Authentic Texan
By J. Carol Richards
The naming of a child is profoundly personal, often representing the expectations of what that child will become in the world. Their name becomes their identity and sometimes the character that it represents. Proverbs 22:1 states, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” For Seth and Laura Martin, owners of Perissos Vineyard and Winery, the vineyard’s name, taken from the Greek word in Ephesians, means an experience beyond what is expected, imagined, or even hoped for, just as God promises His people immeasurably more than they could ask, and describes their mission. For Seth and Laura Martin, “It is our sincere desire and aspiration to craft wines that live up to that description. However, with awe and gratitude, we can say that our lives have been exceedingly and abundantly blessed by God.” True to their word, they have crafted wines that are changing the perception of the Texas wine industry.
Initially, the Martins tested soils and vines to determine what kind of grapes would produce the best wines. After several years of experimentation, they discovered that Hoover’s Valley in the Texas Hill Country was ideal because of the decomposed granite soil. Because the Martins were running a full-time homebuilding business and raising children while delving into the world of winemaking, the road was not always smooth. When Laura’s brother saw a “For Sale by Owner” sign on what is now Perissos Vineyard and Winery, the money was not there for the purchase.
The Martins credit God’s perfect timing for allowing them to work with the owner to buy the property and grow Perissos Winery and Vineyard into what Director of Operations Dalton Humphreys calls “a conduit to connect people.” The wines have won numerous awards yearly in the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. Perissos is a full-production vineyard planted in eighteen acres of vines, and its uniqueness is illustrated by the selection of the Aglianico wine grape, native to southern Italy, as one of their premier crops. Aglianico is an ancient grape known for its full-bodied flavor that can be consumed young but ages well, enhancing its complexity and structure. The unique composition of the soil in Hoover’s Valley, which is almost void of organic matter, allows more control over the planting and production of various grapes like Tempranillo, Viognier, Malbec, and Syrah. Perissos Vineyard and Winery is one of the top destinations in the Texas Hill Country for wine enthusiasts from around the nation, and it is becoming an ambassador for quality Texas wines. Dalton shared, “The vision is to impact not just Texas wines but wines of the world by helping to write the history of the Texas wine industry.” This commitment to excellence is what the name implies: to exceed what can be imagined and take everything to the highest level possible.
Perissos’s eighteen acres of vines wind through a stunning grouping of old oaks that serve as the perfect setting for wine tasting on tables scattered through the vineyard rows. The tasting room focuses on a casual, relaxing experience with magnificent views of the vineyard and the mature oaks. Perissos’s traditional tastings include six current-release wines guided by a knowledgeable host and require no reservations.
The Winemaker’s Tour is a one-to-two-hour excursion through the property led by a wine sommelier or the winemaker. The tour’s focus is on the entire winemaking process, from the plantings to the final production. It is an educational tour with a wine tasting that consists of carefully chosen estate wines depending on the season. Contact greta@perissosvineyards.com for reservations and availability for the Winemaker’s Tour.
Part of the Perissos story is their strong partnership within the community and the desire to give back a portion of what God has blessed them with through Gratis Wines. The same high-quality wines sold at the vineyard are bottled in red, rose’ and white wine for fundraising purposes, with 90% of the gross sales going to charity. The philosophy is to be generous with the first fruits and to share the blessing with those in need, like the Highland Lakes Crisis Network.
Perissos Vineyard and Winery supports a wine club that hosts club dinners, complimentary wine tastings, and pick-up parties with food provided. Look for live music and food vendors on weekends, or call for additional information on tours and tastings.
Perissos Vineyard and Winery wines are often described as “elegant and beautiful,” and the casual, family-friendly environment at Perissos is welcoming to everyone. As the appeal for Texas wines grows nationwide, Perissos is committed to producing the highest quality wines possible and, as the name denotes, to exceed your expectations by providing an experience that is immeasurably more than you could have imagined.
Perissos Vineyard and Winery
7214 Park Road 4 West
Burnet, Texas
512-820-2950
Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5
Friday & Saturday 12-6
