Situated at the perfect location in Dripping Springs, the gateway to Texas Wine Country, awaits Hawk’s Shadow. Hawk’s Shadow Vineyard stands as one of the elite Dripping Springs wineries, offering 100% Texas wine with 100% production done on site. Coming from Austin, the drive takes you through the Texas hill country and around twists and bends that will end at the best destination: wine! Hawk’s Shadows’ own, Kourtney, filled us in on the story behind the cellar. “Doug Reed and his Brother Tom Reed and brother- in- law Chip Concklin got together one Holiday season and decided to plant a vineyard. The vineyard site was tested and sampled making sure the soil was promising and vines were ordered upon confirmation of the soil to plant the first few acres on Doug Reeds property (owned by him and his wife Carol). The property was originally intended for a ranch dominated by the first horse adopted by Doug and his wife Carol, Hawk’s Shadow, along with donkeys, goats, and longhorns, became an evolution to what we are today. While portions of the property are still used for horses and donkeys, the vineyard now consumes 8 acres of the total property with a full winery and production facility, tasting room, and underground cave cellar. Wine has always been a passion for the owners of Hawk’s Shadow Vineyards and is why they have devoted numerous labor-filled hours to make the product we all have come to love.”
Making sure to allow the optimal time for the grapes to mature, the grapes settle into their oak barrels for 3-5 years. Kourtney also mentioned their all star wine, Riesling. “Besides our wonderful and unique European style Estate wines we produce, our Riesling is quite popular! It is harvested about 2-3 weeks early keeping the sugar lower and predominantly tank fermented, dry, and tank aged for about a year and blended with a barrel of barrel fermented Riesling giving a very round and complex characteristics.”
Did we mention that they have THE BEST view of the Texas Hill Country (and hence why is a set stop on our Half Day Dripping Springs Wine Tour) As soon as you pull up to through the gates, you just know you are in for some great Texas wine and even better scenery. So, it is no wonder that they get pretty busy on weekends! Hawk’s Shadow is the ideal spot for a picnic and some Rose’ or a glass of their renowned Estate Blend – which changes with each vintage, making it a unique experience every time!
If that is not enough to get you out to Dripping Springs, there is also a furry face that will greet you! Emmett, the winery pup, will take all of the pets….but none of the human snacks please!
You really can’t go wrong with an experience out at Hawk’s Shadow. As Kourtney would like to say, “We are a family owned and operated, making 100% Texas wines. Give us a call to make an appointment to come out and see us, bring the dogs, and a picnic!”
Cheers y’all!
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Dripping Springs Wine Tours!
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Allow Texas Tipsy Tours to assist you in putting together the ideal Dripping Springs Wine Tours!
