If you don't already have plans for Valentine's Day dinner this evening, or if you simply don't need an excuse to enjoy good food and wine with the one you love, then I have the perfectly romantic place for you: Duchman Family Winery and Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood, Texas.
Duchman Family Vineyards was previously Mandola Vineyards, as in Damien Mandola, of Mandola's Italian Market and Carrabas. Mandola still runs and operates Trattoria Lisina, a Tuscan-style restaurant on the property, adjacent to the tasting room. A Bocci Ball Court, fountain and courtyard garden divide the two.
Wine
Duchman crafts wines that could be described as generally Italian in style, from Tuscan (Sangiovese) to Sardinian (Vermentino) to Piedmontese for their Dolcetto wines. 6 tastings for only $5. We tried the 2009 Pinot Grigio, 2009 Viognier, 2008 Dolcetto, 2008 Sangiovese, 2009 Aglianico and 2008 Rosso.
Our faves:
2009 Aglianico - "...a medium bodied, dry red wine, with a soft mouth feel and medium tannins...earth driven wine offers notes of stewed cherries and baked red fruits, along with hints of all-spice, cocoa, and sweet tobacco."
2008 Sangiovese - "a medium bodied dry red wine with a ruby red color, medium tannin, and firm acidity. Notes of strawberry and cherry come through on the nose and palate."
We went home with bottles of the Viognier, Sangiovese and and the Aglianico. With bottles at $9-$20/piece, it's a hard to pass these up. Also, you get your tasting free if you purchase a bottle.
Cuisine
Trattoria Lisina is no Carrabas or Mandola's Italian Market (no offense to either of those fine places), this, in my opinion, is a few rungs up the culinary ladder. Unpretentious but refined Italian comfort food, made with classic, simple ingredients, and I like to think, sprinkled with a little love. Trattoria Lisina features recognizable, but delicious starters such as antipasto and steamed mussels, and "Primi" (first course) dishes include classic pasta dishes and rustic pizza. "Secondi" (Main Entrees) include delectable standouts osso bucco, chicken under a brick, grilled lamb chops and pan seared sea scallops. Appetizers range from $5-$12, entrees from $18-$34.
You can just imagine this place thriving in the hills of Central Italy, humming with Italian laughter and conversation, surrounded by olive groves, rows of grape vines, bathed in golden sunlight.
It's a gorgeous day today, perfect for a drive in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Make reservations, and be sure to arrive half an hour to an hour early to give yourself ample time to enjoy a wine tasting before you dine. Don't forget to stop at Driftwood Vineyards on your way out to enjoy the view on a hilltop above the Texas Hill Country (aka Makeout Point :).
Happy Valentine's Yall!
Listening To: The Postal Service, Brand New Colony (dedicated to my love)
Lyrics:
I'll be the grapes fermented,
Bottled and served with the table set in my finest suit
Like a perfect gentlemen
I'll be the fire escape that's bolted to the ancient brick
Where you will sit and contemplate your day
I'll be the waterwings that save you if you start drowning
In an open tab when your judgement's on the brink
I'll be the phonograph that plays your favorite
Albums back as your lying there drifting off to sleep...
I'll be the platform shoes and undo what heredity's done to you...
You won't have to strain to look into my eyes
I'll be your winter coat buttoned and zipped straight to the throat
With the collar up so you won't catch a cold
I want to take you far from the cynics in this town
And kiss you on the mouth
We'll cut out bodies free from the tethers of this scene,
Start a brand new colony
Where everything will change,
We'll give ourselves new names (identities erased)
The sun will hear the grounds
Under our bare feet in this brand new colony
Everything will change...
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