Where did the name La Cruz de Comal come from? It is named after the old Mexican graveyard cross that is in the estate vineyard. As the story is told, in a small village in Mexico, there lived a man who was highly revered and loved by all. When he died in the late 1800’s, the villagers wanted to cast a special cross to place on his grave. For that purpose, they gave over their comals or comalitos (iron utensils used to cook carnitas and heat tortillas,) and the cross was made. In the early 1980’s, the cross was vandalized and the family replaced it. The cross was purchased in San Antonio and found its way to the vineyard. La cruz means “the cross” in Spanish. It is just a coincidence that the vineyard is in Comal County, Texas, as the reference to comal has nothing to do with the place. Rather, it has to do with what the cross is made of and the message of dedication that lies within. Hence, the name of the winery became La Cruz de Comal (the cross made of comals).
In February 2012, a new, small tasting room was built on the vineyard. Made of stone and cedar timber gathered from the LD3 Ranch, complete with a 100-year-old clay tile roof, it captures a “Provence meets Texas Hill Country” feel.
Driftwood Estate Winery sits in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country on a bluff overlooking the vineyards below. The view from the bluff is spectacular, and the grounds are perfect for a picnic with your favorite glass or bottle of Driftwood Estate wine.
Duchman Family Winery remains one of the top wine destinations in Texas. The facility was listed by HGTV as one of the 20 most picturesque wineries in the country. All of the winery’s current releases can be sampled and purchased at the winery’s tasting room and the estate’s beautiful grounds are open to visitors. Pick a spot at one of the oak shaded picnic tables, or grab a seat in the winery hallway with views of the production facilities and wine barrels.
The Sisterdale settlement, the second oldest in the Texas HIll Country, established in 1847, attracted a group of German “free thinkers”. Believing they would be able to farm part of the day and spend part of the day studying poetry, literature and music, they quickly realized they knew nothing about farming and survival would consume most of their time. After the initial settlement, Sisterdale enjoyed continued growth over the next few years with the influx of Germans fleeing the failed European revolution of 1848.
The 1885 cotton gin, which houses the Sister Creek winery, was in operation until 1927. At that time, the boll-weevil infested the cotton fields in the Sisterdale valley. Inability to eradicate this infestation eventually forced the closing of the cotton gin.
Orthodox monasteries have a long and storied tradition of both viticulture and wine making. And of course, we know that Christ’s first miracle was the turning of water into wine. Some of the most important wine regions of the world owe their history and greatness to the dedication of monastics.
Currently the monks make three wines, a Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah, made from grapes sourced from notable vineyards in the Napa and Sonoma AVAs. The grapes are shipped to Texas where the monks conduct the entire wine making process on the holy grounds of the monastery. In 2011, the monastery became a bonded winery, allowing the fathers to sell to the general public.
The fathers appreciate the intersection of history, agriculture and science that goes into the production of a bottle of wine.
In Irish folklore, it has been said that the seventh son has supernatural powers. With the help of his wife, children, siblings and friends, Ned Murphy is proving superstition true with his production of unbelievably good Texas wines.
The Seventh Son Estate was a working cattle ranch when purchased by the Murphy family in 2012. The first test block was planted in 2016. The estate now produces four varietals; Mourvedre, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, and Picpoul Blanc.
Ever the host and entertainer, Ned brings his own culinary flare to the Wimberley tasting room with house-smoked meats, locally sourced ingredients, and family favorites as pairings.
Book your spring visit to the Homestead Cottages today and don’t miss out on all that this beautiful area has to offer!
