wine - The Austinot

Be Transported to Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in Downtown Austin

April 13, 2018 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Build the stage, bring the bands, and your audience will follow (Credit: Parker Jazz Club)

Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at Parker Jazz Club in downtown Austin. Situated underground like all the coolest clubs, Parker Jazz Club acts as an incubator for the music and the sensibility of another era. Set your sights on a whole new music experience, complemented by classic cocktails and a sultry aura.

Despite Austin’s outspoken love for live music, we are somewhat lacking in world-class, traditional jazz. Parker Jazz Club intends to change that. Jazz music evokes a host of strong feelings for many, calling to mind a different time and place. Walking down the staircase into the dark, elegant club, I felt as though I could be in Chicago, New York, or Paris in the ’20s or ’50s. By design, Parker Jazz Club stands apart from the typical downtown Austin bar. [Read more…]

Roll Out the Barrel: Notable Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

March 23, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

Wine tasting in the Perissos vineyard
(Credit: Matt McGinnis)

When I sent in my RSVP for the annual Roll Out the Barrel event, I was signing up for three winery visits in one day. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into, certified sommelier Matt McGinnis clued me in. Roll Out the Barrel is a Texas take on the time-honored tradition of hosting en primeur tastings of newly available wine for journalists and wine professionals, traditionally held in Bordeaux each spring.

Although far from France, Texas Hill Country is definitely becoming known for wine. Thanks to my intimate, first-hand experience during Rolling Out the Barrel, I now have a better understanding of why. Here’s what I learned from three day-trip-worthy Texas wineries.

Thank you to the vineyards featured in this article for allowing me to attend Roll Out the Barrel at no charge. All opinions are my own. [Read more…]

Indulge in Fine Wine and Local Food at Big Reds & Bubbles

November 6, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)

Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.

[Read more…]

That’s Not All! The Yard Overflows With Cool Hangouts in South Austin

October 9, 2017 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Spokesman Coffee serves coffee, beer, and cider at The Yard (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

The Yard, Austin’s home to the next generation of local movers, shakers, and—above all—makers, makes the quick trip south of Ben White worth it. Whether you crave high quality coffee, award-winning wine, a place for your band to jam, or a beach volleyball haven, you’ll find what you want a mere 10 minutes from downtown. Not to mention whiskey, beer, and Thai food. This is the second installment in my series highlighting the talented people setting up shop at this development in south Austin. [Read more…]

Tasting Innovation at The Austin Winery in South Austin

June 30, 2017 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

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, [Read more…]

Available to Austinites Only, Dandy Rosé Is Made With All Texas Grapes

June 9, 2017 by Caitlin Johnson Leave a Comment

Dandy Rosé, made in Austin

Dandy Rosé is the only wine in the world made especially for Austinites. Its creator, Rae Wilson, has even more to brag about: this Austin-exclusive rosé is made from 100 percent Texas grapes.

Wilson considers her rosé, now in its fourth year of production, to be “a love letter to Austin.” The sommelier-turned-winemaker is proving to the rest of the country that authentic and complex wine can be grown and produced in Texas. [Read more…]

Best Spots to Sit & Sip a Glass of Wine in Austin

January 3, 2017 by Jessica Pino 9 Comments

I’m a recovering wine snob. Years ago, I only drank high-end bottles with other wine snob friends. We would eat cheese while sipping, sniffing and discussing wines. Then I moved to Italy, where delicious wines cost as little as $5.

And then it hit me.

It’s not about this varietal or that vintage, or even what pairs best with what. It’s simpler than that. Much like any alcoholic beverage of choice, you drink it because you like it. And the reason you drink is to celebrate friends, family, careers or life events.

Here are some top-notch spots to sit and sip a glass of wine in Austin with your closest friends, family or colleagues. They aren’t necessarily the most high-end in town, but they’ve got soul. [Read more…]

5 Grown-up Austin Wine Venues With Tasty Food Options

October 13, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan 4 Comments

Lenoir’s sun-dappled wine garden also offers savory dishes and desserts

Find your wine-soaked bliss paired with delicious food at these classy Austin wine locales. All these places will satisfy your cravings for delicious wine and food, and won’t break the bank if you plan ahead. [Read more…]

Austin’s laV Earns National Recognition for Food and Wine

August 28, 2015 by Natalie Parra-Novosad 1 Comment

laV wine bar

Editor’s Note: laV has permanently closed, as of January 1, 2016.

LaV was recently named among U.S. Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 list of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants, and for good reason. Their wine selection is exceptional and they employ two advanced sommeliers. The two-story wine cellar at laV houses over 1,200 different selections, and the wine menu is a book with a much-needed table of contents.

To put laV’s accomplishments into perspective, it is one of only 19 restaurants on Wine Enthusiast’s list in the south. It’s the only one of eight in Texas, and the sole representative in Austin. [Read more…]

Experience Texas Wine and Food at Tour de Vin 2015

August 26, 2015 by Natalie Parra-Novosad Leave a Comment

Tour de Vin 2015 is right around the corner

Twin Liquors at Hancock Center hosted a sneak peek wine tasting event last week for the upcoming Tour de Vin, an annual festival from the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas. Vendors and wineries gave a preview of some of the wines they’ll be presenting during Tour de Vin at the Fair Market on September 17th. The pre-tasting event featured mostly California wines, but Tour de Vin will include several wines from Texas and around the world. [Read more…]