Adelsverein - Texas Chardonnay

Fort Martin Scott - Late Harvest Muscat Hamburg

Turmstadt - Texas Chardonnay

Adelsverein

The Society of Noblemen (Adelsverein) was formed in 1842 by princes and noblemen of Germany. The initial intent was to form a society to help German citizens emigrate to the newly formed Republic of Texas. Whether concern over the conditions in Germany due to the problems of over-population or just enthusiasm about this new free land called Texas motivated the nobles is still a question. The loosely formed society was reorganized into a joint stock company in June of 1843. A constitution was adopted, and it officially called itself the “Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas.” Through the Society's efforts the settlement of Friedrichburg - Fredericksburg - was founded.

Fort Martin Scott

On December 5, 1848, a company of the 1st infantry under the command of Captain Seth Eastman set up camp on a site east of the settlement of Fredericksburg. This was a welcomed event for the pioneers providing much needed financial and moral support. Initially called Camp Sam Houston, and then later “The Camp at Fredericksburg” this outpost was finally named Fort Martin Scott after Lieutenant Colonel Martin Scott. Twice promoted for bravery under fire during the Mexican-American War, he was killed leading an assault on Molino Del Rey in September, 1847. Fort Martin Scott was the first in a series of forts to be established on the frontier. By 1853, the frontier had moved further west, and the Fort was abandoned. Occupied during the Civil War by the Confederates from 1861 to 1865, it was last occupied by the United States Cavalry in 1866. Currently Fort Martin Scott is undergoing restoration but is open to the public.
www.fortmartinscott.com

Texas Independence Day
March 2, 1836

Fifty-nine delegates met at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836. Inspired by the letter from William Travis, under siege at the Alamo, a committee of five delegates was appointed to draft a declaration of independence. Literally overnight “The Unanimous Declaration of the Independence made by the Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836” (The Texas Declaration of Independence) was written. The next day - March 2, 1836 - it was briefly reviewed and then adopted by the delegates. The “Convention of 1836” adjourned in the early hours of March 17 with the approach of Santa Anna and his army. Before their hasty departure, the delegates also prepared a constitution and organized an interim government for the newly formed Republic. The defenders of the Alamo, which fell March 6th, never knew Texas was a Republic.

Blue-Winged Teal
(Anas discors)
Wildlife Series #1

Among the first ducks to migrate in the fall and one of the last in the spring, the Blue-winged Teal is known for its speed and agility in flight. Flocks are small, compact and seem to perform their erratic flight maneuvers in unison.
In flight the most distinguishing feature is the large blue-gray upper wing patch which transitions to an iridescent green in the secondaries. The underwing appears almost white. A unique feature of the male (drake) is the white, black edged crescent in front of the eyes contrasting with the slate gray head and neck. Plumage is mottled brown with black speckles and a white spot on the side of the rear. The legs are rustic orange and the bill is gray-black. The female (hen) has a dark brown eye stripe and the bluish coverts are less vibrant than the males. The Blue-winged is rather small in size 12 - 14" long and .8 to 1.1 pounds when mature. A very vocal duck - the male has a soft whistled note and the female a high pitched squeak.

Fredericksburg, Texas
150th Anniversary • 1846 - 1996

May 8, 1846, the town of Fredericksburg was founded. May 8, 1996, commemorates the 150th Anniversary and in celebration, the release of this wine. Led by John O. Meusebach, 120 men, women, and children traveled with oxen-pulled wagons and Mexican carts from New Braunfels; a grueling 70-mile journey taking 16 days.

The Vereins-Kirche, the eight-sided building on our label, has long been the symbol o Fredericksburg. A multi-purpose building, the original was built in 1847 by the early pioneers and served as a church, meeting hall, school, and fort.

Port Carlshafen

Port Carlshafen, in Matagorda Bay, was selected by Prince Solms (General Commissioner of the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas) as the initial landing site for the immigrants. It was a 200 acre tract of land he leased near Indian Point - the area was eventually renamed Port Indianola.
The ship on the label is the Johann Detthard, the first ship to arrive from Bremen, Germany, on November 23, 1844. It was soon followed by the Ferdinand and the Hershell. Thousands of German immigrants followed during the years 1845 - 1847. Many, however, succumbed to the plagues of the time and did not make the journey inland. Among those pioneers who did were the founders of Fredericksburg. In 1866 a hurricane destroyed much of Port Carlshafen (Indianola).
Our port is a sweet, rich, full-bodied, ruby-red wine, barrel aged in small oak casks. It combines flavors and aromas of red and black currants, toasted oak, and sweet berries in a deep, heavy, fortified wine. Port is enjoyed by many as an after dinner drink or try pouring our port over homemade vanilla ice cream.

“Main Street Christmas”
by Charles Beckendorf [1930 -1996]

“Art is in the eye of the beholder” and Charles Beckendorf saw art everywhere in his native Texas — in its landscape, its wildlife, and its people. Raised in South Texas near Mathis, he was exposed to the culture of Texas that has since faded — the last of the frontiersmen. It provided him a value he expressed through his art — a love and appreciation for the wonders of nature. A look at any of his works amazes the viewer as to the detail and realism Beckendorf has given it. His wildlife paintings have such detail and accuracy, when viewing one you want to hold your breath rather than frighten the animals.
“Main Street Christmas” (a 12“ X 16” Acrylic on Canvas) painted by Charles Beckendorf and presented to his wife, Dawn, was his only Christmas theme. A long time Fredericksburg resident, and a friend of our family, we are honored to use his painting on the label of our first Christmas Wine.
Visit the Charles Beckendorf Gallery located at 519 E. Main, Fredericksburg, and see Charles Beckendorf’s Texas.

F&N
(Fredericksburg & Northern)

A railroad into town was once the dream of every frontier town. Fredericksburg was not to get its railroad until 1913, more than twenty-five years after the concept was originally presented. As a thriving commerce center and one of the last stageline stops on the way to California, by 1874 the need for rail service had been identified.
November 18, 1913 at 1:10 P.M. (three hours late), two trains arrived from San Antonio to kickoff three days of celebration in Fredericksburg - the railroad had finally come to town. The SAF&N (San Antonio, Fredericksburg & Northern Railway Company, 1913-1917) had overcome the “Big Hill” located approximately 14 miles down track by digging the first railroad tunnel in Texas. The tunnel was dug through limestone and is 40 feet in height (with no internal supports) and a length of 920 feet. The Fredericksburg & Northern Railway Company (F&N) bought the assets of the SAF&N and began operation at midnight December 31, 1917. The F&N Railway Company operated until 1942 when the equipment and track was sold to the United States Government during World War II.
The Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area (the former F&N Railroad Tunnel) is now the home of 1-2 million Mexican bats and is protected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Devil's Claw
(Proboscidea louisianica)
Wildflower Series #8

The fruit pod of the “Devil's Claw” is tipped with a long, curved beak. When dried, this beak splits into two curved class almost forming a circle and easily attaching to the legs of various animals. It becomes a “devil” to remove. The plant is usually 1 - 2' high, primarily growing in groups with leaves that are wider (4 - 10”) than they are long. Heart-shaped or cordate with wavy edges, leaves are covered with spiny hairs, which also occur on the stems. The flower head at the end of a single stem normally consists of 6 - 15 flowers with only 1 - 2 blooming simultaneously. Individual flowers are four lobed, 2 - 3” long, and vary in color from pink to white with purple or brown spots. These spots start at the edge of the throat of the flower and get progressively smaller deeper into the throat. Seeds are multiple in the pod and have been used as food. Dried pods are often used for decoration due to their unusual shape. The blooming period runs from June to September.

Hailstorm
A vineyard's worst nightmare -
a HAILSTORM.

One hailstorm can devastate a vineyard in just a few minutes, knocking off leaves and breaking and bruising the vines themselves. If there is a grape crop hanging, the destruction can even be greater. In July, 1999, not one, but five hit the Old Spanish Trail Research Vineyard in a three-week period. One storm was pea-size but mounded to 3” deep on the vineyard floor, another contained hailstones 4” in diameter. Tons of grapes were lying on the ground and it was thought the entire crop was lost. Crop-dusters had to be brought in to spray copper, zinc and sulfur to help heal the vines because it was too wet to do it from the ground. Six weeks later, the 30-acre vineyard containing 141 varieties, clones and/or combinations was harvested - yield - 4 tons. This is the wine from this unusual harvest. Harvest was at 31.1° brix and was fermented to 3.5° brix at 12.5% alcohol. This wine has a flavor you will never taste again - we hope.

Indian Blanket
(Gailardia pulchella)
Wildflower Series #3

The Indian Blanket produces flowers of bright colors. The pinwheel patterned flower head starts with dark red or rust and ends with yellow tips. Solitary at the tips of long stalks, the disk type flowers are numerous from the base. Measuring 1.25 - 2” in the flowers are composed of 6 - 10 ray flowers; petals are three-lobed. The plant is hairy, usually 1 - 2' tall, and may be upright to sprawling. Leaves are .75 - 3” long, .25 - .75” wide, alternating on the stalk. The elongated leaves may be pointed or slightly rounded at the apex, but the base is usually clasping. Sometimes referred to as Firewheel, the G. pulchella is easily cultivated and is the only annual gailardia in Texas.

Maestro of Fredericksburg
1858 - 1929

Born October 15, 1858, in Fredericksburg, Texas, Frank Valentin van der Stucken became a world-recognized composer and conductor, beginning in the late 1800's. His father, Belgian by birth, Texan by choice, was a successful merchant and distinguished Confederate officer. Seeing signs of musical genius in his young son, age eight, he moved his family back to Belgium to allow him a musical education under masters in Europe. By age 16, Frank had completed two original works, including a ballet presented in the Royal Theater. In 1882, he composed the music for Shakespeare's “The Tempest”. He returned to America and became the founding Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and named Dean of the Cincinnati College of Music. He was guest conductor with the Boston and Chicago Symphony Orchestras and New York Philharmonic. At the World Exposition in Paris in 1889, van der Stucken received honors for conducting the first European concert featuring exclusively American compositions. Moving to Germany in 1912, he continued working both in Europe and America. His farewell concert was held in Antwerp at the Hall of the Royal Society of Zoology in 1927. On his 70th birthday in 1928, events honoring him were held in Cincinnati and New York, and a state historic marker was placed on his birthplace, 125 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas. Less than one year later, August 18, 1929, the Maestro of Fredericksburg died in Hamburg, Germany. Each spring a music festival is celebrated in his honor in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Zelebration

“Zelebration” is the German word for celebration. This wine is for celebrating with friends and family. We are releasing it during the holiday season with its medium sweet and fruity style making a wonderful compliment to the holiday fare. In Fredericksburg, Oktoberfest leads off the holiday season followed by the Van Der Stucken Music Festival, Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, Thanksgiving, Kinderfest, Weihnachten in Fredericksburg, Christmas, Zweite Weihnachten, and culminates with the New Year celebration.

We - the Switzer family - hope you enjoy this wine and wish you joy and happiness throughout the year and especially during this season of "Zelebration".

Winecup
(Callirhoe involucrata)
Wildflower Series #1

The Winecup was chosen as the first in a series featuring the Wildflowers of Texas on the label. Blooming February - July, the dark purple-red, wine colored flower is deeply cupped, consists of 5 petals with white inside near the base. Leaves 1” - 2” long are 1” - 2” in width, shallowly or deeply toothed with 5 - 7 narrow lobes. A sprawling plant, Winecups are 6” - 12” in height with widely spreading stems. These perennials grow in many of the environments of Texas and are exceptionally prolific in the Texas Hill Country.

Vertrag (Treaty)
A PLEDGE KEPT - A TREATY (VERTRAG) HONORED.

On May 23, 1997, Fredericksburg celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Treaty between the settlers of Fredericksburg and American Indians living in the region. An expedition let by Baron von Meusebach left the settlement on January 22, 1847, venturing into the territory of the Comanche Indians against the advice of the Governor of Texas and many others. After several interim meetings with various Indian groups, a meeting with the Chiefs was set On March 2, 1847, following two days of discussions an agreement was reached. As promised, two full moons later, representatives of the Comanche Nation assembled in Fredericksburg and signed a Treaty with the people of Fredericksburg. The signing took place May 9, 1847, and has gone down in history as one of the few Treaties never broken.

Two Sisters

This Late Harvest Chardonnay is the second Late Harvest Chardonnay produced in Texas. The grapes came from the Graham Vineyard, a small (1/2 acre) Chardonnay planting near Plains, Texas, and for the last three years has produced outstanding fruit. The vineyard was started by Buster and Ann Graham in 1988, at her insistence. Ann pampered the vines until her untimely death in 1997. Fortunately, her sister, Nita Nell Wilson (an RN who had retired in 1990), also enjoyed the vineyard and on many occasions had come by to help Ann. Nita has now moved her RV next to the vineyard and is overseeing its care. The love for the vines must run in the family. Rumor has it, the two sisters' Aunt Mary Snell made wine and buried it in fruit jars for aging. Keep up the good work - the grapes respond to love.

Snow-on-the-Mountain
(Euphorbia marginata)
Wildflower Series #5

This very show plant can form extensive colonies covering large areas. August - October is the bloom period. the stiffly upright (12” - 40” height) hairy annual herb often branches in the upper portion into twos or threes. Thirty-five male and one female flowers are congested in a cuplike structure having five white petals. A terminal cluster is formed by several of these flowers and is surrounded by green leaflike bracts with white margins; bracts 2” - 4” long, 1/2” - 3/4” wide are narrower and shorter than leaves. Leaves are alternating. Snow-on-the-mountain is a member of the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) which is most noted for the Christmas Poinsettia (E. pulcherrima).

Skeleton Plant
(Lygodesmia texana)
Wildflower Series #6

A slender upright perennial herb appears leafless and therefore its common name. The leaves are usually only at the base by flowering time with the upper leaves reduced to being scale-like. An erect plant, 10” - 24” tall, usually several stems, and sparsely branched, each branch terminating with a flower. The flower head, 1” - 2” in diameter, pink to lavender in color, is actually comprised of 8 - 12 true flowers each appearing as one petal. The ray flowers are square at the tip with 3 - 5 minute lobes. From the center of each rises another tube with a two-part style. Each flower head blooms separately and only lasts for a few hours. The L. texana is a member of the Sunflower Family (Asteraceae) and the bloom period is from April to October.

Rain-Lily
(Cooperia Drummondi/Pedunculata)
Wildflower Series #4

Often a day or two after a rain, between the months of May through September, the Rain-Lily (sometimes called the Evening-Star) will bloom. The white flower has six petal-like lobes usually tinged in pink, where it emerges from the floral tube. The flowers are 1.25” - 2” in diameter, terminal, upright, and solitary on a leafless stem. The leaves, like the flower, emerge from the bulb becoming very elongated, slender, and grasslike. Both the flower and leaves reach up to 12” in height. The C. pedunculata has a floral tube of 1” - 1.5” and blooms more often in the spring and early summer while the C. drummondi (giant Rain-Lily) has a floral tube of 3” - 7” usually blooming in September and October. The flowers, normally lasting 4 days, open in the evening.

Maximilian Sunflower
(Helianthus Maximiliani)
Wildflower Series #2

During the Fall, the creek sides of the Hill Country are alive with the majestic Maximilian Sunflower. Often a towering six feet in height, this perennial has brilliant yellow flowers running the full length of the stem - unquestionably the predominant slower of the Fall season. Growing in colonies or groupings, they have several unbranched upright stems covered with short rough hairs. In drier areas, the Maximilian may reach only one foot in height. The hairy lanceolate shaped leaves alternate and vary from 2” - 10” in length. The composite flower head, 2” - 3” wide are bright yellow with a yellow disk.

Freiwilliger
(Volunteers)

The City of Fredericksburg is blessed with many individuals who contribute to the economic, spiritual and social welfare of the community through their Volunteer efforts. The contribution of their time makes possible the many events which take place in Fredericksburg. They have stood in the wet and cold during Kristkindl Markt and in the heat during Night in Old Fredericksburg. These dedicated individuals have painted floats and their faces to provide the best parades in the State. They have opened their homes for tours and events- but most importantly, they have opened their hearts and selflessly given to this community making it a better place for us all. We, the Switzer Family, Salute you one and all. PROST!

Enchanted Rock

The large impressions in the rock are - according to legend - footprints of an Indian Chief's spirit who angered the gods when (against tribal beliefs) he sacrificed his daughter.
At night, spirit fires dance on the rock to warm phantom warriors of a forgotten tribe who made their last stand here - or, so the story is told. Enchanted Rock has been enchanted and held sacred since before written history.
Enchanted Rock is the second largest batholith in the United States. The exposed portion is only a fraction of the batholith which covers about 90 square miles. A State Natural Area, the Park is located 18 miles north of Fredericksburg. The flora and fauna, geography, and view all add to the enchantment.

Der Keller
(The Cellar - 1923)

Sometime the events in the past come to light in the present in strange ways. This is true for the Fredericksburg Winery, which may now have the oldest barrel room in the State of Texas. In July of 1999, it was discovered the cellar (der Keller) used for our barrel storage and aging room had more history than originally thought. It (the cellar) was not built in 1967 when the rest of the building was constructed for the Knopp & Metzger Grocery Store. Instead, it was dug when the Künemann Hardware Store was rebuilt in 1923. The original Künemann Hardware Store was started by Henry and Elsie Dorothea Künemann, but what year, no one has been able to document. Later, two brothers, Arthur and Charles Künemann, bought the store from the remaining family heirs. When Charles passed away in 1945, Arthur bought his interest and operated the Künemann Hardware Store until it closed in 1957.

Corderillas

On many old maps you will find the valley where the town of Fredericksburg is now located referred to as the Valley of the Corderillas. The range forming the Valley was known as the Corderillas Mountains (in Spanish “Corderillas” means mountain range). Today it is more commonly called the Pedernales Valley.
The microclimate in the Valley is a result of its unique geographic features. Elevations range up to 2,250 feet above sea level and, at a distance of more than 200 miles inland from the Gulf Coast, weather is very moderate. Annual precipitation of 27.44 inches, low humidities, and no smog provide a growing season of approximately 219 days.
This wine has many of the characteristics of a Rhine Wine - spicy in flavor, a crisp clean finish and a good does of fruit acidity on the palate.

Bin 214

The first Bin 214 was the mystery wine from the 1997 harvest. During crush a picking bin of Cabernet Sauvignon had the number 214 but no vineyard name. The grapes were outstanding with a brix of 26.5°. They were used to make our first late harvest Cabernet Sauvignon - all 96 cases. Later, it was discovered the grapes had come from Hoss and LaVerne Newsom's Vineyard on county road 214. We lost Hoss in 2000 - the Switzer family lost a good friend and supporter - the Texas wine industry lost a pioneer and an innovator. This wine is dedicated to Hoss Newsom. In 2001, we finally found that exceptional bin of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes - we think he would approve. In keeping with tradition, we will not disclose what vineyard these grapes came from - only we and Hoss will know.

Baron's Bach Burgundy

Baron's Creek (Baron's Bach in German) on the South and Town Creek on the North were the two natural boundaries of the town of Fredericksburg. The site was chosen by Baron Ottfried Hans von Meusebach, a naturalized citizen of Texas and the United States of America who later changed his name to John O. Meusebach. The settlers names Baron's Creek in his honor. In February, 1845, he succeeded Prince Solms as General Commissioner of the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas. His academic and practical experience were in geology, natural science, jurisprudence, and national economics. He established a peace treaty with the Indians leading to a substantial trading relationship. Additionally, Meusebach served as State Senator, Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, and Notary of the Public before retiring from public service.