Update to original post: Below is our original review of our first visit to Oswald Vineyard and Winery. This year, our return visit rewarded us with another wonderful evening. Driving roads less traveled is always a very good thing. Even better, when you venture down the same road a year later and the experience mirrors the first one.
Our second visit was almost a rinse and repeat of our first visit. Warm smiles, a friendly greeting and we’re off to another night of restful sleep underneath the big Texas night canopy. One big change! John and the family updated their RV area for overnight campers. There’s 50A electrical service too. If you prefer electrical hookup, it’s available at a terrific rate of $15.00 plus a bottle of wine. (Their wine rocks the house!)
Original Post of Oswald Vineyard: Great Chemistry in West Texas
After leaving Seifert Cellars & Wild West Vines on Lake Ivie our next Harvest Hosts stopover is Oswald Vineyard and Winery just outside of Brownfield, Texas.
As a kid, riding in the backseat across Texas when you’re heading to go ‘somewhere’, seems like forever.
Fast forward to today, over the course of many lifetime drives across this incredible state, the journey across Texas is the destination. With Sheen’s Bean ( nuCamp Tab 400 Boondock) in tow and the awesome network of stopovers with Harvest Hosts, we’re seeing Texas closer than the total of 14 years that I lived here.
From the driver or passenger seat, write and photograph your own story with what you see and what you feel with each mile down the road. Texas is much more than “everything is bigger in Texas.”
Landscapes filled with nothing but space linger in front of us. Big skies, open land, colorful horizons and diversity of topographies await.
To really understand what bigger in Texas means, just go. Drive. Stop. Stop some more. It’s not about size.
On the Way to Oswald Vineyard and Winery
En route to the Harvest Hosts location of Oswald Vineyard, long ribbon roads fade into the horizon line. As my hubby dozes in the passenger seat, the soft sound of the wheels keep rhythm with the wind turbines filling part of the landscape along the way.
The traditional west Texas landscape of flat open fields, barren land and shades of sand and clay are quite the contrast from our Lake Michigan views.
While I totally appreciate the cleaner energy, the old, small oil pumping units underneath look like child’s toys. They take up much less of a an eye-print.
Small Texas towns, some the the size of gas stations, slow us down from 60 mph (hey, driving a camper forces a slower pace!) to 45 mph for a quick few minutes. My favorite gas stop along the way? The one with the big-voiced rooster greeting. If all gas stations had one of these beauties!
As we’re approaching the turn to head to Oswald Vineyard, I thought SIRI was mistaken. We drove past the main road and now we’re told to take a left on a hard packed, red clay road that leads to nowhere?
Normally, I wouldn’t think twice but when you’re towing a camper, you need turning space if you get it wrong. Especially if you’re new to driving RVs.
Driving Directions – SIRI Was Right
Good news? SIRI was spot on, sort of. Down the road a couple of miles and a quick left and the vineyard, resting in the west Texas terrain waits. Signage for the winery was on the other side from where we came but the address was on the mailbox so we knew we had it right.
On arriving, we were immediately greeted and given directions where to park. Driving alongside Oswald’s Vineyard, following the quick jaunt, big area to turn and park, we arrived on very level ground. John, one of his sons and his bevy of pooches were all smiles and filled with sunny warmth.
Oswald Vineyard Wines: Great Chemistry & Wine
Following a quick run with our dogs on the Texas terrain, it was time for our wine tasting. Since I’m not the wine drinker of the family, I rely on Dave for his taste insight as he enjoys ‘a good glass of wine’ with dinner.
John and his mini-me, look-a-like son (both pictured below) greeted us along the road. The next hour or so John filled us with wine insights, sharing his story of how he, his wife and family entered the wine business.
A chemist in his previous life, he shares more in-depth knowledge of the chemistry of wine making. Just ask him the purpose of the oak barrels. We didn’t know….we do now!
They were gracious sharing their time, snacks and wines in the wine cellar located away from the house and near our RV. My husband (the wine drinker) enjoyed the versatility of their wines. Pair with cheeses, steaks and pastas. The reds, while rich in flavor are not heavy on the pallet.
The informal experience of the wine tasting includes relaxing, delightful conversations and a lot of laughter. What a fun experience taking in a Texas winery.
The wines are outstanding and we left with three bottles of wine.
More than Wine
An added bonus? The eggs! Now we’re talking my language. They have fresh eggs for sale. If I could rate eggs like Sommeliers rate wines, I’d give these coppery gems five stars!
A sunset walk before heading back to our camper for a very light dinner capped off the day. Afterwards, we enjoyed falling off to sleep seeing the big Texas sky filled with stars.
My biggest regrets on vacations, travels, photography are the stops not taken. No regrets here, only great memories.
2 comments
Wow Sheen! Thanks for your kind words. We all enjoy meeting you RVers too. So many different travelling stories from all over the country.
John
You’re so welcome! You’ve also set the benchmark in asparagus. Enjoy your summer!
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