Fayette County Record 2018 Vine and Stein

2 0 1 8 FAY E T T E C O U N T Y W I N E , B E E R , & F I N E F O O D G U I D E

and everything fine

top-notch

Local Food Pairings

So much more than mead WINERIES • BREWERIES • DISTILLERIES

www.bluemulewines.com

Just 1 mil e Hwy off 237!

Hours: Thursday - Sunday noon to 6pm 8127 N FM 1291 • Fayetteville, TX 78940 •

713-226-9344

FEATURES Bistro 108 & Vin 114.....................................................4&5

6

p.

Rohan Meadery..................................................................6 Blue Mule Winery...............................................................8 Wine Bar at The Grand Fayette Hotel.......................10 La Grange Uncorked.......................................................12 AlgEternal Technologies.................................................14

10

p.

Wonderful Winter Wine Walk-Flatonia.......................16 Oktoberfest-LaGrange.........................................18 Kooper Family Rye Whiskey.......................................20 Jersey Barnyard Sundowners......................................21 Majek Vineyard................................................................22

12

p.

ADVERTISING Ad Index.............................................................................23

16

p.

22

p.

E GUID FOOD INE , & F BEER INE, TY W COUN TTE E Y A F 2018

g fine erythin and ev

On the Cover

John and Wendy Rohan, owners of Rogan Meadery Photo by Lindsey Fojtik

tch top-no od cal Fo

Lo Pairings

So much IES •

WINER

more than

IES • BREWER

mead

ERIES

DISTILL

2018 VINE & STEIN

3

BISTRO 108 & VIN 114

A Family Affair

By SUSAN KUEHLER Mike McCathern and Susan Kuehler teamed up about 20 years ago in Austin. Little did they know they were about to embark on a culinary adventure that would start with a café that would become a bistro; expand to include a catering company and then add a wine bar.

They both had jobs they liked in Austin, Mike was with the Texas Water Development Board and Susan was a restaurant manager.

They were enjoying weekends on Lake Travis, doing a little swing dancing and going to concerts. They thought they might enjoy slowing down a little, so they moved to the country – instead life took off like a rocket.

In 2004 Bistro 108 opened in a cozy 1,000 square foot space, that for many food establishments is the size of their kitchen. For Mike and Susan, it was the entire dining room and kitchen. But, good things come in small packages. Bistro 108 has been a huge success serving really yummy cuisine – fresh vegetables sautéed in butter with onions and bell peppers, scalloped potatoes and fresh soups – cooking it like Susan’s Grandmother Flora Mae would, drawing folks from all over Fayette County. Others come from as far as Austin,

4

2018 VINE & STEIN

Houston, Brenham and Hallettsville.

Mike orders the very best fresh seafood from Honolulu and has it shipped in overnight. It was literally swimming in the Pacific Ocean two days before being prepared by their son-in-law, Ascencion. Working with local farmers to provide fresh produce when available, as well as ordering the freshest and best from their

purveyors is how they keep their menu quality consistent and crowd pleasing. The Bistro is a family affair, Mike, Susan, Amber, Lorelei and Ascencion, along with their staff create yummy food and a warm friendly atmosphere for your dining pleasure.

About 7 years ago, after many requests, Susan decided to open Celebrations Events and Catering. Celebrations is both an event venue and a full-service catering company. Susan caters everything from private parties of 12 to weddings and cooperate events up to 300.

When asked, “How far do you go?” The answer is – Hawaii. Years ago, they went to Hawaii to prepare a wedding reception for a friend’s son. It was a wonderful experience. Celebrations Catering can prepare the menu for your next dinner party or they can plan and execute the entire event – including tables, tents, lighting, staff, food and alcohol. Celebrations the Venue is perfect for events up to about 72 for a sit-down dinner and 100 for a stand-up cocktail party.

When you plan your event with Susan at Celebrations Events and Catering you do not have to do anything other than be a guest at your own event.

Mike had always talked about opening his own wine bar. When the cute two-story building next to Bistro 108 became available, Vin 114 was born. It is a cozy wine bar with over 100 wines and 20 beers plus 2 drafts. Folks come in for a glass of wine and end up staying for hours enjoying appetizers prepared by the Bistro while visiting with other guests and friends. It’s a little like that place called, “Cheers”. Everybody knows your name by the end of the evening.

Vin 114 even has a dining room upstairs that holds about 20 folks for dinner. You can even buy wine by the bottle and/or the case to take home for your next party. Mike gives great discounts for retail purchases.

Mike and Susan have made La Grange their home. Cooking up good food and pouring delicious wines are their passions. It’s a little like going to a friend’s house for dinner and fellowship. Bistro 108…. “Where friends meet, and new friends are made.”

VIN 114 wine bar

114 South Main La Grange Tx. 979.968.9108 bistro108.com

BON APPETIT.

www.Bistro108.com

Bistro 108: 108 S. Main St. La Grange, TX 78945 Vin 114: 114 South Main St. La Grange, TX 78945

Tel. 979.968.9108

2018 VINE & STEIN

5

ROHAN MEADERY

So Much More Than Mead

By LUCY CARR

As the name suggests, Rohan Meadery, tucked away in the countryside between La Grange and Round Top, is the place to go locally for mead, but did you know it also produces award-winning white, red and rosé wines, as well as a range of hard ciders? Owners John and Wendy Rohan have seven different kinds of wine in their repertoire, including three that have won awards from the Lone Star International Wine Competition. This, plus their expansion into hard ciders made from apples and pears, means there is much more to Rohan Meadery than meets the eye, and the palate.

After successfully making mead for some time, the Rohans decided to diversify. “By offering the wines and ciders, there’s something for everyone,” comments Wendy.

John and Wendy grow some of the grapes for their delicious wines on Blissful Folly Farm, the home of the Rohan enterprise, while others are gathered from vineyards in Fayette County, the Hill Country and North Texas. Black Spanish, Tempranillo and Blanc du Bois whites are locally grown. Italian grape varietals including Sangiovese and Montepulciano are hand-picked and brought to the farm from, appropriately, Florence, TX. White Viognier grapes are cultivated in Dublin, TX, famous for a quite different kind of tipple.

Once harvested, the grapes are transported to the farm and skillfully turned into delicious wines at the hands of John and Wendy.

Entropy, which features the Sangiovese grape varietal, won bronze at this year’s Lone Star International Wine Competition, while their rosé from the Black Spanish grape won silver medal in its category.

Their Blanc Du Bois white was awarded bronze medal in 2016 and 2018.

So, how have these winemakers, fairly new to the scene, ended up being so successful so quickly, especially when they face competition from other makers not far away in the Hill Country? Wendy attributes it to their being respectful of the grapes on a case-by-case basis. “Our vision was to honor the grape as it grew in the vineyard, honoring the vintage and the taste of the grapes,” she states. “From year to year…you are getting all these nuances. You are not trying to manipulate the wine so much that it’s like a clone every year.” That way, she says, they can let the grape be showcased.

How is this achieved? Wendy gives all the credit to her husband, John, and both his scientific skills, his palate and his patience. To let the grapes be themselves and produce a great wine takes “a lot of chemistry”, comments Wendy, but also a lot of artistic skill, and faith in the processes. She recalls their first attempt at wine making and how the initial tasting, before the wine matured, was “just horrible”.

She thought they would have to dump the juice but John let nature took its course instead of jumping in with tricks to manipulate the flavor. The end result was a wine that is now one of Wendy’s favorites.

6

2018 VINE & STEIN

While his wines have won awards seemingly overnight, like a great vintage, John’s skills have been developing quietly for years. He first made mead in Junior High after reading Beowulf “because all the best decisions were made in the mead hall”.

He grew up on a farm and would help make muscadine wines with his family. Over the years, he continued to make wines for himself before deciding to produce them for public consumption.

The Rohans have also expanded into ciders, thanks to the abundance of quality apple and pear juice they have access to.

Wendy loves dry cider and, using pressed apple juice from the Texas Panhandle, she set out to make the driest cider she had ever tasted.

The result is Hermione, named after one of the family goats (“That’s what happens when you let your five-year-old name your goats,” comments John). For those with a sweeter palate, there’s the semisweet Sugarfoot.

Their newest product is perry, cider made with pears. After realizing that pears grow “super well” in this area, the couple planted more pear trees on their farm and have used the fruit to make a dry perry called Crockett and a semi-sweet variety called Crockett Jr. (This time named after a goat born on Texas Independence Day and his offspring.) The perry is currently only available on tap at the Meadery but the Rohans hope it will be on store shelves in the next six months or so.

To sample the wines, ciders and meads, visit the tasting room at Blissful Folly Farm. Opening hours are Thursday to Sunday, noon to 6pm. LG Spirits and Bodega in La Grange also stock the wines and mead. Visit the website for a list of stockists across Texas.

www.RohanMeadery.com Tel. 979.249.5652

6002 FM 2981 La Grange, TX 78945 Tasting Room Hours : Thursday - Sunday, Noon to 6:00pm

BLUE MULE WINERY

Fayette County’s Newest Winery

By KARA KOETHER The Blue Mule Winery is a brand new winery that opened in Fayetteville on May 26. They are located at 8127 N FM 1291 Fayetteville, TX 78940. The property is historically significant in the sense that it was a part of the land that was granted to the original 300 families that Stephen F. Austin brought in to settle Texas.

Because of this, they occasionally find little treasures buried in the ground, such as an old calvary military knife.

They are open from noon until 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and are open from noon until 8 p.m. on Saturdays.

The biggest obstacle that this new winery faced did not involve financing, permits or getting grapes; rather, it was finding a contractor in the rural area to look at the small job of remodeling the existing building where the winery is.

Before striking out on their own, the people at Blue Mule Winery worked with Rohan Meadery and made wines for their business.

Mike Gamble started like most winemakers: making homemade wine in five-gallon caroys. He enjoyed the challenge of making several different wines from locally grown grapes and fruit that people enjoyed. “At one point, I had 80 gallons fermenting in 16 carboys!,” Gamble said.

It was time to take the show on the road, and for the three years prior to opening Blue Mule Winery, he was making wine for the other winery. Ashley Dalhart convinced Gamble that it was time to leave and start their own winery, and promised that if he’d make it, she’d sell it.

The Blue Mule Winery grows primarily Spanish Red and Blanc Du Bois grapes, and they are testing the waters with Conquistador and Victoria Red grapes as well. They even grow a few peach, plum and pear trees on the 11-acre property. They also have chickens, guineas, Icelandic sheep and alpacas, and sell chicken eggs for $4 per dozen as well as hand-dyed yard that they shear and create as part of their fiber business, Blue Mule Fiber.

There’s lots of hard work involved with running the Blue Mule Winery. It’s very small, and currently makes seven different wines on site. They do all the work by hand, including growing, picking, crushing, pressing, fermentation, aging and bottling. They grow, prune and spray vines on their property and on a small vineyard in Round Top. July and August wre their harvest months. On July 14, they processed four tons of Blanc Du Bois from their grower in Sealy, and on August 4, they picked two and a half tons of Black Spanish grapes from their farm and at the Round Top vineyard.

Along with the grapes they picked, they also received another two tons from their grower in Sealy, which was crushed and dumped into fermentation bins at the winery.

www.BlueMuleWines.com 8127 N FM 1291 Fayetteville, Tx 78940 Tel. 713.226.9344

Tasting Room Hours : Thursday - Sunday, Noon to 6:00pm 8

2018 VINE & STEIN

“Pretty in Peach,” a peach chardonnay that is semi-sweet with light peach flavors, is their most popular sweet wine; it’s perfect for enjoying in the summer heat. The winery’s most popular dry wine is a red called “Cigar Box Jack,” which is made from estate-grown Black Spanish and is dry with hints of fig and plum on the nose, and earth and leather on the palate, with strong dark fruit flavors.

They also have a wine club called the Muleteers, and have several attractions other than wine-tasting, including cornhole, live music and processing days.

Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center

K US BOO Y! TODA

Heritage Festival & Muziky October 19th and 20th 250 West Fairgrounds Road, La Grange, Texas

Your Small Town Get Around We want to connect you with all the area has to offer and keep you safe while enjoying it!

Weddings • Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties • Schuber Tuber Beer and BBQ • Golf Weekend • Happy Hours • Saturday Saunter Baby Showers • Wedding Showers • Romantic Date Night Wedding Transportation • Quinceaneras & MORE

Hospoda (beer garden)  Train Rides  Music  Arts & Crafts Village Tours  Demonstrations  Antique Tractor & Car Show

Friday, Oct. 19th Saturday, Oct. 20th PolkaOn! Octoberfest on the Deck 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Opening Ceremony 10:00 AM

Heritage Demonstrations

LaGrange Ford Hospoda (Beer Garden) Czech Style Shiner Beer Stage 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Chicken & Dumplings Jerry Haisler & the Melody 5 Served! and Enzian Buam 6:00 PM Amphitheater 9:30 PM 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Music with The Dujka Brothers

Visit the Czech Village!

Muziky, Muziky

“THE LEGENDS SERIES” Featuring

The Legacy of the Vrazels’ Polka Band

1-888-785-4500

czechtexas.org

979.484.7013

bookings@schuber.co

info@czechtexas.org

Saturday Night Fireworks Finale

Proudly Sponsored by

H-E-B

All are Willkommen

◆

2018 VINE & STEIN

9

THE GRAND FAYETTE

Chefs Kathy and George Valtasaros at the Wine Bar & Restaura nt at the Gra nd

A unique wine bar featuring gourmet food and cocktails with a twist Fayetteville’s Wine Bar & Restaurant at the Grand has become a popular destination for foodies and wine lovers. Chefs George and Kathy Valtasaros have created a comfortable and cozy environment inside the Grand Fayette Hotel, the recently renovated hotel in an historic building dating back to 1900. The unique venue has quickly become known for its art-lined walls, striking interiors and menu items that are hard to find locally.

Broad wine selection

The Wine Bar has a selection of wines from moderately priced favorites to the more exclusive choices such as Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon. And there is a unique cocktail offering, including the lavender Elizabeth Taylor, the Aperol Spritz and the Champagne Cocktail using an original recipe dating back to the 1920s.

Eclectic menu from original recipes

The menu of salads, small dishes (tapas) and award-winning deserts come from original recipes influenced by New Orleans, Napa and the Mediterranean. You may want to start off with a generous Grand Charcuterie (chef-curated meats, cheeses, olives, dried fruits and nuts with a fresh-baked baguette) or the truly unique Pao de Quejo, a gluten-free Brazilian cheese bread.

For salads they offer Orchard, Cesar and Greek with house-made dressings from scratch, or the rarely found Burrata salad of buffalo mozzarella filled with stracciatella and cream served with basil and sun dried tomato pestos and a petite baguette.

The mouth-watering Cherrywood-smoked Bacon Wrapped Shrimp filled with Fontina cheese, Salmon in a tequila lime cilantro sauce, Blackened Shrimp and Crawfish Fondue, and Southern Crab Cakes with Remoulade sauce are delights, as are the very thick dry-aged Pork

Ribeyes, Medallions of Beef Tenderloin in a Bordelaise sauce, and Tuscan Meatball of ground tenderloin in a housemade marinara sauce.

Chicken Pot Pie topped with puff pastry and grownup Mac & Cheese with smoked bacon are familiar yet surprising presentations.

Flatbread pizzas are perfect for sharing with friends. The Roma or Orchard flatbreads and Greek Pita are a tasty diversion from the ordinary pizza.

The desserts are worth an evening by themselves. Chefs George and Kathy have won awards in their former Houston restaurants with their Bourbon bread pudding (it may be the best you will ever taste.)

There are special deserts that change out over time, but you can always find their signature Texas Tiramisu and Chocolate Kahlua Cake on the menu.

Sunday Champagne Brunch

Sunday brunch served table d’hote (made to order selections served at your table for one price) is special at the Wine Bar at the Grand. The Chef ’s flaky, never-ending biscuits with jams start the morning. Traditional Eggs Benedict, Tex-Mex or Italian Frittatas and American Scrambled Eggs anchor the menu that also includes favorites Belgian Waffles with freshly-whipped cream and Slow Cooked Country Roast with potatoes and carrots. Five dollar Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas or Champagne Cocktails are available as well. Make a date for a casual morning / early afternoon with friends on Sundays from 11am till 2pm.

Open every day for breakfast and dinner during Antique Weeks

The Wine Bar & Restaurant will be open every day during antique weeks for a set-menu breakfast from 8-9:30 am and dinner from 5-9 pm, including Sunday evenings. (Normal days for the Wine Bar & Restaurant are Thursday-Saturday 5-9 pm, plus Sunday Morning Champagne Brunch at 11 am-2 pm.) For more information see our web site (winebaratthegrand.com). For reservations, which are recommended (especially during Antique Weeks), call 979-716-6988. rab Cakes Southern C lade sauce u o with Rem

10

2018 VINE & STEIN

www.winebaratthegrand.com 201 W Fayette St Fayetteville, TX 78940 Tel. 979.716.6988

T H E

WINE BAR R E S TAU R A N T AT THE GRAND FAYETTE H O T E L

Salmon with tequila lime cilantro sauce.

On Fayetteville’s Square. Reservations 979-716-6988.

Thur-Sat 5-9pm, Sunday Champagne Brunch 11am-2pm (and everyday during Antique Weeks).

LA GRANGE’S WINE FESTIVAL

7th Annual La Grange Uncorked

La Grange Main Street is getting ready for a seventh year of La Grange Uncorked and this year it’s a full weekend of fun activities February 15-17.

It’s a weekend of celebrating wine and food and is filled with events for couples, groups of friends and families.

Here is a rundown of activities:

Farm to Table Dinner, Friday, Feb. 15 6:30 p.m.

Catered by Bistro 108 and held at Celebrations! (127 N. Main), the dinner wil feature locally-sourced ingredients. The meal includes five-courses paired with four wines.

Downtown Wine Stroll Saturday, Feb.16 3-7 p.m.

Join other celebrants on the Courthouse Square for a wine stroll through historic downtown featuring wine tastings and food from 17 different vendors, and live music – plus fun activities for the younger set sponsored by Camp Lone Star.

Uncorked afterparty at Celebrations, Saturday, Feb. 16 7-11 pm Continue the party at Celebrations after the wine stroll. Great music as well as dancing and, of course, wine.

Gourmet Cooking Class at Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe Sunday, Feb. 17 12:30 p.m.

Get your tickets now to finish off the weekend with a gourmet cooking class at Le Petite Gourmet with wine pairings provided

by Rohan Meadery. This class is limited to the first 24 registrants.

For more information on the La Grange Uncorked weekend festivities, visit www.lagrangeuncorked.com or call the La Grange Visitors Bureau at (979)968-3017.

www.lagrangeuncorked.com La Grange Main Street & Visitors Bureau Tel. 979.968.3017 12

2018 VINE & STEIN

February 15-17, 2019 Only the finest

WAGYU BEEF!

Wagyu Beef Burger, Steaks, Fajitas & Beef Ribs - Call for price list Registered Wagyu Bulls, Heifers, & Embryos

512-633-0154

299 Boyd Road • Red Rock, Texas 78662 www.landgrafranch.com • kenny@landgrafranch.com

, RE IES O AR , & M S R GS VE NI DDIN N A E Y’S , W DA IONS H T N BIR REU Y L I AM

F

Check out our weekly menu for

HAPPY HOUR AND LADIES NIGHT SPECIALS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Farm to Table Dinner SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Uncorked Downtown Wine Stroll SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Gourmet Cooking Class

Contact us to become a member today!

979.968.3965 • COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE • LA GRANGE WWW.FAVCC.CLUB • FAVCC.INFO@GMAIL.COM

2018 VINE & STEIN

13

ALGETERNAL TECHNOLOGIES

Surprising use for Algae

By DAVID RAMJOHN Microalgae hold the answer to sustainable environmental, social and economic benefits beyond the petroleum horizon. Microalgae, the primary producers of any ecosystem they occupy, support all other organisms in higher trophic levels. If microalgae disappear, then ecosystems would collapse. Microalgae are Nature’s living microfactories, producing everything needed to sustain life.

AlgEternal Technologies harnesses these microorganisms to produce a wide range of products and services necessary to human life.

“We can grow microalgae using only sunlight, carbon dioxide, trace nutrients, and water”, says CEO of AlgEternal, David Ramjohn, “and it doesn’t have to be potable water; it can be municipal or industrial wastewater, which the algae decontaminate, or it can be saline or brackish water.”

AlgEternal, a La Grange-based algae biotechnology company, manufactures two product lines using microalgae grown at their facility at 3637 West State Highway 71, La Grange, TX 78945.

“AlgEternal has produced what can be described as two ‘skin care’ products using microalgae;” says Ramjohn, “Agtivate™ a natural soil amendment that treats soil, the ‘Earth’s skin’, and the AlgAllure™ AlgaRiche™ Facial Skin Care Collection, for human skin.” AlgEternal intends to expand their product offerings over time to include nutritional and pharmaceutical products since research shows that microalgae are superior in nutritional value and possess significant medicinal properties.

The AlgAllure AlgaRiche Collection comprises a cleanser, facial serum, daytime moisturizer, and night cream, all containing an extract from a marine red microalgal strain grown by AlgEternal.

The extract has documented beneficial properties on human skin such as antioxidant, hydrating, and wrinkle reducing, with no harsh chemicals.

According to Jennie Besal’s (SC) review on the AlgAllure Facebook page, “Wow! What a product! I’m 66 years old and have been switching skincare products all my life. Thanks to Algallure, I’ve finally found a regimen I’ll stick with. I didn’t believe it when Algallure promised to work on all skin types, but believe me, it does.

Both of my daughters, who are in their 30’s, are using it with the same miraculous results I’ve seen. What a game changer in skincare! Thank you!”

Agtivate undergoes independent testing at Texas A&M; results show using Agtivate on rice allows reduction of nitrogen by up to 75% while increasing yields by 900 pounds over untreated rice. “Agtivate returns soil to natural health, and healthy soils will grow anything,” says Ramjohn, “we’ve had great results on corn, hay, cotton, grapes, and garden vegetables—even on trees and ornamentals.”

www.algeternal.com | www.algallure.com www.agtivate.com 3637 W. State Hwy. 71 La Grange, TX 78945 Tel. 979.208.9932 or 9933 14

2018 VINE & STEIN

David Karisch (TX) had this to say about Agtivate: “I purchased a gallon of Agtivate™ at the Colorado Valley Independent Cattlemen’s Association Tradeshow in Ellinger earlier this year. I applied that gallon as directed to 10 acres of Tifton 85 and treated both this 10 acres and another 25 acres of Tifton 85 with the same nitrogen fertilizer blend and rates. On the other 25 acres I put another soil treatment, Medina Plus. I did the treatments of the whole 35 acres on the same day. The 10 acres of Agtivate-treated grass is now a good 6-8 inches taller than the other 25 acre patch and appears to taste better since my cows are happily grazing on the Agtivated grass! I’m truly impressed with Agtivate; best money I ever spent at a tradeshow!”

FLATONIA’S WINE EXPERIENCE

Wonderful Winter Wine Walk Girls Night out having tons of fun on th e Wine Wal k

s Rail l Texa r a r t n Ce nte ne ry Ce ng wi Histo eers servi t volun

Participants enjoying street music during the wine walk

Flatonia’s “Wonderful Winter Wine Walk” will be held on Friday, November 30, 2018. We invite you to join us for a fun filled evening of at least 20 samples of wine served and provided by our local businesses. Tickets are $ 20 and you receive a special 2018 wine glass, a list and map of the participating businesses. Pre-sale wine glasses go on sale on November 12 through November 30 at the Flatonia Chamber Office (208 E. N. Main St.) and at C & M Liquor Store (505 E. IH 10 Frontage Rd). The walk begins at 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. to the Civic Center for your last wine stop. The Merry Market, with a variety of arts and craft vendors, will be open to Wine Walk shoppers in the Civic Center at 8:30 p.m. A game of Wine Bottle Ring Toss will be available to participate in for a chance to win a nice bottle of wine. At 9:15 p.m. everyone is invited to show off your ugly sweater in the Ugly Sweater Contest with prizes going to the top throe more information visit www.flatoniachamber.com or call 361-865-3920.

www.FlatoniaChamber.com 208 E. North Main St. Flatonia, TX 78951 Tel. 361.865.3920

Young ladies on the Wonderful Win ter Wine Walk

16

2018 VINE & STEIN

Schwiki Media 1/4 V

2018 VINE & STEIN

17

CRAFT BEERS & WINES

Fourth Annual Oktoberfest in La Grange Fayette County in Central Texas has deep German roots. The Rotary Club of La Grange Oktoberfest pays homage to that history. Set for Saturday, Oct. 6 on the historic Fayette County Courthouse Square, this festival features 100 varieties of craft beer, authentic German cuisine and live music. A new addition to this year’s event is a mini wine trail around the Square.

The general admission ticket includes 12 samples of either beer or wine, live music, and a commemorative beer mug or wine glass.

Only 600 tickets are available for this year’s event.

Oktoberfest is aimed at the whole family. Children’s activities, sponsored by Camp Lone Star, will entertain the youngsters.

In its fourth year, no fall fest would be complete without music.

Under the event tents, enjoy live music from Los Kolaches and the Dujka Brothers.

The event, while fun, has a greater purpose. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million people who work to facilitate positive, lasting change in their communities. The 35,000-plus clubs share a responsibility to promote peace; fight disease; provide clean

water, sanitation and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; and grow local economies.

Locally, the Rotary Club of La Grange supports programs that annually provide more than $10,000 in local scholarships graduating high school seniors as well as raising more than $8,000 annually for Early Act First Knight programs in the La Grange school district. The Early Act First Knight program is a character education program for elementary and middle schools aimed at teaching and motivating students to become more civil, service-oriented people during their most formative years.

What to expect at the Rotary Club of La Grange Oktoberfest?

Sausage and pork schnitzel are complemented by the diverse array of craft beers and wines. Attendees dress in their Fraulein and lederhosen attire — to continue the German spirit of this familyfriendly event.

Organizers advise pre-planning: don’t wait til the day of to purchase tickets. And if you want schnitzel, get it early…once it’s gone, it’s gone til next year. Unless you have a German Oma. A commemorative t-shirt will be available for sale. Lodging options are available throughout the area; the Round Top Antiques Show finishes up this same weekend, so plan early for overnight stays.

www.VisitLaGrangeTX.com

Fayette County Courthouse Square

Tel. 979.968.3017

18

2018 VINE & STEIN

Rotary Club of La Grange presents

Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 3pm-7pm Fayette County Courthouse Square TICKETS $25

Authentic German Cuisine Kids Activities

Live Music

Craft Beer & Wine

Thank you to our Sponsors EVENT SPONSOR Event SponsorS La Grange Community Development & Tourism www.VisitLaGrangeTX.com 979-968-3017 Rotary Club of La Grange

Gold

Ginger Petroleum • Oviedo Auto Group

Silver

Colorado Valley Communications • Edward Jones Heritage Texas Country Properties National Bank & Trust • TASC • The Compound

Bronze

Algeternal Technologies • Brawley Dental Clinic Electric Motor Service • EMS Party Rentals Fayette County Veterinary Clinic • Hart Land Real Estate Kenmar Residential • La Grange Ford • La Grange Tire Lone Star Cleaners • Napa Tire • Old World Antieks Thrivent Financial – Phil Oestreich Willie Joe’s Processing & Meat Market

lling Now se Wine ravin

Co vation Preser ers! n Ope

226 W. Colorado St. ‘On the Square’ La Grange, TX 78945

979.968.4000

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK www.lepetitegourmetshoppe.com

To purchase tickets Call 979-968-3017 or visit www.VisitLaGrangeTX.com 2018 VINE & STEIN

19

KOOPER FAMILY RYE WHISKEY

Top Local Spirits

Troy and Mich elle Kooper, owne rs of Kooper Family Rye Whiskey, will op en a tasting room at their whiskey aging facility in Ledbetter on Se pt. 8

By ANDY BEHLEN Troy and Michelle Kooper of Kooper Family Rye Whiskey moved their operation from Dripping Springs to Ledbetter earlier this year.

They plan to open a tasting room on Sept. 8.

The Record visited with the Koopers on Tuesday, Aug. 21, in their newly-renovated building at 100 W. US 290 in Ledbetter, located across FM 1291 from Stuermer Store.

“Like typical Austinites, we always tried to do things ourselves,” Troy said of his company’s humble beginnings.’

Michelle produced homemade deodorant and toothpaste while Troy worked as a freelance graphics designer.

“We’ve always been big rye whiskey fans, so we were like, ‘Let’s make rye whiskey,’ but we were very nieve,” Troy said.

The couple constructed their first hobby still inside their home in Austin’s Hyde Park neighborhood.

“I went to the hardware store and got all this copper pipe and the people there asked me, ‘What do you need all this stuff for?’” Troy said. “That was back when ‘Breaking Bad’ was on TV. We had all the curtains drawn in the middle of the day with hoses running into the house. Luckily, no one paid real close attention.”

Through lots of trial and error, and spoiled batches, the Koopers slowly discovered the art of crafting a fine spirit.

Today they contract with large commercial distilleries in Indiana and Tennessee that produce raw unaged whiskey according to the Kooper’s recipe. They receive the raw product in Ledbetter where it ages for at least three years in oak barrels in a climate controlled environment. They started producing commercially six years ago and sold their first bottle three years ago.

The couple discovered the weather in Dripping Spring to be a little too dry for the whiskey aging process.

“We didn’t have a climate-controlled facility there, and we were losing a lot of product to evaporation,” Troy said.

Even in their climate controlled facility in Ledbetter, a sweet, heady aroma fills the air.

“When I think of whiskey, I think of the country, of a rural area, but Dripping Springs isn’t really the country anymore,” Troy said.

The couple said the final decision to move came when they saw their latest property tax bill for their home in Austin.

“Would you like a sample?” Troy asked.

20

2018 VINE & STEIN

It was shortly before noon on Tuesday, a fine time for a drink. Rye can be mixed to create classic drinks like Old Fashioneds, Manhattans and Mint Juleps – all of which were originally made with rye whiskey. But the Koopers prefer to drink it neat, poured in a glass without ice.

“It’s more peppery than Bourbon,” Troy said while pouring a glass.

“It’s nice and viscous, it really coats the tongue,” Michelle said.

The conversation soon drifted from the whiskey business to just whiskey. Troy explained that rye is a much older spirit than Bourbon, which is made from corn and only became popular in the late 19th century.

“When Texas became a state, Bourbon hadn’t really been invented yet,” Troy said. “When you read in history about Stephen F. Austin and the early colonists bringing barrels of whiskey into Texas, that was rye whiskey.”

Troy said the natural sweetness of Bourbon sometimes overpowers mixed drinks made with sugar or simple syrup.

“The rye is great in cocktails because you can put that sugar cube in and it punches through the sweetness,” he said.

A Gram Parsons song played on the radio, reminding Troy of a special 100-proof batch he plans to soon bottle, which he is calling “Sweetheart of the Rodeo.” It has been aging more than five years.

Their flagship rye whiskey measures 90-proof and retails at $40 for a 750 ml bottle. They also offer an undiluted barrel-strength rye that comes in at 115-proof.

The Kooper Family Rye tasting room will be open Fridays and Saturday beginning Sept. 8. The tasting room will be open 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays. They will offer $15 flights consisting of a sample of each of their three current whiskeys.

Single samples will be available as well. Customers can also purchase bottles to go at the tasting room.

Their products are not yet available at any spirit retailers in Fayette County, but they are sold at establishments such as Spec’s and Twin Liquors across the state. Find out more about the company online at www.kooperfamily.com.

www.KooperFamily.com Tasting Room Hours: Friday 4-8pm & Saturday 12-8pm

JERSEY BARNYARD SUNDOWNERS

Wine and Charcuterie

By FAITH FRERICHS The Jersey Barnyard invites you to the Farm to Table “Sundowners in the Summer.”

Join us for live music and charcuterie boards featuring Jersey Barnyard meats and cheese. It’s the best of seasonally inspired local and organic Texas artisan light h’orderves and complimentary drinks in the open air. Savor the food and sweet sounds of music all while watching the sun set over the vast fields of the farm and the city of La Grange. It’s a breathtaking view seen by few. It’s a Texas summer night at its finest. Bring your spouse, your date, your clients, or make it a girls night out. Tickets are limited, so grab them now. You won’t want to miss out. An 1800’s farmhouse on the family farm will be the setting for the first “Sundowner.” The British term, Sundowner, references an alcoholic beverage to be enjoyed at sundown after a day’s work. Combined with the French inspired charcuterie board, The Jersey Barnyard redefines a Sundowner with a Texas style.

Tickets are available on eventbrite.com.

Another new event happens this Fall, “Farm Work Day.” Gather your family or friends pack your gloves and paint brushes and head out to the farm for some farm work experience. Lunch and a pumpkin is included. Working on the farm is a hard but rewarding experience and many of life’s lessons can be learned.

Returning for it’s 20th year is The Jersey Barnyard’s Pumpkin Patch starting September 20. Make pumpkin picking an experience on our family farm. Watch our events page on our website for pumpkin painting.

It’s the 2nd year for The Great Pumpkin Run Texas 5K on November 10. Link is on the Pumpkin Run event page on our website. Sign up today.

www.TexasJersey.com 3117 State Hwy. 159 La Grange, TX 78945 Tel. 979.249.3406

EVENTS AT THE JERSEY BARNYARD

PURCHASE TICKETS from EVENTBRITE .COM British Tradition French Inspired Local Farm

Sept. 30, 2018 6:30 P.M.

Upcoming Events Sept. 20 – Pumpkin Patch Opens Sept. 30- Sundowner on the Farm w/Live Music Event location@ Fritz & Frieda’s Farmhouse Oct. 13 – Farm Work Day Nov. 10 - The Great Pumpkin Run Texas 5K

The Jersey Barnyard 3117 State Hwy 159 LaGrange, TX 78945 979-249-3406 2018 VINE & STEIN

21

MAJEK VINEYARD

A Czech Inspired Winery

By KARA KOETHER Majek Vineyard & Winery is a boutique Central Texas winery, conveniently located at 12508 FM 957 Schulenburg, TX 78956 between Austin, Houston and San Antonio. They get many visitors from Houston, South Austin, Victoria and San Antonio, but they’ve even had people come from overseas.

The business is owned by Lynne and Randy Majek, who grow Blanc Du Bois and Black Spanish grapes in their 1.5-acre vineyard. Majek Vineyard is also a proud member of the Texas Independence Wine Trail. Lynne and Randy derived their inspiration to start their own winery from memories of family gatherings including music, food and Grandpa’s Czech homemade wine. These fond memories have led the Majek’s to share their passion for Texas music, local artists and Texas wine. They also serve native sausage and cheese plates.

Part of this vineyard’s success can be accredited to the region’s history with wine: Moravia in Texas was settled by folks from the Moravia region in Czechoslovakia in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which was the region known for its wine.

Majek Vineyard’s best-selling red wine is their 2015 Cardinal’s Crown, a dry blend.

The vineyard is open from 4-7 p.m. on Fridays and from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Their Grand Opening was back on March of 2014, though they planted in 2013 and didn’t start making wine until 2016, after they had their first harvest in 2015.

Majek Vineyard hosts several events throughout the year for guests to enjoy, such as grape stomps and live local music. They also sell goods from local merchants and craftsmen, such as housewares by Cment2B in Schulenburg, cutting boards and wooden items by La Grange Woodcrafts, local olive oils and jellies.

www.majekvineyard.com 12508 FM 957 Schulenburg, TX 78956 Tel. 210.413.8912

Tasting Room Hours: Friday 4-7pm, Saturday-Sunday 12-6pm 22

2018 VINE & STEIN

One special aspect of their winery is the Majek Wine Club, which is a special group whose members enjoy exclusive events, discounts on merchandise, limited release wines and insider pricing on both the Tasting Room and online store. Members also receive four automated orders per year of Majek wines and Club Members can choose either Sweet, Dry or Surprise Me selections. More requirements for the Majek Wine Club can be found on their website, www.majekvineyard.com.

For more information, feel free to call (210) 413-8912 or email Lynne at lynne@majekvineyard.com.

AD INDEX AlgEternal Technologies.....................................15 Bistro 108....................................................................4 Blue Mule Wines......................................................2 La Grange Uncorked...........................................13 Flatonia Chamber Wine Walk........................17 Frisch Auf! Valley Country Club.....................13 The Grand Fayette Hotel.....................................11

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Reserve your spot in the 2019 Vine & Stein Issue.

Jersey Barnyard Wine & Cheese..................21 Landgraf Ranch......................................................13 Le Petite Gourmet Shoppe...............................19 Ma jek Vineyard and Winery...........................24 Rohan Meadery........................................................7 Rosemary’s Vineyard & Winery.......................9 Oktoberfest La Grange......................................19 Oktobierfest Round Top......................................9 Schuber........................................................................9 Shweiki Media......................................................….17 Texas Czech Heritage Center Muziky..........9 Vin 114..........................................................................5 Weise Farms............................................................17

Do you have a brewery, distillery, or winery?

Is your business represented here?

We can help bring customers to you!

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER, TWICE EVERY WEEK

979.968.3155

127 S. Washington St. | La Grange www.FayetteCountyRecord.com

2018 VINE & STEIN

23

majekvineyard.com

follow us!

Upcoming Events Live Music every 1st Saturday First Sunday Brunch, every first Sunday Wild Game Dinner, Sat Nov 10

Fri 4-7pm, Sat-Sun 12-6pm

Where is this place?

12508 FM 957 Schulenburg, TX 78956 24

2018 VINE & STEIN

Book a tasting t oda

y!

Holler at us!

210.413.8912