The art of wine. The wine of art. Am I speaking of clip art of a wine glass? A Giphy of a cork popping from a champagne bottle? Or the art on a wine bottle luring you into purchasing it? None of the above! The art of wine I’m speaking of is the art of making the best wine possible.
Just as Leonardo de Vinci was an artist and scientist, so too are today’s winemakers. Oenologists, chemists, farmers, botanists, and ecologists alike. On my recent trip to the Texas Hill Country, I had the pleasure of meeting not only one, but two wine artists, husband and wife team Dane and Mckenzie Sanvido. What is most impressive about the owners of Untamed Wine Estates, is their focus on the broader Texas winemaking community through their “The Lab Pros” wine lab which supports more than 120 Texas vineyards and wineries.
The name Untamed stems from the couple’s desire to break free from the corporate world (both having met while working for a global giant in the wine industry). Today, they’re choosing their own path and doing things their way. When asked what they want visitors to walk away from when they experience Untamed’s beautiful tasting room which includes its own wood fired pizza oven, the answer is simple. Exceptional wine, food, service and atmosphere. Wines which are honest and true to their varietal. And a happy blend of art and science in their winemaking.
The art of wine behind the canvas
Behind the scenes, the wine laboratory, Mckenzie’s chemistry background translates into an open door policy. This allows members of the wine community in Texas and all offer the United States to test and manage quality, improve resilience, adjust and modify or analyze influences from vineyard to bottle. This highly collaborative approach and spirit is a welcome asset in the heart of Texas.
Further back of the house is Untamed’s winemaking facility. Approximately half of production is for Untamed wine. The remaining capacity is used by winemakers far and wide to create their own magic from the fruits of the vineyard into a vast array of red, white and rosé. As the Texas wine industry continues to flourish, it is facilities such as this which give new winemakers the ability to get a head start without the intense capital outlay. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. It’s a science for sure, but at Untamed, the art of wine expresses itself in a multitude of ways.
Cheers to the Untamed team and their contributions!
