Texas Hill Country AVA and Beyond.

It all started when…

As a student at the University of San Francisco, CA, Cara had the opportunity to tour and attend tastings in the backyard of the Bay Area - The Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Afforded a meeting of industry professionals, entrepreneurs, distributors, and fellow wine lovers, she developed a curiosity and discovery began for wine property and business.

As a student in the South of France, she became further acquainted with Beaumes de Venise and Roses of Provence in a short wine study in French in Aix-en-Provence at IAU.

The passion and curiosity have certainly been rewarding, and her studies in WSET4 Diploma Level now bring her to Napa and Sonoma regularly to learn at the Napa Valley Wine Academy.

A mentor or two have given her apprenticeships and knowledge about the nuts and bolts of the industry. Traveling in Portugal, France, and Italy, she has invested in her formal and informal education to bring back knowledge from all parts of the industry. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing in her abilities to influence the Texas Wine Scene. She is happy to be hands-on in the winery and the cellar when the option is available.

Cara seeks to connect with industry professionals in Texas to further the great path many have already trailblazed and leave a legacy as we continue to grow our passion for wine and hospitality together.

Preferred Professionals & Trusted Partnerships

Select Partners for Knowledge and Experience.

Business, Legal & Beverage Consultant 

Martin Frost & Hill - Martin Frost & Hill - Kimberly Frost

From TABC permits, TTB permits, local liquor licenses, and city, county, state, and federal procedures, MFH specialises in law and licensing for those who are busy trying to run or start a business in the vibrant alcoholic beverage industry. Contact Kimberly Frost kfrost@mfhliquorlaw.com https://www.mfhliquorlaw.com/

Winemaker Consultant

Contact US

The connections to the Hill Country and Texas High Plains is through a winemaker consultant. Don’t risk a vintage when you can have the best consultants at your side to help you through harvest to bottling.

Viticultural Consultants

CONTACT US

We believe wine is for all and has a perspective as unique as it’s growing place. Seek the best for the best results in your wine program.

Custom Crush

CONtACT US

Bonded wineries can be a stepping stone to your start-up, to help you expand your portfolio or to provide an incubator for a specialized product.

Partnerships & Trusted Professionals

Knowledge and Experience. Outstanding in their Field of Work.

John R. Rivenburgh

Sometimes referred to as the “Gypsy Winemaker” but more often sought after for his reputation in the Texas Hill Country to consult new growers with goals to avoid costly mistakes in their vineyards and start-up winery projects. He is the proprietor of Kerrville Hills Winery in Kerrville, TX. John’s expertise, artistry, and business acumen are vast and allow for a flexible consultant and advisory role in established commercial ventures. John currently nurtures winemaker projects under his roof as an incubator for upstarting wineries and new labels. He advises commercial ventures on running new and established wineries. He is also a professor of business at Texas Universities.

John@rivenburghwine.com Rivenburgh Wine https://rivenburghwine.com/

Baudouin de MontgolfieR

Since 1998 as the CEO of Tonnellerie de Sud-Ouest, Baudouin has combined tradition, knowledge, and innovation to become the world -leader in cooperage of Acacia and French Oak. These prestigious barrels offer midpalate complexity and elegance using the finest oak staves from the forests of Allier, Troncais, Central, and Southwest France. Offering traceability for each barrel, TSO gives winemakers peace of mind and assurance of results. With a presence in the cellars of fine wines worldwide, TSO adapts each custom order to the winery’s style and toasting requirements. The Acacia offering by TSO has made it a world leader as a white and rose wine cooperage by crating barrels which promote feminine elegance and floral and honey characteristics without compromising fruit or freshness in light wines. Now offering patented process refurbished eco barrels for beverage and liquor distillation ageing.

bdm@slti.biz
Group TSO Tonnelleries https://www.tonnellerie-sud-ouest.com/

H&A Barrel management Sonoma California

Agrow Credit Co.

Anissa Kocian | President | Agrow Credit

Farm Credit Member, Farmer Mac, Commercial, Private Equity

Texas Champion Bank

2579 Western Trails Blvd. Suite 210, Austin, TX 78745

Capital Finance Group

Kevin O’Hare  | President |

Providing asset-based lending options for winery businesses.

Pinnacle Bank Gilroy, CA

kevin.ohare@pinnacle.bank 408-275-8006 ext. 1

Hill Country Spotlight

The following businesses are highlighted on a rotating basis to bring the spotlight to some outstanding entrepreneurs and hospitality properties, restaurants, and producers.

La Bergerie | Fredericksburg, TX

A wine bar by Otto's German Bistro in the ‘Berg sources everything you seek to enjoy on a weekday or weeknight for a wine bar experience. Whether it’s a glass or a bottle paired with a snack, select a red, white, rose, sparkling or fortified wine and feel the history through the old world meets the new world-themed space. You may also find a gift for yourself or someone who likes books, French products, and wine. The garden is charming with a provencal French country feel, and the staff is very knowledgeable to help you find the perfect wine for how you want to feel. Try anything from Austrian, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Texas producers as well, and be delighted. email: alysha@labergeriemarket.com 830-992-3036 labergeriemarket.com

Bryan’S290

Chef-Owner Bryan Gillenwater brings thoughtful new American cuisine to Texas Wine country with warm hospitality and an atmosphere of comfort. Using the wood grill as seasoning to locally sourced meats and sauces to brings flavors to seafood inspired by his time in Cheffing on the East Coast and the New Orleans classics. Selections and menu of seasonal ingredients rotate and change weekly. Be sure to try his appetizers and save room for one of more than six desserts on offer. Local and Imported Wines, Beers and Cider served. Located on SW corner city block in Johnson City in the heart of LBJ’s Texas Hill Country Email -

Stonewall motor lodge

Need a place to rest and reset from a long day of tasting in the HIll Country? Stay in designer digs in the heart of the wine route.

A CLASSIC 1960S ROADSIDE MOTEL IN THE HEART OF THE FAMOUS HWY 290 WINE TRAIL. SURROUNDED BY OVER 75 WINERIES, BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, RESTAURANTS, AND ATTRACTIONS, THIS LITTLE SLICE OF HISTORY HAS BEEN DUSTED OFF AND RESTORED INTO A UNIQUE TEXAS BOUTIQUE HOTEL WITH A VINTAGE VIBE.

TEXAS TERROIR…

From Limestone Pedernales River Basin to Bell Mountain to the deep soils in the Hickory aquifer of Mason sandstones… Texas AVAS are exciting! Expanded planted and producing acreage is now available to today’s winemakers pushing what’s possible in the bottle.