Business Briefs

Dr. Robert Young.

deo International Wine Competition. My favorite wines recently tasted there are: Estate Picpoul Blanc Lost Pirogue Vineyard 2018 at $32; Ursa Mencia (a Spanish varietal) Alta Mesa Silvaspoons Vineyards 2017 at $25; Texas Tannat (a French varietal) 2017 at $30; Double Barrel Tannat (finished in Kentucky bourbon barrels) 2017 at $38 and Tannat Texas Hill Country Tallent Vineyards 2016 at $50.

Bending Branch Tannats have been huge winners at the Houston Rodeo International Wine Competition. As an aside, Bending Branch hosts a super-fun Kentucky Derby Day with a leviathan screen for several hundred wine club members every year.

Fredericksburg is the final destination for shopping, good food and sleeping arrangements – easy to find on the internet. While there, try to include The Nimitz Museum, but only if you have at least two hours. I spent three. It is absolutely fascinating and a superb learning experience.

Regarding shopping, one could spend most of a day traversing in and out of the quaint, little shops along the main thoroughfare. The stores are usually open from 10 am to 6 pm, and many other wonderful wineries abound. Just check out Fredericksburg wineries on the internet. I guarantee you will find at least five more wineries that you will want to visit if you google Texas Hill Country wines. Plan for a third full day if possible. The wineries are generally open daily from 10 or 11 to 5 or 6. With regard to all wineries, call ahead, especially with a group of four or more, to check hours, availability and reservations for private tastings.

Perfect Hill Country Wine Days Tour 830.995.2948

Fall Creek Vineyards Driftwood 512.858.4050 Inwood Estates Vineyards 830.997.2304

The Salt Lick 512.858.4959

Pedernales Cellars 830.997.8600

830.644.2037

Becker Vineyards Bending Branch Winery

The Nimitz Museum 830.644.2681

Texas Association of Builders Awards Johnson Development Developer of the Year

Johnson Development was awarded seven trophies in the Texas Association of Builders’ Star Awards – including the coveted Grand Award for Developer of the Year. It is the third consecutive year the Houston-based firm has won Developer of the Year honors, having won the title in 2019 from the Dallas Builders Association and in 2018 from the Greater Houston Builders Association.

“It is gratifying to be named Developer of the Year for the entire state especially as we’ve expanded our holdings into other Texas markets these past few years,” said Larry Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Development, a company he founded in 1975. “We are honored to be included among so many highly regarded colleagues and to create communities for people who value lifestyle and connection to neighbors and nature.”

Johnson Development has been named Developer of the Year in the 2020 Texas Star Awards by the Texas Association of Builders.

Another Star Award went to Allison Bond, who was named Marketing Professional of the Year for her work at Johnson’s Sienna community located in Missouri City.

Bryson in Leander took home three awards – including Best Overall Community 300 to 599 acres. Earlier this year, Bryson was named Master-Planned Community of the Year by the Austin Business Journal. Bryson also won Star Awards for Best Website and Best Print Ad.

Other Johnson Development Star Awards included Best Sales Brochure for Harvest Green in Richmond and Best Special Event for Trinity Falls near McKinney.

Johnson Development has 17 active communities – 13 in the Houston area, two in Dallas-Fort Worth, one in the Austin area and one in Atlanta. These communities are located on 47,500 acres and have entitlements to build more than 80,000 residential units and 16.7 million square feet of commercial and retail space. Six of these communities are ranked among the nation’s top-selling developments, according to a mid-year report by housing research firm Robert Charles Lesser & Co. (RCLCO). Johnson Development has had more communities ranked among the top-selling than any other developer in the nation since 2014. Visit www.johnsondevelopment.com for more information.