Discover why Westcave is committed to being "100% Texas," sourcing fruit from both their own Wimberley vineyards and the High Plains. We also dive into their unique brewery side, featuring estate-grown hop history and small-batch beers that make this a must-visit destination for wine and beer lovers alike. From North Carolina-style pig roasts to remote tasting experiences, learn what makes this authentic "mom and pop" operation a true gem of the Hill Country.
In this episode, we discuss:
The history and naming of Westcave Cellars near the Westcave Preserve.
The philosophy of 100% Texas grapes and on-site production.
The "Westcave Brewery" story and their rotating craft beer selection.
Unique events like breakfast taco pairings and Riedel glassware tastings.
Scott’s tasting notes on the 2021 Cabernet Franc.
Visit *Westcave Cellars & Brewery (https://www.westcavecellars.com/)*
00:00:11 Texas Wine Lover App Recommendation
00:03:06 Welcome to Texas Under Vine
00:04:01 Introduction to Westcave Cellars and Brewery
00:04:47 Alan Fetty's journey from Tech to Wine
00:05:34 Planting the first vineyard on Hamilton Pool Road
00:06:54 Deep roots in the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association
00:07:07 The move to Hye and the new 290 location
00:08:16 Exploring the Brewery and craft beer offerings
00:08:44 Famous pig roasts and unique food pairings
00:09:19 Remote and Zoom tasting opportunities
00:11:00 Interview begins with Alan Fetty
00:18:31 Commitment to 100% Texas grapes and authenticity
00:24:23 The story of Texas-grown hops and the Brewery
00:30:54 Focus on varietals vs. blends
00:33:03 Alan’s favorite wines to make: Merlot and Sangiovese
00:36:11 Events, live music, and the beautiful tasting room
00:41:40 What to expect during a tasting flight
00:45:15 Operating hours and the best time to visit
00:46:41 Wine Club details and pickup parties
00:52:50 What sets Westcave Cellars apart
00:55:58 Tasting notes: The 2021 Cabernet Franc
00:56:52 Final requests and support for the show
Become a Patreon of Texas Under Vine and get access to bonus content, like photo galleries from the episode, video walkthroughs of the location, and sneak peek videos of where I'm headed next for future episodes! (https://www.patreon.com/texasundervine)
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*Locations mentioned in this episode:*
UC Davis (https://www.ucdavis.edu/)
Westcave Preserve (https://www.westcave.org/)
Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association (https://www.txwines.org/)
Texas Hill Country Wineries (https://texashillcountrywineries.org/)
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*Texas Regions Guide (see the Texas Under Vine website for map):*
(https://texasundervine.com/episode-region-map)
*CT* - Central Texas
*ET* - East Texas
*GC* - Gulf Coast
*HC* - Texas Hill Country
*HP* - Texas High Plains
*NT* - North Texas
*ST* - South Texas
*WT* - West Texas
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