Couple transforms land into wine-making oasis

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  Torr Na Lochs wines tend to be fruit-forward, and the reds at Torr Na Lochs are aged in French oak barrels for about 12-18 months. Contributed photo

  Torr Na Lochs wines tend to be fruit-forward, and the reds at Torr Na Lochs are aged in French oak barrels for about 12-18 months. Contributed photo

Much has been written about the famous Torr Na Lochs Vineyard and Winery that rests magnifi cently above the Colorado River Valley overlooking Inks Lake and Lake Buchanan.

Torr Na Lochs Vineyard and Winery is located at 7055 W Hwy. 29 in Burnet County.

Aptly named Torr Na Lochs, roughly translated from the Gaelic language, means Hill Over Lakes.

The story, however, really began with high school sweethearts Blake and Karen DeBerry, who met in the eighth grade in San Antonio, Texas.

They discovered early in their relationship that they were both visionaries with similar goals in life.

They both visited Lake LBJ every summer while growing up and loved the Highland Lakes area of Texas Hill Country. Stories unfold, and our lives become intertwined with the day-to-day issues of living. Blake and Karen got married but found themselves living in Singapore for eight years.

Subsequently, Blake’s job took them to Aberdeen, Scotland, for two more years. Because they had developed a deep love for the Highland Lakes Area, they had begun to look for property to purchase there as early as 1990 so they could one day return.

Karen shared, “In the spring of 2004, we woke to a cold, rainy day in Scotland, prompting Blake to search the internet for properties available in Texas. Ten minutes later, he said, “I think I’ve found it.”

What Blake DeBerry found was 250 acres of raw land that, unbeknownst to them, would one day become Torr Na Lochs Vineyard and Winery. Originally, the idea was to build a house and retire with a few head of cattle. In 2011 they found themselves moving back to Texas but decided to take a side trip to Austra- lia first. While there, they visited the Margaret River Region, home to many of Australia’s premium wine producers.

As a result of that trip, the vision for Torr Na Lochs began to take shape as they saw many similarities between the vineyards in Australia and their recently purchased ranch in Burnet County, Texas.

When they returned to Texas, the DeBerrys worked every weekend for two years on their ranch to prepare for plant- ing their first grapevines in April of 2014. Because it was raw land, wells had to be dug, roads constructed, and electricity brought to the property.

The soil is primarily decomposed granite, making it a monumental task to move so many rocks, but today, three acres of Malbec, Syrah, and Petite Sirah grapes grace that once rock-strewn acreage, and why you will see the phrase, “From Rocks to Wine” on many of the marketing pieces for Torr Na Lochs. Construction of the Tasting Room and production facility began in the summer of 2014, and the first Estate vintage wines were produced in 2015.

First vintage

The production of their first vintage was helped by some long-time Texas winemakers who walked Karen and Blake through the basic winemaking methods.

Karen had previously obtained a certificate in viticulture, which is the study of, and the science associated with, the cultivation of grapes, and that has helped them to understand the entire process of producing a premium vintage, literally from the planting to the finished wines.

Karen pointed out that “Blake and I make the wines together. It is part art, part science and what we make leans more toward the art of winemaking. We like to let the fruit speak for itself.”

She also contends that Torr Na Lochs wines tend to be fruit-forward, and the reds at Torr Na Lochs are aged in French oak barrels for about 12-18 months.

At Torr Na Lochs, “the lightly oaked wines are a little softer than those that have spent more time in the barrels.”

Although they offer estate wines from their own vineyard, most of their grapes come from the High Plains area in Texas. Called by many “the Mediterranean of North America,” this area of Texas is known for Montepulciano, the second most planted red grape in Southern Italy, Dolcetto, Tempranillo, and other varieties that thrive in the higher elevations of the towns spread throughout the Texas Panhandle.

Karen told us that “the difference in climate and the shorter ripening season in Texas greatly af- fects the flavor of wines versus the longer ripening season in wine regions like California.” Torr Na Lochs supports the Texas Wine industry by using only grapes grown in Texas.

Because Blake and Karen are committed to the art of winemaking, Torr Na Lochs wines have won numerous awards from competitions such as the Houston Livestock Show’s Rodeo Uncorked International Wine Competition, Texsom International Wine Awards, Lone Star International Wine Competition, as well as from the San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition.

Wine club

For wine enthusiasts, Torr Na Lochs offers a Wine Club with quarterly shipments (Torr Na Lochs does not ship outside of Texas) based on three levels that include the distinction of being first to experience club member-only wine re- leases and other benefits, including opportunities to attend quarterly pick-up parties and other member only events and use of the Cairn, a pergola located at the highest point on the property with an amazing 360-degree view of the valley.

The Cairn seats 12 by reservation and is perfect for a more private experience. In addition, take advantage of private table service in the Tasting Room or on the expansive patio and enjoy wood- fired pizza and live music on most Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Tasting Room at Torr Na Lochs is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. To accompany your wine, choose from charcuterie boards, cheese plates, paninis, bruschetta, or a salad. Wine and food selections vary, but the constant is that visiting Torr Na Lochs has been described by customers as “feeling like they had been invited into the DeBerry home,” based on the hospitality and high standards of service that the Torr Na Lochs staff are known for providing.

Blake and Karen invite you to share their vision of offering a “Truly Texas Wine Experience" amid the beauty of the Highland Lakes Area. As the fifth largest produc er of wines in the United States, Texas has become a destination for wine enthusiasts who appreciate the unique quality of the wines and the distinctive and sometimes unusual style of each Hill Country winery.

The principal difference, however, is the famous Hill Country hospitality and the passion that drives wineries like Torr Na Lochs to make your experience as unforgettable as Texas. They look forward to sharing their story with you and introducing you to their excellent staff, who will make your visit as memorable as the premium wines of Torr Na Lochs. Call them at 512-766-0555 or visit the website at www.torrnalochs. com for more information.

Torr Na Lochs Vineyard and Winery is located at 7055 W Hwy. 29, Burnet, Texas.