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Posts by Do Bianchi

Feb 29

old settlers music festival

Duchman is a proud sponsor of the Old Settler’s Music Festival

We are thrilled to announce that the Duchman Family Winery will be the exclusive wine sponsor of the Old Settler’s Music Festival, April 19-22, Driftwood, Texas, in the Salt Lick BBQ Pavillion and Camp Ben McCulloch.

Old Settler’s Music Festival is a nationally known music festival featuring the best in roots and Americana music. The festival is held in the gorgeous Texas hill country, at the height of the Bluebonnet and wildflower season. Old Settler’s Music Festival offers great music and activities for the whole family.

The Festival is held at Salt Lick Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch, just minutes from Austin, located 11 miles south of Highway 290 West on Farm Road 1826.

Enjoy over two dozen bands on four stages as well as performance workshops, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, music store, and a youth talent competition. Thursday nights are special at Old Settler’s with a “Settle In” show on the Camp Ben stage from 4:30 to midnight. Friday afternoon features another bonus for campers — the Camp Ben Jam from noon to 4 pm at the Camp Ben Stage. Friday and Saturday, we move across the street to the Salt Lick Pavilion with three different stages operating from 4 pm to midnight on Friday and 11 am to midnight on Saturday. Sunday, back at Camp Ben, wake up to some “pickin & prayin” gospel, all around goodtime final show that begins at 10 am and closes around 5 pm. Campers can greet the morning with the yoga masters on Friday and Saturday mornings.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.

Feb 22

Duchman Vermentino “a keeper” writes Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle

Top Houston wine writer Dale Robertson reports that his monthly tasting panel found “several keepers” at their recent meeting. Here’s what Dale had to say about the 2010 Vermentino by Duchman Family Winery:

2010 Duchman Vermentino

Overall Score: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value)

Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with a high score of 9.2. “Crisp and tart … perfect for the patio.”

My score: 8.9. Duchman winemaker Dave Reilly says the wine, made from Bingham Family Vineyards High Plains grapes, is the best he’s ever made, and we won’t argue with him. As acclaimed as the ’09 was, this trumps it. Nicely acidic, the wine is full of citrus flavors, especially grapefruit, with a long, satisfying finish. Note, too that Duchman’s ’10 Viognier, at the same price, scored just a hair lower.

Click here to read about the other wines reviewed in today’s edition of the Houston Chronicle.

Feb 15

Taste Duchman wines for FREE @ SXSW

Click here to find out where/when you can taste Duchman Family wines for FREE at SXSW (March 14-16).

Photo via Collective Vision (Austin American Statesman).

Feb 8

history duchman winery

The Duchman Family Winery Story…

In 2004, when they founded the Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood, Texas — the “heart” of the Texas Hill Country and Texas Wine Trail — Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman had a dream of sharing their passion for Italian grape varieties with their fellow Texan wine lovers.

In part, they wanted to do “something that no one else was doing,” says Stan, one of the premier cardiologists in the state and country today. But the true inspiration came from a love of Italian food, wine, and culture that the couple had nurtured since they first began to travel to Europe together.

“I grew up on a farm in Iowa,” recounts Stan, “and I’ve always wanted to return to my family’s farming roots. Building a winery in the Hill Country of Central Texas was the perfect way to do it. But while most of the established wineries there were focused on the classic French grape varieties grown in California — Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon etc. — Lisa and I wanted to work with the great food-friendly grapes of Italy, the same varieties that had accompanied so many unforgettable meals there.”

Read more

Feb 2

scott ota driskill

Sommelier Profile: Scott Ota, Driskill Hotel (Austin)

We recently had the good fortune to catch up with sommelier Scott Ota, who took a break from studying for upcoming sommelier and wine educator certification exams to chat with us about the Duchman Family Winery Orange Muscat — now featured by the glass on his wine list at the legendary Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin, Texas.

“I didn’t put the wine by the glass on our list because it’s a Texas wine,” said Scott, whose meteoric rise on the Austin wine scene took him from being a server at Jezebel on Congress to wine director at the Driskill in just a few short years.

“I put it on my list because it’s a great wine. And it’s a great value. When I’m drinking Texas wine or any wine, if it doesn’t have value, I don’t want to serve it to my guests.”

The not-yet-thirty-year-old Scott is one of the most dynamic personalities on the Texas wine scene today and is currently working toward achieving Master Sommelier certification from the Guild of Master Sommeliers.

He was kind enough to take a break from his studies and speak with us on a Monday night, his night off. Look for Scott at the Driskill every other evening of the week: on Monday’s, you’ll find him tucked away in one of the corners of this historic Austin eatery, his laptop and Hugh John’s World Atlas of Wine within hand’s reach…

Jan 30

2009 Vermentino DMN TexSom

Texas Gold: Duchman Vermentino winner of Dallas Morning News Gold Medal

Presented in conjunction with the Texas Sommelier Association, the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition is one of the leading wine competitions in the United States today.

With a panel formed by a cosmopolitan group of top wine writers, wine professionals, and winemakers (including leading wine experts from Texas and the West and East Coasts of the U.S.), the competition is now in its twenty-eighth year.

At last year’s tasting, the 2009 Duchman Vermentino took home the GOLD! And we here at the Duchman Family Winery were proud to represent Texas on a world stage at such a prestigious event and competition.

Click here for all the winners.

Jan 26

1 Comment

Beautiful spread at Memorial Wine Cellar in Houston!

A special thanks to Dwayne and Mary Harrison owners of Memorial Wine Cellar in Houston (from left with Dr. Stan Duchman) for the GORGEOUS spread the presented last night for the debut of the Duchman Family Winery’s new vintage!

And thanks to all the guests who came out to taste the new wines!

Jan 13

Historic Driskill Hotel adds Duchman Orange Muscat by the glass…

We thrilled to announce that the historic Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin has added our Orange Muscat by the glass as one of its “local wine” offerings!

Drink Texan, drink local, drink Duchman!

Jan 7

buy texas wine online best

Shop online

Can’t make it down to Driftwood to pick up your favorite Duchman Family wines?

There’s an easy solution: shop online at the Duchman Family Winery Shop!

We’ll ship the wines to you!

Multiple-bottle discounts and expedited shipping available!

Click here to start shopping now!

Jan 4

winery wedding

Duchman Family Winery Events: Join Our Wine Club for a 10% Discount on your Event Package

Image via Photography by Vanessa.

Hello Bride!  Congratulations are in order and what an exciting year it will be for the planning of your wedding.  We invite you for a complimentary tour and tasting at Duchman Family Winery, just a short drive from Austin.  It may be just what you have in mind for your special day with our fabulous selection of award-winning Texas wines.  We offer both indoor and outdoor space, with beautiful Hill Country views complimented by a breathtaking sunset and our lush vineyards as a possible backdrop for your wedding, or consider our venue for just the reception, rehearsal dinner or engagement party.

Join Our Wine Club and receive a 10% discount on our events package in addition to extra discounts on wine for your event!

To schedule a private tour and tasting, please let us know.  We would love to be considered for your special day or anything that surrounds it!

Lisa Elliott, Director of Special Events
Lisa.elliott@duchmanwines.com
512.858.1470 ex 107

Cathleen Berdan, Event Supervisor
cathleen@duchmanwines.com
512.858-1470 ex 109

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