Daughters of the American Revolution Tour Saint Jo
Members of the Rebecca Crockett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution visited Saint Jo October 14th for their monthly meeting. Twenty-two ladies, coming from the central north Texas area, spent the day touring the Museum of the Stonewall Saloon, the new Ordinance Museum, Davis and Blevins Gallery and dined at the Lazy Heart Grill. They were welcomed by aninformative and hospitable group including Billie Grigsby, Rose Sicking, Donna Howell-Sickles, Danny Steadham, Susan Causey, Craig Olden, Janis Sneed. and the staff of the Lazy Heart Grill. Following their formal meeting, they continued to shop through the stores located on the square. These ladies were awed by the opportunities located in and around Saint Jo.
June 28, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE COWBOYS ARE COMING!!
It’s never too late to be a cowboy…or at least see a real one in action!
The Saint Jo Chamber of Commerce announces it’s first Chisholm Trail event leading up to the Chisholm Trail’s 150th Anniversary in 2017.
The Saint Jo Chisholm Trail Ranch Roundup will be held Saturday, September 3, 2016. This is not your typical rodeo! Four man teams of cowboys perform actual tasks which occur on the Trail, or the ranch!
Before the Roundup begins, enjoy an authentic chuck wagon dinner while Grammy-nominate and Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame artist Dave Alexander serenades.
Ticket demand will be high so watch for details!
Saint Jo was founded in 1849 as Head of Elm so named because of its location on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. It was a watering stopover for the drovers and cattle on the Chisholm Trail and the Stonewall Saloon, now a museum, served as an entertainment stop for the drovers.
June 21, 2016
PRESS RELEASE
NORTH TEXAS WINEMAKERS BRING HOME THE GOLD
The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association hosted the 33rd Annual Lone Star International Wine Competition on June 6th and 7th at the Grapevine Convention Center in Grapevine, and one of our local wineries was recognized for the wines they make from grapes grown here in North Texas.
Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard, located near the town of Saint Jo, Texas, was awarded gold medals for their popular dry red blend called “Table One” and for their “Seven Brides” rosé blend. In addition to winning gold, “Seven Brides” dry rosé was acknowledged with the Grand Star best-in-show award.
This year 595 wines from around the world were judged in 30+ categories by a panel of restaurant owners, sommeliers, chefs, media, trade representatives, and other wine experts from Texas and California. The competition is the oldest wine competition in the State of Texas.
Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard is owned and managed by the Fredrick and Whitehead families, longtime ranchers and residents of the Red River Valley. Winemaker and managing partner Patrick Whitehead commented, “It is extremely gratifying to have our wines recognized by such a distinguished panel of judges and wine professionals. We are so proud to be part of the community of hard working folks in the Texas wine and grape industry who are doing so much to bring recognition to our state.”
Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard is located 8 miles north of Saint Jo, Texas on Farm to Market Road 2382. Their tasting room is open to the public year round, Thursday through Sunday.
For more information contact: Julie Fredrick Whitehead, Phone: 940-995-3100, e-mail: Julie@blueostrich.net
ARCHÉ BRINGS HOME THE GOLD
Arché (pronounced Ar-Khay) was selected as a Double Gold and Gold winner at the 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition this month. Bringing home the elusive Double Gold distinction was their 2014 Tempranillo. This Tempranillo was processed using a new world technique, known as cryomaceration, whereas the fruit was frozen for 8 months before the onset of fermentation. This process resulted in a very unique wine. Aromas of fruit, including cherry, plum and strawberry, with a hint of mint and overtones of leather and tobacco. Full-bodied with a heavy, yet round, tannin structure with a well-defined mid-palate and a long aging potential (keep it for a while and it will just get better!)
As a Double Gold winner, the 2014 Tempranillo will participate in the SAN FRANCISCO COMPETITIONS DOUBLE GOLD TOUR. The annual Tour is a unique opportunity to sample an all-star lineup of wines and spirits that have won the exclusive Double Gold medal. The self-pour, walk-around tasting offers a chance to taste the varietals, styles, and flavors of where our industry is heading in 2017.
The 2014 Roussanne, a dry white full-bodied Rhône wine was a Gold winner this year as well. This wine was fermented bâttonage style and aged sur lie, meaning “on the lees,” in Hungarian and French Oak resulting in a rich palate. The aroma is textbook Roussanne producing floral and stone fruit aromas. With a great acid balance, smooth mouth-feel and a lingering finish. Although a white variety, Roussanne allows for a unique characteristic of a long aging potential. Serving this wine slightly chilled is perfect for our Texas summer afternoons.
The San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC) is the largest and most influential international wine competition in America. Setting the standard for professional wine judging, the SFIWC debuted in 1980 and maintains the highest level of integrity through their blind-tasting process. Judges in the event are a “who’s who” of internationally known wine experts in the wine world. A SFIWC medal has been established as a reliable indication of wine excellence, and wines recognized as medal-worthy by the SFIWC are universally understood to be among the very best.
The judging process is rigorous. Each wine is initially judged on its own merits within its own class. Judging panels are provided with background on varietal and vintage, but no other information is provided to eliminate any bias in decisions. The judging process continues over four days of precise blind tastings. Judging panels confer to determine which entries are worthy of Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals. Should all judges on a panel unanimously agree that a wine merits a Gold medal it receives the coveted “Double Gold” distinction. Winning a SFIWC medal is an impressive achievement for any wine having undergone evaluation by the SFIWC’s highly discerning judges. Award levels include:
Double Gold: Outstanding; earning top marks from all judges.
Gold: An excellent wine, meeting very high standards.
Silver: A finely crafted wine, well above average.
Bronze: A well-crafted wine that deserves recognition.
The 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition was held at the Hotel Nikko from June 9th to 12th.
Arché is located off Highway 677 just outside Saint Jo, Texas at 228 Wagner Road. They are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: noon – 8:00 pm, and Sundays from noon until 5:00 pm. Please see their website: archewines.com for additional details.
