Flat Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard

The Journey

At 9:30 am, seven of us pile into a friend’s giant SUV—our destination is Flat Creek Estate Winery and Vineyard, twenty-two miles east of Marble Falls. Someone in our motley crew must live right—rain has been in the forecast every day for the past ten—even today—but there is a break in Texas springtime thunderstorms, and we are taking advantage of it; hitting the road with plans to eat, drink, and be merry. Leaving Highway 281, we turn right onto FM 1431—a curling gray ribbon of country road—edged with green green grass, colorful wildflowers of May, broad vistas, and blue skies.

Flat Creek Estate

I have walked this way before, but Flat Creek Estate is new to my friends. It is a stunning property, tucked down a back road, nestled in low rolling hills covered with grapevines, green grass, and giant oaks. Since we first stepped foot on Flat Creek Vineyard almost fifteen years ago, they have expanded and grown. Today there is a restaurant, an outdoor and an indoor tasting area, a special events venue, a disc golf course, and a beautiful airy pavilion for outdoor dining, as well as rustic picnic tables scattered throughout the property. In a word, it is heaven. And most importantly, their wines are lovely.

We arrive minutes after the winery opens for business, so we have a choice of tables in their outdoor pavilion, normally reserved for patrons of their Estate outdoor dining restaurant. However, today, with special permission, we are able to bring our picnic feast and pair our three-course meal with their delicious wines. Fortunately, Flat Creek Estate has wines to fit every palate and every occasion. My friends and I decided to have a pitch-in picnic today and divide the cooking.

Food & Wine

Our first course is a light and tasty crostini topped with fresh mozzarella, a slice of red, ripe tomato, a drizzle of balsamic, and shredded basil. The Althea Prosecco, imported from Drussian Winery in Italy, is a perfect accompaniment. We manage to devour every last crumb and drink every last drop of the bubbly wine.

We choose two red wines to accompany our main course of tender fillet mignon with a tangy horseradish sauce, sides of oven-roasted new potatoes and a lightly dressed, bright, and fresh salad of summer vegetables. I fall in love with the 2014 Reserve Barbera and buy an extra bottle to take home. The 2016 Super Texan, Flat Creek Estate’s most popular wine, is equally good but lighter and is made from a blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Primitivo, and Petite Sirah. All grape varieties that I like on their own—blended they are great.

Finally, it is time for my contribution—dessert. I chose to bake a decadent coconut tart with a tender buttery crust (Click on the following link for the recipe—https://www.charlottestexashillcountry.com/coconut-tart/) and chose a white dessert wine, Mistella, to accompany it. Mistela (Spanish) and Mistelle (French) are the terms for a sweet wine crafted similar to port—a mixture of grape juice and grape brandy. Sipping it on its own is delicious, and pairing it with the rich tart is beyond brilliant.

Because the owner, Rick Naber, has stopped by our picnic feast to chat, and because I have eight slices of tart and there are only seven of us, I plate him a piece, pour him a glass of Mistella, pull up one more chair, and he joins us for our last course. Rick is a font of knowledge, and we all learn a lot about the Texas wine industry and Flat Creek Estate.

Madelyn & Rick Naber, Owners

When many people retire, they, throw away their suits and ties, sit back read a book, and dream about travel. Others move to the country. Some open a winery. Madelyn and Rick Naber are two such people, and Flat Creek Estate Winery and Vineyard is their beautiful child. The Naber’s wine journey began in the year 2000 when they planted 6,000 vines on a mere 6 acres. By 2012 there were 20 acres of vineyards on their 80 acres of beautiful Texas Hill Country farmland. Flat Creek’s estate wines consist of Shiraz, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, and different Portuguese Port varietals.

Like many starting in the industry, Rick was a Jack of all Trades—owner, grower, marketer, seller, and driver. Probably more. However, he did hire an experienced winemaker. Once the wine was harvested, blended, aged, and bottled, Rick would load up his truck with 50 cases, driving north, south, and east to the large metropolitan areas of the state. One city. One truckload. One day. Turn around and do it again the next day. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

Today, Flat Creek Estate Winery and Vineyard is a force in the industry. Not only do they create and sell delicious wines, but Flat Creek is also a destination unto itself. The Naber’s have utilized every inch of their property, making it a day trip haven. I look forward to returning soon and enjoying their Chef’s Three-Course Menu and Wine Pairing. The menu changes every two months, and I am trying hard to determine when I can fit it into my schedule before the end of May to taste their mushroom dill soup, duck confit, and blueberry tart, all with perfect wine pairings.

A Walk Among the Vines

Before calling it a day, we take a short walk among the vines. Stop again. Talk again. The weather is perfect. The food was delicious. The wines, great. We all agree this day is perfection.