THE BOOT ST O R I E S F R O M T H E T E X A S H I L L C O U N T RY
D R A W N BY L EG ACY, A FO U R-STA R G E N E R A L RETURNS HOME
F R E D E R I C K S B U R G’ S RO B U ST J U N I O R G O L F P RO G R A M
E X P LO R E O N E O F T H E F I R ST W I N E R I ES I N T H E T E X A S H I L L CO U N T RY
2020 | ISSUE 1
Richard Becker in one of the private tasting rooms.
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A LIVING LEGACY STORY BY ANNE HEINEN
In the capable hands of Richard Becker and his wife, a weekend getaway turned into one of the largest and finest wineries in the Texas Hill Country.
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ill Country wine is a thing, in case you hadn’t heard. One indication: Highway 290 is peppered with signs for wineries and tasting rooms that take advantage of the area’s great growing conditions and proximity to wine lovers from San Antonio, Austin, and beyond. If you visit Becker Vineyards, a short drive from Boot Ranch near Stonewall, you might see a familiar face or two. Richard Becker, MD, and his son Joe Becker, MD, are members at Boot Ranch, and both play active roles in their winery—one of the Hill Country originals. Becker Vineyards is also a reflection of their family’s determination and passion, and a living legacy to Bunny Becker, Richard’s wife and Joe’s mom. “When we started, there were four or five other
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wineries around us,” Richard says. He and Bunny received a state winery permit in 1993 and at the time, “there were probably a dozen in Texas. Now there are almost six hundred.” One measure of Becker’s success is the 140,000 cases it sells annually online, at the winery, and at restaurants, bars, stores, and the Becker tasting rooms in Fredericksburg. Its current offerings include more than thirty reds, whites, rosés, and ports from the nine harvest-ready varietals grown on the estate, including Sirah, Petite Sirah, and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as carefully selected grapes from other growers in Texas, particularly those on the High Plains. One could point to the hundreds of awards that Becker wines have won at state, national, and international levels, including four Double Gold medals in 2016 at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest American wine competition in the world. But others are more impressed with where Becker wines have been served, including the White House, the James Beard Foundation, the Texas Governor’s Mansion, and many quality restaurants in Texas and the U.S. But to hear the Beckers tell it, their success is all about the people: their own family and employees, the grape growers and barrel makers, and the wine lovers who flock to their inviting estate to enjoy and learn more about wine. “Dad met [legendary California winemaker] Robert Mondavi early on,” Joe says. “He advised that when people
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come to your winery, you should let them feel like you’re their winemaker and part of their family.” The youngest of three in the Becker family, Joe laughs about the cold rain that was falling the day that he, his mom, and their general manager planted the first vines in 1992, when he was twelve. Along with his brother, sister, and cousins, Joe grew up with the winery, spending weekends and summers helping out. Today he’s still there (“I don’t really have a title,” he says), when not practicing endocrinology with his dad in San Antonio and raising three boys alongside his fellow-MD wife, Emily. Joe’s sister, Clementine, who helped create the Becker winery tasting room, has passed away, while his brother Will and his family live in Massachusetts and come down for harvests. “I look forward to going to the vineyard almost every weekend,” Joe says. “My parents bought it when I was in seventh grade. I always knew I wanted to be a part of the family wine business. We’re blessed that Dad and I share a love of medicine and the vineyard. I get to spend time doing what I love, with my family.” In 1989, Richard and Bunny Becker found a weekend getaway cabin from the 1800s in the Hill Country. But their love of gardening, cooking, and wine propelled them to spend the weekends growing grapes and making wine rather than relaxing. Today the estate has expanded from its original 46 acres to 320, with 56 acres
of grapevines, including special varietals earmarked for members of the Becker Wine Club. Next to the winery, the 1800s cabin still sits on its original site. The rustic structure served as a bed and breakfast until 2011 but now is home to special wine tastings. The Beckers’ new heritage tour of the property, rich with historical tales of the land, region, and people, will start with a tasting in the cabin. Another stop will be the original vineyard, with samples for guests of one of that vineyard’s wines. The winery itself has three tank rooms and a barrel warehouse storing nearly 5,000 oak barrels. Cutting no corners in winemaking is another piece of Robert Mondavi’s advice that the elder Dr. Becker has treasured. “He took us under his arm in a way that was amazing,” he recalls. “We try hard to make the very best wine, and we win against all the best wines in the world.” For special tastings, the Beckers and guests enter the Reserve Wine Library cellar tasting room, home to Becker’s private selection of wines and his singlevineyard Cabernet barrel program. A hand-hewn mesquite table serves as the gathering spot for guided wine and cheese tastings. Each Becker bottle features original artwork with a family connection. The oak tree logo was painted by Richard’s childhood friend and artist, Tony Bell, while a portrait of Bunny graces the the Clementine Sauvignon Blanc, painted by her father when she was eighteen. Bunny’s legacy lives on in every aspect
The exterior of the winery; featuring original artwork. OPPOSITE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Becker Vineyards grows on 56 acres of grapevines; inside the Reserve Wine Library cellar tasting room; the weekend getaway cabin that started the estate. THIS PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM:
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Richard Becker and his son, Joe Becker.
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of Becker Vineyards. The gracious partner and co-founder who died in July 2019 was twice featured on the cover of Wine Spectator magazine and recognized throughout the winemaking world for her level-headed and nuanced expertise. Her generosity, persistence, and humor were also renowned. Along with Richard, Bunny nurtured and grew the winery, helping it flourish to become the local leader that it is today. To honor Bunny’s memory and contributions to wine, the Beckers helped the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association establish the Bunny Becker Women in Wine Award, to be given annually to a woman working in Texas enology and viticulture. The first recipient, in 2019, was Brenda Canada of Canada Family Vineyards, a West Texas grape grower whose Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes, grown near Plains, Texas, are integral to many Becker Vineyards blends. “It’s a great honor. I still can’t get over it. It’s not something I ever thought would happen to me,” says Canada, who began growing grapes after retiring from her 27-year teaching career. “And the award is a great thing because there are a lot of women in this business, serving as consultants for vineyards, making wine and doing various things, making their way.” Canada and her family enjoy a strong connection with the Beckers. “Once you grow grapes for the Beckers, you become part of their family,” she notes. “Bunny was always a
lady. She was so graceful and loved to listen to whatever you had to say, and very supportive of whatever you were doing.” The Becker Wine Club brings the Becker winery’s friendly inclusiveness to the forefront. Alongside the Beckers, members participate in tastings and special events like lunches and small-bite pairings with on-site chef Michael Lockhart’s culinary creations. “Most Wine Club members have tasted wine from all over the world and recognize Gillespie County wine as a serious contender,” Richard says. Special group tastings, wine dinners, weddings, and birthday parties take place at the Lavender Haus, based on a limestone barn at the LBJ Settlement in Johnson City. A soaring timber-frame vaulted ceiling defines the event space, along with native cypress walls, wrought iron chandeliers, and a large limestone fireplace. The winery’s calendar is usually full of enticing annual events like fundraisers, the springtime “Bluebonnets, Bluegrass and Barbeque” party, a paella challenge, Merlot and chocolate tastings, and the Lavender Festival, featuring artisan lavender products, live music, and lavender-infused food samplings paired with Becker wines. Other activities are reserved for the Wine Club, whose membership is open to all who enjoy conviviality and fine wine.
I F YO U G O Walk-in Tastings
Group Tastings
No reservation is required; tasting flights include a souvenir Riedel wine glass, etched with the Becker name and signature oak tree image.
With eight or more friends or family members, enjoy six pre-selected samples of Becker Vineyards wine. A private tour is also available.
Reservations are required for groups of eight or more, and for other tasting experiences.
Reserve Library Tasting
Chef-prepared small bites are paired with Becker wines for a culinary wine experience.
Once a month, the elegant Library wine cellar is home to a select wine and cheese pairing; guests also
Go to BeckerVineyards.com for a full listing of events and to make reservations.
receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the winery’s production area.
The Art of Food and Wine
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