Harvest 2025 – A Season of Surprises

Every summer, as the vines stretch under the hot Texas sun, we begin to imagine what the coming harvest will bring. Back in late July, we shared our excitement about the grapes we had contracted and the promise of another vintage. Even then, we knew the weather had thrown us a few curveballs, but optimism is part of the winemaker’s creed. If there’s one truth this journey keeps teaching us, it’s to expect the unexpected.

First to the Press – High Plains Viognier

As tradition holds, Viognier was the first grape to arrive. This year marked our debut working with Ty and Mary Wilmeth at DDD Vineyards in Tokio. Their vines endured hailstorms and even a torna

do, yet enough fruit survived to meet our needs. On August 21st, we welcomed the harvest into the cellar, grateful to craft another Whisper Path Cellars High Plains Viognier.

Tempranillo – Lost in the Storm

Tempranillo has been our flagship since 2017, and we’ve harvested it nearly every year. In recent vintages, we’ve partnered with Robb Parr of Parr Vineyards in Mason County. But this summer, nature reminded us of its power. On July 4th, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry stalled over the Hill Country, dropping more than 15 inches of rain in a single morning. The flood devastated communities and vineyards alike, and our hearts remain with those who lost so much.

Montepulciano – A Vintage Lost

As the season unfolded, we also learned that the Montepulciano yields we were looking forward to would not materialize. Losing a perennial wine is never easy, but with Tempranillo and Montepulciano already aging in barrel from past harvests, we found a silver lining. Skipping a vintage opened the door to try something new.

Graciano and Cinsault – New Paths to Explore

In August, we visited Tony and Madonna Phillips at Phillips Vineyard to check on the Graciano we had contracted. The fruit looked excellent, but another grape—Cinsault—caught our eye. After tasting several Texas wines made from this variety, we decided to bring a few tons into the cellar. On September 5th, both Graciano and Cinsault were harvested.

The Graciano promises a full-bodied wine with bold fruit and structure, while the Cinsault is destined for a crisp, Provençal-style rosé—an interesting contrast to our current San Antonio Rosé.

Petite Sirah – Dark and Intense

In a year full of surprises, Farmhouse Vineyards delivered Petite Sirah right on schedule. Harvested September 18th, this grape is everything we love about it: dark, tannic, and intense. By September 30th, the final pressing marked the end of our crush season.

The Cellar Quietly Awaits

With harvest complete, the rhythm shifts. Reds are pressed and headed to barrels, whites and rosés are racked from tank to tank, and the cellar grows quieter as the wines settle into their aging vessels. It’s a season we look forward to—when the pace slows, the air cools, and anticipation builds for the holidays and the vintages yet to come.

As we look back on this year’s challenges and triumphs, we’re reminded that every harvest tells its own story. We invite you to join us at Whisper Path Cellars to taste what’s next, share in the journey, and raise a glass to the resilience of Texas wine. … Salud