Hilmy Cellars
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Hilmy Cellars in Fredericksburg, Texas is a relatively young winery, concentrating on making quality, small batch wines. According to the winery they are winemakers first, spending their lives to make the best wines they can.
Visitors to Hilmy Cellars will encounter a large cactus garden in front of the tasting room. Many kinds and sizes of cacti decorate the front of the winery and tasting room. Inside, the tasting room has a long tasting counter and a number of wine related items to browse. A patio is available for enjoying a glass of wine and for small events. Blankets are available in the tasting room for use on the patio.
Hilmy Vineyards
Erik and Neldie Hilmy, owners and winemaker at Hilmy Cellars began preparing the soil for the onsite vineyard in 2008. In 2009 they planted their first vineyard and in 2012 opened Hilmy Cellars’ tasting room. Erik has always been interested in fermentation. While in college he made moonshine and beer. From there he became interested in making wine.
The first vineyard “Home Block” consists of three acres of Sangiovese planted in 2009. The second vineyard with 2.5 acres is the “South Block” and was planted in 2012. The South Block has Petit Verdot and Tannat varieties. All grapes are hand harvested. The Hilmys also source grapes from other Texas vineyards.
Insect control is achieved with a flock of guinea fowl. Two Great Pyrenees provide deer control and a cat helps with birds and rodents. Goats have been used for weed control but the owners are finding that the goats enjoy the grapes too much.
Hilmy White Wines
Doo-Zwa-Zo 2012 was a blend of Viognier and Chenin Blanc. This light yellow wine offered floral and yellow stone fruit notes. The taste was of tropical fruits including pineapple and peach. The finish was crisp and fruity. Naked Viognier 2012 was produced with stainless steel. The light yellow wine had floral and yellow stone fruit nuances on the aroma. The taste was of peach with a hint of tangerine. The finish was crisp and citrusy. Oaked Viognier 2012 was aged in Hungarian oak for 5 plus months. The aroma was floral and the taste was of yellow stone fruit. The crisp finish was fruity with just a hint of oak.
Hilmy Red Wines
The Temp 2012 was a blend of Tempranillo and Merlot. This dark red wine had an aroma of dark fruits. The taste was very fruity and fresh. The finish, also very fruity, had tannins. Merlot 2010 was produced with grapes from Lost Draw Vineyards in Brownfield, Texas. This dark red wine offered notes of earthiness and cherries. The wine finished with bold tannins and offered fruit notes with a hint of leather.
Enjoy a visit to Hilmy Cellars where wine is produced in small batches.
Hilmy Cellars
12346 E US Hwy 290
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
GPS: N30º 13.361’ W98º 41.634’
Article written August 2013
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