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FOCUS:
Mason winery a prize winner
Staff Report
Monday,
February 4, 2008
The best wines come from places that have a long history of
grape growing and wine production. Vineyards in Europe, South
America, Australia and select regions of the United States are
the first places one would think of when deciding on a wine for
any occasion.
But what if you were standing in front of the wine rack and
thought to yourself, "I wish there was a local wine I could
choose from."
Never fear. As it happens, Concho Valley does have a local winery
that produces an excellent product. Tucked nicely off the town
square, Sandstone Cellars Winery in Mason is beginning to make
a name for itself.
"It is really quite amazing, the quality of the soil and
weather conditions here in Mason County," said Scott Haupert,
co-owner of the winery. "We're tucked away in a nice little
pocket of the state prime for a good wine."
Oh, and that excellent product mentioned before? With just their
second release, simply named II, Sandstone Cellars was awarded
a bronze medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition,
the largest wine competition in the U.S.
Following that honor, their third release last November named
- you got it - III, won Texas Champion in its division at the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition.
Not bad for a winery that has only been open since August 2004.
"We are really trying hard to create our own distinctive
flavor," said Don Pullum, winemaker for Sandstone Cellars.
And they're doing just that by using only grapes grown in Mason
County. "Ten years from now, if someone were participating
in a blind tasting and sampled one of our wines, we would like
for them to say 'Oh, well that comes from Mason County,' "
he said.
Sandstone
Cellars Winery, 211 San Antonio Street, Mason, Texas 76856. (325)
347-9463. www.sandstonecellarswinery.com
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