Sometimes when you visit a winery and taste the wines, you might remark that this winemaker knows what he’s doing. That’s true with Briggs Horne from 7 Creeks Vineyard. Located in Burnet, the winery has a nice property with an estate vineyard and the wines and events are excellent. We are proud to feature Briggs Horne as this month’s winemaker profile!
What did you do before becoming a winemaker?
Actually, I still have my day job working as a consultant in the technology industry. It makes for a hectically busy life, but it’s been a blessing financially as we fund our winery and vineyard’s growth.
What is the toughest challenge about being a winemaker in Texas?
Since I’m still a newcomer, I’d say everything! But I’d say the toughest challenge is mastering extraction of phenolics (color, flavor, tannins, etc.) from the grapes. Our days and nights are so hot here that the grapes ripen so fast that it can be a challenge for them to fully develop. Knowing when to pick your grapes is so extremely important!
Is winemaking an art or a science or both?
Certainly both. Chemistry is the foundation of winemaking, but the art is what makes a stellar wine from an average wine (think what type of oak barrels, percent of new oak vs. neutral, how long to age, what to blend, etc.). Wine education does great in teaching you the chemistry, but the art is all about real
This Article was originally published on Texas Wine Lover
