• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Kids Events in Austin this Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Tasting Innovation at The Austin Winery in South Austin

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Guest Blogger

The Austin Winery Tasting Room

The Austin Winery at The Yard development in South Austin (Credit: Susannah Haddad)

Guest article by Susannah Haddad

Upon arriving at The Austin Winery, it’s clear that The Yard development in South Austin is going to be big. Currently home to businesses like St. Elmo Brewery, Vuka, Spokesman Coffee, and soon Still Austin Whiskey Co., the city’s first whiskey distillery, The Yard supports local while offering plenty to do.

Co-founders Ross McLauchlan and Cooper Anderson have been making wine since long before The Austin Winery had feet. With their balanced skill set and a gap in the Austin market, they enlisted the help of Matthew Smith, third co-founder and Chief of Operations, then opened their doors.

Walking in, you know these guys don’t mess around with innovation and efficiency. The open warehouse space not only houses a tasting room, but also The Austin Winery’s office and production facility.

Innovation Intersecting Tradition

The Austin Winery Entrance

Entrance to The Austin Winery (Credit: Susannah Haddad)

One visit to The Austin Winery’s tasting room, website, or vineyards, and it’s clear sustainability is at the forefront of their ideals. Sourcing from biodynamic vineyards, shipping grapes rather than finished product to reduce freight costs, and using locally-made glass bottles and recycled corks are a few ways the company reduces its carbon footprint.

The start-from-scratch model has made implementing these new methods much easier than it would be for The Austin Winery’s hundred-year-old traditional winery counterparts. The model also means the main focus is on quality over quantity. While national growth may be in the 10-year plan, the next few years are dedicated to perfecting and increasing current production at a “slow and steady pace,” while educating customers about the bright future of Texas-made wines.

Texas Wines Get a Bad Rap

Work House The Austin Winery

Work Horse, The Austin Winery team’s current favorite (Credit: Susannah Haddad)

“California wines were scoffed at by aficionados through the 70’s,” McLauchlan said. Texas grapes are now the youngest of an ancient lineage, but McLauchlan seems certain that with more time and education, Texas wines can shed the bad rap and get the notice they deserve. While a good percentage of The Austin Winery’s grapes come from the High Plains of Texas (south of the Texas panhandle), the business sources grapes from California and Washington, as well.

From Quarter Horse, which might become my go-to red wine to pair with dark meat, to Euphoria, the winery’s first and only bagged wine, perfect for summer festivities around town, all The Austin Winery wines have a distinct personality.

The team favorite is Work Horse, made from Texas grapes consisting of merlot and petit verdot varietals, which come together to create the ideal glass of evening red wine.

Visit The Austin Winery

The Austin Winery Production

The Austin Winery open warehouse houses the company’s office, production facility, and tasting room
(Credit: Susannah Haddad)

The Austin Winery aims for delicious, thoughtful, and affordable wines, while emphasizing appreciation and education for the blue collar work behind the magic of wine making.

Interested in trying some of their wines? Find them at local favorites such as Buenos Aires Cafe, Epicerie, Winebelly and other local businesses. You can also visit The Austin Winery tasting room at 440 E. Saint Elmo Road, A1. It’s open six days a week (closed Monday) with varying hours. They request you make reservations for groups of 8 or more, and private parties are also available.

Website

@theAustinot wants to know:

Do you have a favorite Texas wine?

Susannah Haddad is a native Austinite and artist. After leaving Austin for school and, she made it back to Austin and still calls it home. She loves gardening, reading and making art.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogger
Guest Blogger
Latest posts by Guest Blogger (see all)
  • Best Austin Restaurants With a View – 8 Most Scenic Places to Eat - October 8, 2022
  • 7 Best Austin Restaurants With a View: Most Scenic Places to Eat - October 21, 2021
  • DipDipDip Tatsu-ya Is Making Austin Go Wild Over Shabu Shabu - January 27, 2020

Filed Under: Drink, Food & Drink Tagged With: texas wine, the yard, wine, winery

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Best Events in Austin in July 2025

Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025

Things to do in Austin this Summer

Keep It Cool: 2025’s Hottest Things to Do in Austin This Summer

Summer Camps in Austin 2025

Summer Camps in Austin 2025 – STEM, Sports, Arts & More Top Programs Your Kids Will Love

Things To Do in Austin With Teens

50 Things to do in Austin with Teens| Fun Teenager Activities

Recent Posts

  • Best Fun Events in Austin July 11 -13
  • 4th of July Fireworks in Austin Tonight – What to Know Now
  • Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in Austin (2025)
  • Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of July 4 Include Star Spangled Fest, Divine Carnival: Reimagining the Odyssey, and More!
  • Top Kids Events in Austin July 4 – July 6 include Star Spangled Fest, Kids Day, and More!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in