Usually when Kansas University and the University of Kentucky meet it is on the basketball court but today it was at Bending Branch Winery with our guest is Dr. Bob Young, Co-Founder.
Sitting outside of Comfort, TX is Bending Branch Winery. The winery won the 2020 Grand Champion, Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Hear their story not only about this competition but what it takes to be a sustainable winery. They were judged on vineyard management, winemaking, employee practices, customer service and social responsibility.
As we all know grapes are important to any vineyard, Bob tells us all about organic grapes and discusses the chicken coup they have. Why chickens? They eat the insects, thus helping eliminate pesticides.
Being from Kentucky, Bob could not help but start making his own bourbon. Learn about that journey, angle share and much more on today’s episode 199, of The Green Insider podcast.
More about our guest –
Robert W. Young, M.D., M.P.H. charted a distinguished career encompassing family practice in underserved rural communities, and public health administration as chief executive of two state health departments. Dr. Young also spent 16 years managing physician group practices in Atlanta and pioneering a new specialty in inpatient medicine called Hospitalist.
Dr. Young holds a Winemaking Certificate from the University of California, Davis. In 2009, with his wife Brenda and their daughter Alison, Bob established Bending Branch Winery in Comfort, Texas.
Young integrates Old World winemaking techniques with cutting-edge technology including Cryo-Maceration and Flash Détente, a philosophy he refers to as Next World winemaking. His research and development have made him an extraction expert. Early applications of Cryo-Maceration at Bending Branch Winery produced its 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon (the first Texas Cabernet Sauvignon to win Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition), and the 2011 Estate Tannat (Double Gold and Top Texas Wine, Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition). The same competition recognized Bending Branch as Top Texas Winery in 2018.
Bob’s interests and experience are diverse. The Young family’s commitment to environmental sustainability was honored as 2020 Grand Champion, Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition (Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo/BRIT).
More about Bending Branch Winery –
Bending Branch Winery sits on 56 scenic acres near the Guadalupe River outside of Comfort. Established in 2009 by the Young family, Bending Branch is best known for its experimentation in every facet of winemaking, including fermentation methods and production processes. Co-owner and Winemaker Robert W. Young, M.D., MPH, coined the term “Next World Wines” to describe his winemaking philosophy.
Bending Branch Winery is the Tannat House of Texas. Wines include award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Picpoul Blanc, Tempranillo, and Souzão, but Bending Branch Winery is best known for Tannat, its signature red wine.
Notable awards:
• Voted BEST WINERY – 2023 San Antonio Express-News Readers’ Choice Awards for the eigthth consecutive year
• Awarded BEST OF HERD TEXAS WINERY – 2021 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
• Awarded GRAND CHAMPION – 2020 FWSSR/BRIT Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition
• Awarded TOP TEXAS WINERY saddle – 2018 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition
• Awarded TOP TEXAS WINE saddle – 2014 Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition for the 2011 Estate Tannat CM, Bending Branch Estate Vineyard
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