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"Wine is sunlight, held together by water."
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
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Spring is the time of rebirth and growth and the Texas
Wine Industry is in the process of doing just that. Now
with 80 bonded wineries in Texas the future is looking
bright as the Texas summer sun. Improvements are being
developed in Marketing, Quality Control, and science of
Vineyard Management. This all means that the state is on
the crest of a new wave and will be a major player sooner
than one might think.
My
latest find in Texas wine is the Circle S Vineyards in
Sugar Land, Texas.
Hate to drive far out of town to experience the wine
lifestyle? No need with a visit to Circle S Vineyards
located in the suburbs of Houston.
Just off the Southwest freeway in Sugar Land, a mere 19
miles from Houston’s City Hall, the Stacy family has
brought to the city more than just a wine sales outlet.
Circle S is the only fully functioning winery in Houston.
The single difference between Circle S and any other
winery you may have visited, is the absence of acres of
grape laden vineyards encircling the winery.
“Inside the winery, where it really counts,” says owner
Dave Stacy, “the
art of making fine wines is our singular mission.” Every
day, people who love wines are able to tour the winery,
walk around the vats and barrels and discover for
themselves
what makes a great bottle of wine.
Winemaker Dave Stacy can trace his winemaking heritage
back four generations. And with vineyards in Centerville,
Texas and Tuscany, Italy makes for some very interesting
wines.
Dave
along with his wife Helen likes to say, “Good wine is like
a strong relationship, it takes hard work, time, and a lot
of love”. With an attitude like that Circle S can’t help
but be a success.
Stacy has brought the process into THE CITY. Award
winning wines are made from the grape harvest at the
Centerville, Texas vineyards
and also family vineyards in Tuscany, Italy. Stacy’s
insistence on using only the finest grapes has resulted in
Circle S Vineyards producing several award winning wines,
including seven gold medal winners. Varietals currently
available are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir,
Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Chardonnay and Ilbello, the
latter being Stacy’s own signature blend.
“Good wine
is like a strong relationship, it takes hard work, time,
and a lot of love”.
Whether you are a Houston resident or visitor, all lovers
of fine wines are invited to enjoy the Circle S experience
and understand why Circle S wines are becoming so popular.
Dave and his wife Helen are adamant that visitors feel at
home when at their winery. “We designed the winery to
offer a relaxing and intimate place for people to feel
comfortable. They can stop in to learn about wine, meet
friends, or just unwind at the end of the day.” The
winery features upstairs living rooms with comfortable
sofas in elegant settings with soft lighting, music and a
monthly exhibition of fine art by prominent Houston area
artists.
 Circle S
Vineyards is something special in Texas and well worth the
time spent investigating their products. Enjoy what Texas
has to offer and remember Always DRINK
TEXAS!
T O U R S & T A S T I N
G S
Tuesday-Thursday 11am to 7:30pm
Friday-Saturday 11am to 8:30pm
Sunday 12-5pm
www.circlesvineyards.com
9920 Hwy 90 A, #B-268
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Sugar Land, Texas 77478
P: (281) 265-9463
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(281) 325-0631
The winery and tasting room are located at the corner of
HWY 90A and Dairy Ashford in Sugar Land. From the
SouthWest Freeway, exit the Dairy Ashford and Sugar Creek
exit. Turn North and proceed just a few hundred feet.
Circle S Vineyards is located on your left in the
Sugar Point Center. |
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Tom
Cruise's
Linguine
with Zesty Red Clam Sauce
Makes about 4 1/2 cups of sauce - Serves 6
This is not your typical red clam sauce.
You use freshly steamed clams here, served in
their shells, in a light tomato sauce heady
with garlic, that is peppery, too.
To crush garlic, use the same technique you
do to peel it. First separate the cloves from
the head. Put the flat side of a knife down on
one garlic clove at a time and with your other
hand smack the knife right over the clove.
This should split the garlic peel with one
whack. If it doesn't, try again. Remove the
peels and use the cloves whole.
Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup capers, undrained
2 cups chopped parsley plus 1/2 cup additional
for garnish
2 cups chopped plum tomatoes
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt
1 heaping teaspoon freshly ground black
pepper
Pasta
1 pound linguine
Clams
30 littleneck clams, scrubbed
1/4 cup chopped garlic
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup vegetable broth or water
To make the tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a
large saucepan until hot. Add the garlic and
capers, then carefully add the parsley. Stand
back because the oil may spatter. Add the
tomatoes, lemon juice, wine, pepper flakes,
salt, and black pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a
boil. Add the linguine and cook according to
the package directions until firm but tender.
While the pasta is cooking, steam the
clams. Place the clams in another large pot
with the garlic, wine, and vegetable broth.
Cover and bring to a boil over high heat,
shaking the pot, until all the shells are
open. Leaving the open clams in the pot, drain
off all but 1/4 cup of the steaming liquid and
stir it into the tomato sauce. Cover the clams
and keep warm while preparing the rest of the
dish.
Drain the linguine and add to the tomato
sauce. Cook over high heat for about 4 minutes
to heat through.
Divide the pasta among 6 heated bowls. Top
each serving with 5 clams and garnish with the
remaining parsley. |
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