Taking in the View

This time of year — "Hallo-giving-mas" as my mom used to call it — when everything starts to blur as we head into the holidays, navigate the home stretch of the fall semester, power through what seems to be the busiest season of work, and prepare for holiday commitments (no matter how fun they may be, they stack up and add weight to the pace of each day), my mind is flooded with ideas and to-do's. Even sitting down to write this post, I had a list of no fewer than twelve ideas for angles and directions. Should I recap my October adventures in the Hill Country? Share the latest wine news and releases I learned about? Revisit and update my "Wine and Hiking - the perfect pairing" story from years ago? There's so much I want to say and share. And so much I want to do. And hopefully I'll get to that.

But on this Sunday morning, I'm reflecting on the power of stillness amidst the chaos. Of opting out of the full schedule of activities to purposefully slow down. I'm choosing to fully embrace presence.

Presence is such a rejuvenating gift during this FOMO-fueled season. And one thing that never fails to help me slow down is opening a really great bottle of wine. Ideally, somewhere with a beautiful Hill Country view and in the company of a loved one.

My family went out to Sandy Road Vineyards around this time last week, and it reminded me of why this whole love affair with Texas wine started. It was one of the first "real" fall days where you could sit outside all day and not break a sweat. The sun was shining bright and the air was crisp. There was this perfect Oak tree on the lawn in full view of the beautiful vineyard there, and I sat beneath it with my daughters and husband. We opened a bottle of Estate Mourvedre and ordered bread and butter. It was a simple thing, but it was everything.

Sandy Road Vineyards Estate Mourvedre paired with their DELICIOUS bread and butter.

We sipped a wine we hadn't tried before and admired its qualities — the different hues of plum, cherry, and magenta that caught our eye as the sun shone through the wine glass, the aroma of fresh berry jam, the texture of the wine as it made its way across our tounge. We noticed the difference between the first moment of the first sip to the second to the last. We fell into the art and movement of it all, and it became easy to appreciate the duality that exists all around us — complexity and simplicity, all entwined. The kids ran around in the grass, following a Monarch butterfly that was on its migration journey. We all devoured the bread and delightfully herbal butter and it seemed like we soaked up every ounce of flavor.

On the drive home, the sun set back in the rolling blue hills, giving out the faded pink-orange glow that's unique to this specific time of year when the skies are clear.

I love going out to local wineries because the experience helps me slow down, focus in, and appreciate the beauty that's all around us. The act of sharing wine and food and noticing all of their qualities brings about a kind of presence that seems hard to grasp at other times. And, when you are at a vineyard that's close to home, it's also easy to appreciate this slice of Texas we call home, the land that brings so much vitality to our lives. It's no wonder this land produces beautiful grapes because it's absolutely gorgeous. Isn't it interesting how incredible wines seem to grow out of incredible places?

Moreover, I love the people who make our wine experiences possible. I'm always meeting friendly neighbors, tasting room associates, and winemakers when we go sit out at a winery. After this many years spending time at different wineries, I now run into friends who share my passion for stellar wine and scenic vistas. And, of course, everyone is in a good mood — maybe because we're all slowing down to enjoy the day? There's a sense of connection in these places that is just unmatched.

The visit to Sandy Road was a reset. It set the tone for a wonderful, intentional week. I hope to keep riding this wave and to fully embrace presence throughout the season.

Notice the kids playing in the grass in the background. What a gorgeous Hill Country day!

Does wine help you slow down and savor? I'd love to hear your stories!