Heath Family Brands: Texas Hill Country
Texas Hill Country
Last month, I visited several wineries in the Texas Hill country. I spent some time at the top producer of sparkling wines in the region, Heath Family Brands. They have a Wine and Food Pairing Experience that showcases their portfolio of wines. The chef at Heath prepares unique bites of savory food samples that are paired with each of their sparkling wines to enhance the flavors. See Distinctive Sparkling Wines, Paired with Seasonal Small-Bites, $40
Fall is a perfect time to visit the Hill Country for a family reunion, vacation or a girl’s buddy-trip getaway. It’s still warm during the day, and the evenings are cooling off nicely. I have several suggestions If You Go – Where to Stay, Wineries to visit. USAToday 10 Best selected the Texas Hill Country as one of the top US wine regions to visit, “Explore 10 Must-See Wine Regions in the US for a Grape Getaway,” July 30, 2025, USAToday.
“The scenic Texas Hill Country surrounding the communities of Austin, Fredericksburg, Stonewall, Lampasas, and New Braunfels is home to more than 60 wineries [with more than 800 in the whole state.] This American Viticultural Area is one of the largest in the country, growing varietals like Tempranillo, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, and an increasing acreage of warm-weather grapes.” – USA Today.
An Interview with Julie Herbort, COO of Heath Family Brands
In this interview COO Julie Herbort discusses bringing all the Heath Sparkling Wine production in-house in their new production facility including all the Sparkling processes like: Tirage line, Disgorgement line, and Bottling.
“We’re proud that all our sparkling wines are all Texas-based [grapes] now.” - Julie Herbort, Heath Family Brands
The Small-Bites Pairing
*Pineapple Mouse, Mint and Toasted Coconut paired with 2021 Heath 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs: the creaminess of the coconut matched perfectly with the brisk character, melon and Granny Smith apple flavors of this wine. Grapes are sourced from the High Plains AVA- American Viticultural Area. A French-style Texas success.
*Muhammara, Parsley oil, Parsley (a Middle Eastern walnut and roasted red pepper dip) paired with 2022 Euphoria, the original Heath sparkling wine that features characteristic peach, honeysuckle and citrus zest flavors. A wonderful lower alcohol 11.4% abv sparkling wine which is Brut. The bottles lie sur lie (on their lees or spent yeast, which adds complexity and texture to the wine) 20 months, 39% Chenin Blanc, 32% Semillon, 23% Trebbiano, and 6% Viognier.
*Chocolate Hummus, Parsley Powder, Roasted Sunflower Seeds and Plantain Chip paired with Health Ebullience Sparkling wine. The chocolate brings out the fruit flavors of this Pinot Grigio and Chenin Blanc-based sparkler.
*Carrot Cake, Dairy Free Cream Cheese with Carrot Top Powder paired with (my favorite) Health Sparkling Adoration, the crisp acidity of the Adoration matches well with the spices of the carrot cake and cream cheese icing. My favorite pairing.
About Heath Family Brands
Brian Heath is owner of Heath Family Brands. The portfolio of wineries includes Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Invention Vineyards, Jenblossom Cellars, and most recently, Kuhlman Estate, formerly known as Kuhlman Cellars. Brian and his wife Jennifer got into the Texas wine industry in 2006 when they purchased Grape Creek Vineyards from the family of founder Ned Simes.
Producing Health Sparkling Wines
Heath Sparkling Wines began at Grape Creek Vineyards. The Cuvée (base wine for sparkling wine or Champagne) is crafted by their own, widely decorated Winemaker Jason Englert. In-bottle secondary fermentation (Méthode Champenoise) is guided by Penny Gadd-Coster, named “Winemaker of the Year” in the inaugural 2013 Wine Industry Awards and Best of Class Sparkling Wine, 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
“I drink Champagne when I win, to celebrate… and I drink Champagne when I lose, to console myself.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
Recommended Wines
2021 Heath 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs, High Plains AVA, $58
Tasting Notes: Complex texture, brisk acidity, melon and Granny Smith apple flavors with a lingering, elegant finish…a true Champagne-evoking quality. This wine lies Sur Lie* for 20 months and is a Brut style. Serving Temperature: 38-45°.
2022 Health Sparkling Wines, Euphoria, Texas $58
Tasting Notes: This flagship wine is comprised of 39% Chenin Blanc, 32% Semillon, 23% Trebbiano, and 6% Viognier with an ABV (alcohol %) of only 11.4%- great for a toasty afternoon day. Yeasty aromas of tangerine, orange peel, and freshly-baked sourdough bread lead to a crisp, clean palate and refined finish.
2021 Health Sparkling Wines, Ebullience, $57
Tasting Notes: Crafted from 83% Pinot Grigio and 17% Chenin Blanc this 12.9% ABV sparkling wine is an enticing pale copper in color with aromas of sourdough bread, pear, cantaloupe, and pineapple. It has a frothy mouthfeel that is rich and sensual.
2021 Heath Sparkling Wines, Adoration, $61
Tasting Notes: A rosé sparkler: 77% Pinot Noir, 17% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier, 2% Pinot Gris, 1% Pinot Blanc. This festive wine is pale salmon color with aromas of fresh strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Crisp and brisk, this is my perfect late afternoon choice. It’s my favorite. I often stop at the Heath Family Tasting room in downtown Fredericksburg to taste this wine.
IF YOU GO – Where to Stay
Melissa’s Farmstead, a private guest quarters with fully functional kitchen, coffee bar, and wrap-around porch, and outdoor cooking area. Each room has a unique décor. The home sits in the middle of Whatley Wines 42 acres of vineyards.
4046 N Hwy 87, Fredericksburg, Texas
Cotton Gin Village, A rustic Bed and Breakfast in Fredericksburg that features exceptional breakfasts delivered to your cabin.
2805 S State Hwy 16, Fredericksburg, Texas
Other Recommended Wineries to Visit
Bending Branch Winery, Comfort Texas
William Chris Winery, Hye Texas
Adega Vinho Winery, Stonewall, Texas
Pedernales Cellars, Stonewall, Texas
Whatley Wines, Fredericksburg, Texas
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar 2025
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Touring Portugal: An Oporto Tasting
LIVE from the Danube River with Wölffer Estate Winery: Old World vs. New World Wines
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The Venice of Portugal
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In Case You Missed It in the Wine News:
WINESPEED newsletter, October 17, 2025, Don’t miss the interview between Karen MacNeil, author, The Wine Bible, and Dr. Laura Catena, M.D. and Co-Owner, Catena Zapata Winery, Mendoza, Argentina. The topic is “Wine and Health.”
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Travel Opportunities
Editor’s Note: I will be cruising on AmaWaterways this April 20, 2026, on the Romantic Danube Cruise. Wine Wanderings subscribers: Come and join me and Wölffer Estate Winery’s Roman Roth, Winemaker/Partner on the Danube River. We will be visiting Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Hungary with a special post-cruise excursion for 4 days in Hungarian wine country.
Cruise the Danube on AmaWaterways with Wine Wanderings and Wölffer Estate Winery April 20, 2026, Romantic Danube.
“Enticing Douro River Cruise” with Dr. Bob Young. M.D. of Bending Branch Winery, Co-Owner, AmaWaterways, April 6-13, 2027
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