries, watermelon and cranberry rises. This is a lighthearted rosé that goes down easy.
Pair with a feta and prosciutto.
2021 Rosé Sangiovese
Inman Vineyards
Almost sold out
Richer in color, like a wild caught sockeye salmon. Intriguing aromas of yellow watermelon, geranium, cherry, and pomegranate. On the palate notes of dragon fruit shine forward and nice body appears.
Try with a brie and rosemary roasted walnuts.
2021 Sangiovese
Inman Vineyards
152 cases made
Hues of garnet greet the eyes while a delectable fragrance of cherries, licorice, mushroom, and, dare I say, Jolly Rancher candy embraced the olfactory. Enjoy this easy fruit forward red with spaghetti carbonara or smoked sausages.
NV Airship
Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon
Inman and Paka Vineyards
108 cases made
This is the second generation of Airship. This first bottling won gold at the Houston Rodeo Wine Competition. Reminiscent of dark chocolate cherries, with fragrances of woodfire smoke, anise, dried plum, black currant, and leather.
A great match for Korean barbecue.
2018 RSV Malbec
Newsome Vineyards
200 cases made
Spicy notes of black pepper, licorice and blackberry dance around a glass of the rich ruby red wine. There are hints of fig and violets. Smooth tannins complete the finish.
Delicious with a skirt steak.
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Paka Vineyards
141 cases made
Strikingly, almost black in color with a perfume of cloves, tobacco, blackberries cherries and pleasing graphite mineral. It finishes with a racy acidity and balanced tannin structure.
Great with a blue cheese-topped tenderloin.
2021 Wrecking Ball
Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon
Texas High Plains
189 cases made
Leather and baking spice aromas meet tobacco leaf, fig, and tart red cherry. There are notes of sweet smoke. The tannins are well integrated with a food friendly acidity.
A wonderful accompaniment to beef Wellington or a winter stew.