It’s Labor Day holiday, and an important time for Texas winemakers as they celebrate their harvest season which for some begins in mid-July, and extends in through August-September. The concept of “Labor of Love” in Texas winemaking is fitting, as the process requires a deep passion and commitment, especially given the unique climate and vast geography of the state. Texas winemakers face challenging conditions, such as intense heat and unpredictable weather, which makes their labor particularly demanding. However, this also instils a sense of great pride and dedication amongst those in the industry. Labor Day often marks the culmination of their hard work, as grapes harvests have reached their peak, and wineries are now preparing to host grand events in October, celebrating the fruits of their labor, and Texas Wine Month. Many Texas wineries are hosting special events for Texas Wine Month in October that feature vineyard tours, wine tastings, and live music. This year the Texas Hill Country Wineries organization is celebrating their 25th Anniversary of Texas winemaking, this is not just about the wine, but about the community and tradition that surrounds it. For all Texas winemakers, it’s a moment to reflect on the love and hard work they’ve poured into their craft.

Over the summer and this Labor Day weekend, I’ve tasted some exceptional Texas Rosé wines. Yes, Texas Rosé wines have become increasingly popular over the years, with vineyards across the state producing excellent varieties. Like many of my fellow Texans who love and enjoy wine, I’m proud to see many Texas winemakers view their craft as a “labor of love” driven by a deep passion for viticulture and a desire to express the unique terroir of the Texas Hill Country, High Plains, and other regions. The combination of those hot days, cool nights, and diverse soil types have resulted in a wide array of Rosé wines that are vibrant, fresh, and have delicious flavors of ripe red berries, watermelon, and citrus, with a refreshing acidity.

Highlighted below are are some of my favorite Texas Rosé wines tasted over this summer, there are a few still wines, as well as semi-sparkling, or sparkling with a wide range of sweetness levels too. Since I’m in a celebratory Labor Day mood, I’m starting with the sparkling wine because they’re quite unique.

2022 Branch Tannat Frizzante Rosé This sparkling Rosé made with Tannat grapes is so fun, and fruity. I had the pleasure of receiving a sample of this Texas Fine Wine last year. It's softly semi-sweet to dry effervescent and a remarkably refreshing Rosé. It was a pleasant surprise recently, to find this lovely summer sipper readily available at the HEB Central Market. I gladly purchased a few bottles for my Saturday "Rosé All Day" party and then a Sunday brunch. Yes, keep it chilled well, pop the top, and enjoy with everything brunchy and desserts too.

Ron Yates Cinsault Pétillant Nature l... let's say "Pét-Nat" for short, and another unique Ron Yates sparkling vino too. You got to love Ron's eccentric style, "Méthode Ancienne" winemaking technique with this wine, focused on the traditional, and distinctive artisanal craftmanship. Cinsault grapes sourced from the Texas High Plains Farmhouse Vineyards. This sparkling vino is more of a pinky orange Rosé wine, slightly on the cloudy side since it is made in a traditional ancient process, and delicious too. Some red fruit, strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, some citrus, and just a hint of earthiness, I'd say some similarities to some orange wines I've previously tasted. I'm a big fan of Ron's groovy wines. The trick with these particular sparkling wines is to keep them very, very cold before you pop the top.

William Chris Vineyards 2023 Pétillant Naturel Rosé, I recently tasted this fantastic sparkling Rosé wine at a Modern Luxury Houston Magazine event in mid-August. It was pleasure to find a few bottles of this sparkling vino at the Houston Wine Merchant to enjoy for this Labor Day holiday weekend. Again, this sparkling vino is made with grapes sourced from the Texas High Plains, however in the "Méthode Ancestrale" versus "Méthode Ancienne". Both of theses terms celebrate the the heritage of winemaking, but "Méthode Ancienne" is more about the preservation of the craftmanship, while the "Méthode Ancestrale" is a specific technique for creating sparkling wines in a natural and unrefined way. At any rate, this sparkling Rosé is distinctively delicious!

The Grower Project Double Orange Muscat, I'm bolding the description below written by the Houston Wine Merchant for this Rosé or Orange wine because the overview so perfectly describes this still wine. I don't think, I could not have summarized these thoughts, or details better. "This wine is “double orange” since it uses Orange Muscat grapes to make an orange style of wine. Orange wine uses the skins of a white grape variety to make a wine with a lot of structure and usually a golden color. For this wine, the grapes were sustainably sourced and fermented with natural, wild yeast found on the berry skins. On the nose comes yellow apple, mandarin orange peel, nectarine pit, golden raisin, and stewed apricot wrapped in a bouquet of wilting flowers and stone. With a bone-dry cider-like palate, it is vibrant, and tingling, with stewed fruits and a tense phenolic grip. Lingering while lifting." The Grower Project is a collaboration between Lost Draw's Andrew Sides and Rae Wilson, founder, and winemaker of Wine for the People, which produces Dandy Rosé, and La Valentia.

My good friend and wine bestie Katrina Rene, the wine writer TheCorkscrewConcierge gifted me a bottle of this memorable Texas FCV Rosé Cuvée by Frio Canyon Vineyard . I loved it so much, I went to the Houston Wine Merchant for a second bottle for my summer soirée last week. Of course, this vino was a Rosé party favorite. My wine friend Marcus Gausepohl from the Texas Wine Merchant said, and his exact words regarding this wine, "It's a true labor of love". Yes Marcus, I agree, it is!

Another labor of love in my book is C.L. Butaud's "Blanc De Noir" . This Rosé is made with 100% Mourvèdre grapes, or as the winery describes it, this is a white wine made by a red grape. Either way, it's a remarkable Rosé with a lovey story behind it, inspired by the book, La Buvette, from the authors Camille Fourmont & Kate Leahy. An excellent wine.

Bending Branch Winery 2023 Tannat Rosé, A Texas Hill Country favorite of mine made with grapes from Tallent Vineyards. There's no question that here in state of Texas the Tannat grape yields more than just robust red wines, but some outstanding still Rosé too, and one of my favorites, their Tannat sparkling Frizzante!

Duchman Family Winery 2022 Dry Rosé. An any season Rosé, full of juicy red fruits, good acidity, and just perfect for anytime of the year...summer, fall, winter, and spring. Bonus, is their new Grape Growers BBQ Rosé and a perfect match for those grill masters, and yes, participant wine lovers who enjoy grilling outdoors year-round. Whether it's in the heat of the summer or the chill of winter this BBQ Rosé is a perfect sipping and grill partner for those who share a passion for great food and wine.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I celebrated National Wine Day with my wine friends, and joined them with The Drunken Cyclist aka Dr. Jeff Kralik who hosts his annual "All American Rosé Blind Tasting" event. This year Dr. Kralik featured 64 American made Rosé from U.S. wineries located in California, Oregon, Washington, and Texas.

I was elated to taste how wonderfully these Texas wines faired within the blind tasting mix, and amongst the robust list of exceptional U.S. wineries. Cheers to Ron Yates 2022 Grenache Rosé, Spicewood Vineyards 2023 Cinsault Rosé, Pedernales Cellars 2022 Over the Moon Rosé, and one of my listed favorites the "perfect 10" Duchman Family Winery 2022 Dry Rosé. These Texas Rosé wines stood up to the blind taste along with many of the best Rosé wines made in the U.S. today.

These are just some of the wonderful Texas Rosé wines, I’ve tasted this summer. A “Labor of Love” in Texas winemaking which embodies the resilience and passion of those who are a part of this growing industry, as they work together to produce wines that have gained increasing recognition on the national, and international stage. Texas winemakers have dedicated years to perfecting their craft, and these Rosé wines are a reflection of that dedication. They’ve crafted great wines in a challenging Texas climate which requires careful attention to timing of harvest combined with their winemaking process. Many Texas wineries are family owned, and operated, further iterating their heart-felt personal commitment, care, and that labor of love that goes into every bottle.

¡Felicidades!

A Labor of Love “Texas Rosé”

Not just a pretty Rosé wine label…