Inwood Estates Vineyards
Fredericksburg
by
Terry Sullivan
Summary: Inwood Estates Vineyards third location is along the popular Rt 290 in Fredericksburg. The winery opened in the spring of 2013 and offers wine tastings, a bistro and weekend entertainment.
Inwood Estates Vineyards was faced with a challenge. There was a need to increase production space and winemaker, Dan Gatlin considered several options. The urban location in Dallas was used for aging wines in barrels and bottling the wines. A large production facility in Florence could have an addition added on to the winery, or another location could be found. In the end, Dan decided to build a new facility along the popular Route 290 Wine Road in Fredericksburg.
The Fredericksburg location is ideal. Several wineries are located along the highway making the location very easy for wine enthusiasts to discover. The Inwood facility includes a production space that will be used for the Tempranillo production. An intimate tasting room area and a large bistro/tasting room are also here.
Production Area and Tasting Room
The production area was void of tanks during the July 2013 visit. Because of weather conditions, red grapes will not be harvested in 2013 and Dan would rather wait on acquiring tanks. The tasting area next to the production room has a square-shaped tasting counter. Wine enthusiasts can taste from three sides of the square. This is a quiet area that has an elegant feel.
Bistro and Tasting Room
Across a hallway open at both ends, the Bistro has a larger tasting counter in one of the corners of the rectangular shaped 
building. Opposite the tasting counter along the same wall there is a fireplace. Honey tones of the tasting counter contrast with the grays and earth colored stones that make up the sides of the counter. These same colored stones are used for the fireplace. Between the fireplace and tasting counter a small stage area is used for performers.
Dan mentioned that Austin has a wealth of performers. Inwood Estates has musicians, mostly jazz, perform on Saturdays and most Sundays. Tasting wines in the Bistro is a fun experience. During a Monday visit on a hot July day, there was a steady stream of small groups that came to taste wines. Some of the people ordered a bottle and food and sat at tables.
Wines
Several Inwood Estates Vineyards' wines were tasted. Dan wants people to know that Inwwod Estates only makes wines from grapes grown in Texas. He also likes to talk about the history of the Texan wine industry. He was the first to plant Tempranillo in the High Plains.
The 2012 Chardonnay was made from Chardonnay grapes from a single vineyard in Dallas County. The yellow colored wine had a pear and apple aroma and taste. There were citrus notes on the crisp finish. The 2012 Palomino-Chardonnay blend was a dark yellow color. The Palomino grapes were from a vineyard in Hunt County while the Chardonnay grapes were from a vineyard in Dallas County. The aroma offered pear notes while the taste had layers of fruits including: pear, apple, pineapple and apricot. The wine was smooth with a crisp finish.
The red wines tasted were made with fruit grown in the High Plains. The 2010 Tempranillo was a dark ruby color. It was a blend of 75 percent Tempranillo and 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. There were dark jammy fruits on the aroma and taste with tannins. The finish was crisp and fruity. The 2010 Cornelious was made from 100 percent Tempranillo. The dark ruby colored wine had a black cherry aroma. There were black cherries and blackberry fruit on the taste. Bold tannins accompanied the crisp fruit forward finish.
The 2009 Magdalena is a Bordeaux-like blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The wine is only made during certain years depending on weather conditions. The wine was a ruby color with a Sienna hue. The aroma offered dark fruits with floral notes. The taste included plum, cherry and cassis. Tannins accompanied the finish that was fruity with a hint of oak. The 2008 Magellen is a Bordeaux-like blend that is only made certain years depending on the weather. It was a ruby color and had dark fruits on the aroma. The taste reminded me of cassis and black cherries. There were bold tannins and a fruity finish. The 2010 Mericana was a dark ruby colored Cabernet Sauvignon. The aroma reminded me of cassis and there was cassis, licorice and leather on the taste. Bold tannins were accompanied by a fruity finish that had oak influences.
While along the Rt 290 wine trail in Fredericksburg, stop at Inwood Estates for a wine tasting and a bite to eat.
Inwood Estates Vineyards
10303 HWY 290 East
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
GPS: N30º 13.439’ W98º 43.938’
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