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Retreat and Relax
According to an ancient Persian fable, wine was the fortuitous un-
earthing of a princess determined to end her life with poison.
Instead of poison, however, she experienced the elixir's potent
effects as it freed her mind from the worries of royal court. Over
the centuries, grape growing and wine-harvesting has become
a powerful potion for people's imagination, stirring passion
and creativity.
Located in the serene setting of Grimes County in Nava-
sota, Texas, Retreat Hill Winery and Vineyard is an award
winning winery. It provides a charming, country scene to
allow guests to free their minds of their worries and simply
embrace the peacefulness of the country. Their senses are
awakened and aroused by the powerful f lavors and aro-
mas of Texas wine, guaranteed to conquer even the picki-
est palate. According to their website, the wine inventory
currently consists of "a variety of dry reds, sweet, and dry
white wines, along with a few dessert wines."
The Vision of the Vineyard
The Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard's website explains
that "with any winery, the heart and soul is the vine-
yard." Once the perfect two-acre plot was chosen and pre-
pared, planting began on March 7, 2009 with approxi-
mately 30 people volunteering to "prune and plant the
young vines." The volunteers spent eight long hours work-
ing hard to complete the planting; when they were finally
finished, they were served wine and barbeque and left with
an incredible story to tell their family and friends. In 2011,
this vineyard harvested grapes that made award winning
wines. Some awards granted were from "Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo, International Wine Competition, New
York Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, and Lone
Star International Wine Competition."
Experience the Journey
The Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard offers wine tastings available
every weekend in an assortment of f lavors including "f loral, spicy,
fruity, vegetative, caramelized, woody, and earthy." In addition, they
also offer the Star Club, providing benefits to its members, including
wine and merchandise discounts. Finally, the Retreat Hill Winery &
Vineyard participates in the Bluebonnet Wine Trail every year. According
to its website, visitors are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience,
tasting incredible wines along the picturesque views of Southeast Texas, partak-
ing in "wine tastings, grape crushing and stomping, mystery dinners, music con-
certs, wine paired dinners, and vineyard tours."
By Nicole Walsh
For information on the "Retreat Hill Winery & Vineyard," visit their website at http://www.retreathill.com/. For more
information on the "Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail," visit their website at http://www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com/.
"Wine is passion. It's family and friends; it's warmth of heart and gen-
erosity of spirit. It's art, culture, the essence of civilization, and the art
of living."- Robert Mondavi