Taste wines from 22 Texas wineries,

craft foods and Texas art this weekend

With cool (rather than icy cold) temperatures in the air, it is clear that spring has arrived, and with it, wine festivals. 

Kick off the season at the oldest wine festival in Central Texas March 29-30 when the Village of Salado is filled with folks sipping wine, browsing art and nibbling on the best at the Sixth Annual Texas Wine and Rogue Art Fest. 

Celebrate spring by attending the biggest wine festival between Austin and Grapevine and this year bigger than ever before.

Twenty-two wineries and vineyards will be pouring all varieties of Texas wine, alongside 38 booths featuring art, delectable foods, and handmade goodies. There will be wineries from Florence, Waco and Meridian, as well as from around the state, such as Poteet, Burleson, Marble Falls, Dallas and Houston. With over 90 wines to sample, there is something for everyone.  

June Ritterbusch, festival organizer and winery owner says, “I am looking forward to trying the Cabernet Sauvignons, Tempranillos and Vermentinos, while other folks prefer the fruit wines and the sweeter styles.” There will also be several ports and a couple of sparkling wines.    

Next door to the festival, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church of Salado will be holding their first Annual Art Show as well. The parishioners of St. Joseph’s wanted to help promote local artists so they have assembled their own art celebration.  Their art will include handcrafts such as recycled hand-painted flower pots, name jewelry and homemade goodies like coconut granola.  The youth group will be selling hot dogs and lemonade.

Just in time for the festival, Salado Winery will release their 2012 Diamond Back and the 2013 Night Flight.  Both wines are 100% grown in their vineyard in Salado and made on the premise.  These wines will pair well with the truffles being sold by Wiseman House Chocolates and the handmade cheese from Texas Cheese House. “In a Pickle” is back this year with their intriguing pickled specialties along with “In Hog Heaven” who specializes in pork sandwiches like, “Pignic Sandwich” a fried bologna sandwich. Foodies will also enjoy biscotti from EMA Baking Company and olive oils from Spicewood Food Company.  

You will be able to hear music wafting from the grounds of Salado Winery and Salado Wine Seller.  A full list of participants is available at www.salado-winefestival.com.  

“I wanted to attract a different type of artist, so I named it ‘Rogue’ as in the artists are going rogue,” Ritterbusch goes on to explain, “We are always searching for unusual artists and this year we have found some”.  These Texas wineries are rogue entrepreneurs as well, and I think all the wine and art folks are going to create a great experience.” This year, the most rogue artist is likely to be Kristy Dexter whose business is named “KristysKrap”, and her work includes blinged out and vintage animal skulls.

The festival will be held on the grounds of Salado Winery and Salado Wine Seller at 841 N. Main St., Salado, rain or shine. Pets on leashes are allowed and families are welcome.  

Texas Wine & Rogue Art Fest hours will be noon-5 p.m. March 29 and noon-4 p.m. March 30.