It’s Tuesday, and here I am, sitting at my computer when right outside my window, the sun is shining. The weather is glorious.  I can’t help but wonder—what am I doing here? Inside!

I walk down the stairs and finding Michael, I ask him, “Do you want to go on a picnic tomorrow? To Perissos Vineyards?”

All I needed was a, “Whatever you want to do, Charlotte,” and I’m off—looking for recipes. I have a whole stack of picnic ideas I haven’t tried yet.  But today, I need to keep it simple. It is almost tomorrow.

Perissos Vineyards and Winery

Driving down Park Road 4 is a treat in itself, but seeing a castle rise above the hills in the distance makes us both feel like we are in another country. Michael backtracks, making a U-turn, and finds a spot to park so he can snap a photo.

Continuing on, we turn off Park Road 4 into the Perissos Vineyards entrance. Fields and fields of grapevines surround us. Unlike many other wineries, Perissos has devoted almost all available land to vineyards, not to manicured grounds. I can’t help but feel like I am back in Italy.

Rustic picnic tables are tucked into a tree-shaded area between the tasting room and grapevines. Most of them are empty today, which doesn’t surprise me since it is a Wednesday. Then I look up at distant hills and see the castle sitting on the edge of beyond.

A Bit of History

I first met the owners of Perissos Vineyard, Seth and Laura Martin, one Sunday many years ago, when we stumbled onto their winery by accident. Turning down the long drive, we ventured into a modest building that served as the tasting room. Back then, it was located in the barrel room; the tasting table consisted of wide planks atop several barrels; wine bottles stood open and ready to be poured. Surrounded by the barrels and tanks and bottles, I felt like I was deep in the depths of the winemaker’s soul.

The Martin’s two small sons were selling jars of homemade grape jelly, telling me all about the fruit as if they were connoisseurs. Being that it was grape jelly in the jar, I am sure they were. A giant black furry dog lay at my feet. I was charmed out of my mind. Even in the beginning, their wines were delicious, so I am looking forward to today.

• 

• 

The tasting room at Perissos has gone from the humble to the sublime. There is a certified sommelier, Greg Waldron, staffing a spacious new tasting room these days. I wait for him to finish helping a couple from Houston before stepping up to the counter. I then ask him for a wine recommendation to go with my spicy, grilled chicken and caramelized onion sandwich. He recommends a white wine called Serendipity, telling me it will be perfect. Dismayed, I let him know that Michael is not a lover of white wines—what about red? He recommends two, and I settle on Italian Stallion, a blend of four grapes because the name intrigues me, and well—WHY NOT? Before I pick up my two glasses and the bottle of red wine, Greg hands me a small glass of Serendipity to try with my meal.

An Autumn Picnic amid the Vines

• 

• 

Our picnic table, chosen by Michael, is adjacent to the grapevines and partially shaded by a giant oak. I begin to unpack the tote containing our repast that has been awaiting my arrival. Along with my sandwich creation, I retrieve a wonderful fresh carrot salad. It is adapted from a French classic and my mother’s version of carrot salad from decades ago. There are also Kalamata olives, kettle chips, purchased gourmet chocolate chip cookies, and fresh strawberries. Of course, I included sour cream and brown sugar for dipping.

• 

• 

Sitting here, sipping the slightly sweet Serendipity white wine with my meal, I realize what a brilliant suggestion the sommelier had in his recommendation. A marriage of half Orange Muscat and half Roussanne, this wine is a perfect pairing with the hot smoked paprika kissed sauce that coats the chicken and the sweet caramelized onions on top. After lunch, we sit and sip the red—an equal blend of Aglianico, Dolcetto, Montepulciano, and Sangiovese grapes from the High Plains AVA. It is lovely.

Our picnic at an end, Michael packs up and returns the detritus of our picnic to the trunk of our car, while I return the wine glasses to the tasting room. Before leaving, I purchase a bottle of Serendipity to serve with a spicy Asian dish that is on a future menu at home. While I search for my credit card, I chat with the sommelier about their 2011 Syrah. It was out of this world good; we bought a case. 2011, the year of no rain for eleven months, was hard on lawns and shrubs but perfect for Syrah grapes. Greg hands me a taste of the current release; I add a Perissos Estate Grown 2016 Syrah to my purchase. I think about buying more and a wider variety but refrain because I want an excuse to come back soon.

Waving to Michael, with his camera aimed in my direction, I make my way to the car. Once seated, we drive off, leaving the vineyards behind, taking the very long way home.

More on Perissos Vineyards and Winery

I learn that the word Perissos is a Greek word found in the Bible, meaning “exceeding abundantly, beyond what is expected, imagined, or hoped for.” That description fits the dreams of the Martin’s perfectly. The winery began with a serendipitous curiosity, then an idea that turned into a dream that turned into a reality. Perissos Vineyard and Winery went from humble beginnings to the beautiful winery and vineyards that stand in the middle of this wide valley today.

Today 70% of the grapes in their wine are estate-grown, and the other 30% are Texas to the bone, being sourced from the vineyards of other extraordinary farmers. I recognize the names of many of them.

Perissos’ selection of white wines consists of Picpoul Blanc to Rousanne to Viognier and two blends that include various Muscat varieties. There are fifteen different bottlings of red wine to choose from, with seven of them being from 100% estate-grown grapes. Perissos also offers two rosés and one dessert wine. It is easy to understand why the appellation Perissos was chosen.