BECKER VINEYARDS TRIP AND TASTING

My Trip to Becker Vineyards

On Sunday, I decided on a whim to take an afternoon trip up to Becker Vineyards to tour their facilities, grounds and tasting room. The previous week, I had drank, rated and loved their Iconoclast Cab and the experience sparked my interest in this particular vineyard.
Enjoying the beautiful hill country views during the hour drive up highway 281 and 290, I found myself excited at the thought of a quality winery being within reach of North San Antonio. Located less than 15 miles east of Fredricksburg, the 10,040 square-foot winery was easy to find off the highway. The Vintners, Richard and Bunny Becker are avid wine enthusiasts and the wines that they’ve managed to create using 100% Texas grown grapes of numerous varieties have won dozens of awards since the winery was founded in 1992.
Upon entering the winery’s entrance, I was greeted by rows of dormant grape vines on my right side. Pastures containing horses and other grazing animals were visible through the driver’s side window. As I drove up the driveway, I felt peace, relaxation and communion with the wonderful natural surroundings.
The beautiful limestone gift shop and wine tasting room’s entrance is located at the end of the gravel trail. I was immediately welcomed by Kay, a lovely lady and one of the winery’s associates who only work during weekends. She told me about the history of the winery, the dedication and pride that Dr. Becker puts into his craft and as she continued talking, I became aware of her pride in the winery as well.
Entering the tasting room through the gift shop, I was greeted by a beautiful sight- rows and rows of bottles with medals and other awards hanging from them, filling the shelves that surrounded the room. Centered in the middle was the wine bar. For ten dollars, visitors can sample up to six wines using a complimentary glass that is theirs to keep. I went this route and decided to use my credit card. Later, I found out that the cashier double charged me. I wasn’t too concerned with it however as they gladly and knowingly let me sample more than double the wines that the fee covered.
As I sampled, I had the pleasure of watching and conversing with Don and Stephanie, two employees who were happily pouring wine for the visitors while relaying the tasting notes and general wine knowledge. Stephanie was a lovely young woman and had a bubbly personality that immediately put me at ease in the already relaxed atmosphere. Don was older and handled himself with a certain courteousness and authority that suggested he knew his business there. They both shared the same enthusiasm for their work and pride in their employer as Kay had. I look forward to visiting and seeing them in the near future. I suggest you do the same if given the opportunity.
For those interested in visiting or contacting the vineyard, it’s info is listed below:

464 Becker Farms Road
Stonewall, Texas 78671
830-644-2681 phone
mailto:phonebeckervyds@beecreek.net

Hours:
Monday thru Thursday- 10 a.m. -- 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday- 10 a.m. -- 6 p.m.
Sundays- Noon-- 6 p.m.


2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Wilmeth Vineyard

This was a wonderful Cab that won a number of awards, most recently a gold medal and Best of Show at the San Antonio Wine Festival.
Eye- Ruby Red.
Nose- Strawberries and floral notes.
Taste- Plum, flowers and berries. Tannins are smooth and balanced. Medium bodied and well structured with a good feel and an earthy mineral finish.
Rating- 8


2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Eye- Garnet red, clear
Nose- Cherries, oak, spice
Taste- Plum with velvety tannins. Medium body. Medium mouth feel. Finished well and vanilla snuck in at the very end.
Rating- 7.5

2007 Claret

Eye- ruby, clear
Nose- earthy, tart berries
Taste- Raspberries. Mineral notes, oak and tannins well blended and layered. This was apparently their meritage in a faux-Bordeaux fashion. I prefer French and Cali attempts better but this was enjoyable nonetheless.
Rating- 6

2008 Zinfandel

Eye- dark red
Nose- alcohol, bing cherries and vanilla
Taste- Cherries, vanilla, butter and spice. Heavy on palate. I thought it was a bit tannic- decant for a few hours or age.
Rating- 5

2008 Grenache

This dog won’t hunt; it wasn’t up to the standard of the others and certainly not of the quality of everyday Grenache’s from Catalonia or Rioja. This was the only one I didn’t care for.
Eye- garnet
Nose- blueberries, wood, alcohol
Taste- tart fruit, mineral. Poor etOH/tannin ratio.
Rating- 4

2008 Prairie Rotie

Eye- dark rose.
Nose- berries, oak
Taste- Layers or raspberry, oak, toasted nuts and well structured tannins. Smooth, long finish.
Rating- 7


2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Newsome Vineyard

Eye- ruby
Nose- earthy, fresh fruit
Taste- Currant, berries. Oakier than the other cabs with a slight jamminess and fuller mouth feel.
Rating- 6

2008 Cabernet – Syrah Reserve

Eye- dark purple/red
Nose- cherries, vanilla and spice
Taste- well balanced marriage of cherry, vanilla and spice layers. Wonderful finish with a med. body and nice mouth feel.
Rating- 8

2008 Barbera Peter’s Prairie Vineyards
Eye- ruby
Nose- oak, fresh berries and flowers
Taste- spicy berries and vanilla. Poor etOH/tannin ratio which will be helped by decanting and possibly age.
Rating- 5.5

2008 Port
Wow!
I don’t like port but I loved this.
Sweet berry essence from syrah grapes gives vibrancy to the typically darker, heavier drink. I tasted plums and allspice. Fresh. Alive. Wonderfully balanced. Unexpected.
Rating- 8.5