An afternoon surrounded by absolute greenery, good company and a bottle of Roussanne for the table. This was my afternoon at Signor Vineyards.

On the Hwy 290 Wine Trail, amongst the vast trail of wineries and vineyards, we found this place by surprise. Initially heading to a different winery, the two-story farmhouse from afar called for us to take a closer look. Cream umbrellas charmed us. Most importantly, the rows of vines were set so closely. You almost touch them. They invited us to line up amongst the rest for a tasting. With that, we ventured closer.

The farmhouse was a rustic getaway. It looked beautiful to live in. It was uniquely decorated to show Texas charm. There was a serene atmosphere to peruse boutique-like pleasures. The tasting room, a place all its own, was settled near the walkway up ahead of the entrance. It all displayed what the Hill Country life and unique design in Texas can offer.

As you walk closer, an abundance of trees shade the way inside. This is due to a long history that comes from the owner’s great-grandfather. He planted many trees. He contributed greatly to trees being found overall in small towns like this.

Amongst the lush of greenery, we walked into a quaint but spacious patio area. There was an outdoor wine bar serving wine by the glass. It was perfect for guests wanting to hear live music and enjoy the picturesque scenery.

Vines are laid out close enough for guests to admire. Most grapes, like the ones displayed here, are grown on their property for their estate bottles. They also have a home in Oregon. Wines will be labeled after the Willamette Valley AVA that they were grown in. Closely the Pedernales River ensures cool temperature during the warmer seasons in Texas for these grapes.

The Estate wines offer grape varietals that have been fruitful in Texas soils. Through experimentation and years of dedication, this vineyard has put their best grapes ahead. Varietals like Tempranillo and Blanc de Noir, which have been very successful in Texas, can be found here thriving. Other varietals, which are unknown or rarely heard of in the United States due to their scarcity in other countries, have made their way to Texas. This is yet another reason to explore Texas wines.

Our bottle was a bright and lively wine. It had citrus notes and white peaches. It was a pretty pairing for a warm summer day in the shade. Roussanne is a classic Rhone grape variety from France, most distinctive for being floral. Texas has in turn displayed a great expression for Rhone style blends. Grapes like Roussanne showcase the distinctive terroir that the Texas High Plains AVA can offer. These grapes are well known from old world wines. Roussanne, being a common blended grape in France, speaks for itself as a single varietal in the bottle.

Signor Vineyards is much more than a quick stop. However, seeing as my trip was short, it is an open invitation to seek further.

I’ll be looking forward to exploring their tasting room next. They are welcoming to non members for this. Next exploration here will go deeper into their reds and what they have to say for each other. Stay tuned!

---

– Silk & Luna

---