The Winery
Llano Estacado Winery, one of Texas’s oldest and most established wineries, sits just outside Lubbock and plays a major role in putting the Texas High Plains on the wine map. Founded in the 1970s, it has grown into a large-scale operation, combining modern production facilities with a relaxed tasting room experience. The tasting room is large and can accommodate a lot of people, and there is also a large outdoor area for nice weather enjoyment. While the venue itself is very nice, my experience was not so great. There was one person working, and my wife and I were the only clients there. The staff didn’t know much about wine, never inquired about us or how we got there, and just told us about the tastings, which she didn’t get totally right either. We sat outside, I did the tasting, and unfortunately, based on my visit, without looking it up on the internet I couldn’t tell you what their wine portfolio looks like. She just came and poured, told me the name of the wine, and went back inside.
The Wines
Having to go to the internet to see the full list of their wines, Llano Estacado offers a significant portfolio, ranging from easy-drinking wines to more structured varietals. I tasted the sparkling rose’ which was very nice, the Trocken Riesling (dry) which was excellent and highly recommended, the Flume Blanc Semillon (which wasn’t as good as the Riesling), the Sangiovese (excellent, with a peppery finish that was to die for), and the Enigme, a bold blend of Rosso Classico, Brunello, Teroldego, and Merlot. It was nice and bold, but still not as tasty as the Sangiovese. If I was to walk out with a red and a white, it would be the Trocken Riesling and the Sangiovese.
In Summary
Llano Estacado Winery is a nice stop for anyone curious about the Texas wine scene or looking for a laid-back tasting experience, but don’t expect the servers to give you much attention. The venue is nice so you will enjoy that part of the experience. But if you are looking for an “experience”, you’ll want to try a different winery.
