We have a rule at our house. It applies to us both at home and when we travel.  We call it the One Thing A Day Rule. Well it seems rules are meant to be broken, especially if you live in the Texas Hill Country. Especially if you live between two very different but vibrant and inviting cities. Especially if you say yes, without looking at the calendar. Opportunities are around every corner and in every email and every person you talk to.

Becker Vineyards

So here we are again.  Double booked. A wine pairing lunch at Becker Vineyards in the Hill Country. A river festival of sorts down the road in San Antonio. And the weather is typical South Central Texas February weather.  Yukky. Oh well.

At least today it is not windy as we make our way across the grass, still green even though it is February, at Becker Vineyards, run-walking in a beeline toward the Lavender Haus event building to get out of the cold damp air and indulge in one more Chef’s Table Wine Pairing Luncheon. I feel just a tad guilty for signing up two times in a row, when there is a maximum of 20 guests.  However, when I discovered lamb shanks were on the menu all of my generosity to fellow foodies and wine lovers flew out the window and selfishness took over. The early bird getting the worm was a lesson learned a long time ago—and he who hesitates is lost.

Food

Wine

So once again I am happy to be here, with only weeks in between today and the last luncheon. It is quiet and mellow in the Lavender Haus as Michael and I sit sipping and snacking, waiting for the feast to begin. When it does I am presented with the tiniest of potatoes loaded with an abundance of caviar—but not real caviar I learn. Caviar is from sturgeon. The delicacy before me is Tobiko Blind Fish Roe from Japan, a.k.a Flying Fish Roe. It is delicious and provides the perfect decadent bite, perfectly accompanied by a Becker Vineyards 2017 vintage Viognier Reserve, a Gold Medal winning wine in the 2019 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Family

In between courses we get a glimpse of family life in the Becker household during the early wine planting, winemaking years. Richard and Joe Becker are totally entertaining, but what I take away from all the chatter and laughter are the love and adoration and gratitude both father and son have for wife and mother—Bunny Becker—the smartest member of their family. The one who ramrodded the planting of the first vines— in the rain.

This really is a family affair—a loving family affair. I’m happy to be a part of it — well at least on the edge of it looking in.

Food & Wine

The lamb shank is served and it is perfectly sized. Meltingly tender. Buttery luscious. Deliciously savory.  What more can I say? Chef Michael Lockhart is still tops in my book.   What he says is, “I used wine—a lot of wine.” My dear sweet Michael wants me to get the recipe.

The wine that accompanies the entrée is a 2016 Malbec Reserve and a 2012 Estate Reserve Merlot. Michael loves the deep rich Becker Vineyards Estate Merlot the best—of course. It is not available to buy. However, the Malbec Reserve is also lovely. It is reminiscent of a French Malbec and is also a Gold Medal Winner in the 2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Michael and I are both on the edge of full, but there is always room for something sweet. Luckily, following the substantial entrée, is a small crimson jewel of a pear for dessert. Soaked, saturated, imbued with Becker Port. It is perfect. And we get to sample the Becker Vineyards Malmsey once again.  I think I’m in love with Malmsey—the tasting profile really could be Liquid Love.

Friends

During the course of the luncheon we have made friends on both sides—Michael with a mother-daughter duo. Me with a couple from Houston—the wife pretty much sounding fresh from Scotland, the husband from Brazil. All four are charming adventurers. All four are not native Texans. They let us know they do not want to live anywhere else—they love it here. 

I love it here. What’s not to love? It is a place full of soul, and warmth, and wildflowers, and flowing water, and wine. And music. And…

Back in the car — a bottle of Becker Malmsey, Clementine and Port in the back seat — driving toward San Antonio and our evening adventure, I check Becker’s calendar for the next luncheon and see that they are sold out. I deserve that. I need to take turns.

Darn!

Check out Becker Vineyards Website

For more information on ALL of the wonderful events held at Becker Vineyard and to learn more about their history and the wonderful wines they make, click on the following LINK for Becker Vineyards. And check out the previous Chef’s Table Luncheon at Becker Vineyards in January.