Valentine's Day Recommendation: Duchman Family Winery & Trattoria Lisina

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...

Fun in Fredericksburg

Last weekend, my girlfriends I headed out to Fredericksburg for a much-needed weekend away from the boyfriends, husbands and family. Our itinerary was filled wineries, restaurants and relaxing in hot the tubs back at the cabins (the hot tub was a prerequisite, of course). Everything a girl could want for a Hill Country getaway.

Some Resources to plan the trip:
The Texas Hill Country - A Food & Wine Lovers Paradise
Fredericksburg Wine Road 290
Absolute Charm Luxury Bed & Breakfasts
First Class Bed & Breakfast Reservation Service

Drink.

Becker Vineyards Becker is known in the Hill Country for award winning wines from French Bordeaux varietals (along with a few others), aged in French Oak and American Oak. $10 for a tasting of 6 wines. They have an excellent selection of gifts made from local lavender, as well as artisan cheeses and meats to enjoy a simple meal on their beautiful patio with a glass of wine.  There was live music there on Saturday afternoon.

Our faves:

2008 Claret - Made with a blend of traditional Bordeaux grapes (cab, merlot, cab franc, petit verdot and malbec), this wine was subtle and dry, with notes of currant and a hint of vanilla from the American Oak.

2009 Malbec - This was the wine steward's fave, as well, a good, full-bodied wine with a taste of dark chocolate smokiness.

Grape Creek Vineyards - This was our third vineyard on the list, Grape Creek bills itself as, "Tuscany in the Hill Country." Also a great outdoor space with a fire pit (perfect for this cold day), with a selection of cheese, chocolate and cracker accompaniments for your wine.

Our faves:

2008 Bellisimo - "...Super Tuscan style red wine... a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon yield characteristics of cherries, spices and toasted oak with hints vanilla."

2008 Mosaic - "...blended using traditional Bordeaux grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, aged in small oak barrels..expresses flavors of blackberries, black currant, and chocolate..." 

 

Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille - Pretty good Bloody Marys. I believe we had 15 between the 5 of us. They serve food, too.






The Buffalo Nickel seems like a local bar, cozy and off the main street. They also serve food, but we had excellent Micheladas.





Other Drink recommendations:

Lincoln Street Wine Bar

Auslander Restaurant & Biergarten

Eat.

Silver K Cafe in Johnson City was our first stop. A cute place for tasty and inexpensive salads, sandwiches and soups.  I had a $3 chicken salad sandwich and a $2 beer. Can't beat it.

Cabernet Grille was our dinner spot, embracing simple, Hill Country cuisine of grilled steaks, chicken, fish and quail, along with some pretty tasty sides. We all liked that it offered local wines, so we were able to get a glass of the favorite wines we tasted earlier in the day. Also, this place has several well manicured cabins on the property and a beautiful outdoor courtyard with fountains. This would be a pretty amazing place to stay for a Winemaker's Dinner, or even in the summertime to enjoy the outdoors. It's a few miles from Main St., but worth the (short) drive.

Rathskeller Basement Restaurant - What an awesome find. Delicious breakfast, strong coffee, mimosas. I had the Hill Country Duck Hash. This is some serious breakfast love.

All in all, a pretty awesome weekend (despite less than perfect weather), spent chatting, drinking, shopping and eating with the girls I call my best friends. Its always  a great experience to enjoy good food and wine with those that appreciate it as much, if not more, than you do.  Love you girls!

Listening to: Rolling Stones, Under My Thumb

Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm

 

When I grow up, I want to be Sibby Bartlett. Sibby has an enviable life surrounded by good food. After growing up in Texas and San Miguel de Allende, she owned and operated a floral shop, event planning business, prominent bakery and restaurant in Dallas before creating Juniper Hills Farm. The Farm is a lovely 50 acre refuge, perched on a hill just between Dripping Springs and Blanco, complete with lavender fields, an olive grove, 5 plush cabins, Bocci ball court and infinity pool overlooking the Hill Country. The star of it all is Onion Creek Kitchens - where the magic happens. Sibby holds hands-on cooking classes covering everything from Parisian baking to elegant comfort food. Class schedule here:  http://www.juniperhillsfarm.com/classes.htm

Back in December, I had the pleasure of attending the Home Made Gifts class at Onion Creek Kitchens, a class focused on making all natural body products, salt rubs, baked goods and more for the holidays. I love to make home made gifts, and luckily the timing and availability worked, so this was a no-brainer for me.

Gifts I Made:
Sugar Body Scrub
Walnut Honey Fask Mask
Eggnog Shortbread
Toffee Pecans
Citrus Sea Salt Rub
Guajillo Chile Salt
Jasmine, Lemongrass and Mint Tea Tin
Hibiscus, Chamomile and Mint Tea Tin
Lavender & Spearmint Lotion
Sweet Orange & Vanilla Lotion
Lavender & Palmorosa Martini Body/Room Spray
Sweet Orange & Vanilla Aroma Roll On
Ylang Ylang & Jasmine Aroma Roll On
Lavender & Pink Grapefruit Hand/Body Soap

This class was co-hosted by Melanie Van Aken of Heron's Nest Herb Farm, which offers classes and workshops on making custom body and home products with essential oils, lavender and herbs. Heron's Nest can also host Lotion/Soap Making Parties host in your home or the location of your choice! Just think of how much you and your girlfriends would enjoy the takeaways at this party: http://heronsnestherbfarm.com/index.html

Half of the class took place in the Main House Kitchen, a place overflowing with color and warmth, mismatched bowls and cookbooks stacked high, unexpected pops of color in the form of miniature toys, vintage measuring cups and pastel Kitchen Aid mixers.

 

I can't wait to come here in the summer to take advantage of the pool and a girls weekend away. Did I mention that Sibby can arrange private yoga classes and spa services for you and your gals? Juniper Hills Farm - an enchanting place to enjoy cooking classes or just a quiet Hill Country weekend away, while exploring nearby Blanco, Wimberley, Dripping Springs and Fredericksburg. 

Listening to: Suzanna Choffel, Hey Mister

The Texas Hill Country, A Food and Wine Lover's Paradise (The Guide)

At Thyme & Dough, a delicious cafe/bakery/nursery in Dripping Springs, we bought this great book:

I fell in love. We sort of made it our mission to hit up every place in the book, and now we are onto the 2nd Edition. The Guide showcases local farms, wineries, local products (cheeses, baked goods, lavender, herbs, sausage), recipes, as well as sublime Hill Country restaurants you had no idea existed. It covers the Hill Country to the West of Austin, so Fredericksburg, Blanco, Boerne, Wimberly, up North to San Saba, West to Junction and South to San Antonio.

I have a link to Terry Thompson-Anderson's website in the tabs above, and she provides a plethora of information on just this stuff. Seriously, entire sections devoted to "Texas Joints and Honkeytonks" and Barbecue. Make sure you buy the book too!

Next Post: Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm

Listening to: Florence + The Machine, Dog Days are Over