Flat Creek Estate

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Our History & The Vineyards

In The Beginning...

Set amidst the beautiful rolling hills of Central Texas is a most pristine piece of land, perfect for growing grapes and making wine. Flat Creek Estate is nestled on this 80 acres, happily proving for a decade that quality Texas grapes produce quality Texas wines.

The development of Flat Creek Estate began in 1998 when Rick and Madelyn Naber, the ever-present owners, purchased the premier Hill Country property. Named for Flat Creek, which runs from just north of the property and ends in Lake Travis, the Estate is surrounded by picturesque beauty. The Nabers immediately fell in love with the ampitheater like valley with gently sloping land and excellent sandy loam soil - the perfect environment for growing grapes. Rick’s expertise and energy set the pace for all involved. His inertia keeps the Flat Creek world spinning whether understanding the quirks of TABC codes or trouble-shooting daily challenges. Madelyn is truly a “Woman Gone Wine. Her commitment and delight in the evolution of Flat Creek Estate shows in her enthusiasm and initiative in many aspects of the business.

History Photo 2.0

Growth in the Vineyards...

	The Grand Planting on April 1, 2000 marked the beginning of commercial grape growing at Flat Creek Estate. The initial April Fool’s Day planting…60 people, 6000 plants, 6 hours…has become a legend! The vineyard has grown from the initial 6 acres of vines in the northwest corner of the property to nearly 20 acres of vines today. Named for Flat Creek, which runs from just north of the property and ends in Lake Travis, the Estate is surrounded by picturesque beauty. Varietals include Shiraz, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and several Portuguese Port varietals broken up into four vineyard blocks.
	Helen's Block: Varietals in Helen’s Block included Sangiovese, Primitivo, and Tinta Madeira, all selected for the Texas Hill Country climate and soils. A planting of Montepulciano has replaced the original Primitivo with a promising first harvest in 2010. Our Super Texan™, Rosé and Port programs all begin with fruit grown in Helen’s Block. Resulting wines over the first decade of production show excellent character and quality with continuing promise. The Flat Creek Estate Super Texan™ 2003 was awarded a Double Gold in the San Francisco International Wine Competition, marking the first time a Texas red wine was awarded this prestigious accolade.
	Hillltop Block: Hilltop Block is the home of the Flat Creek Syrah. Just one year after planting Helen’s Block, Grand Planting II took place in 2001 with many volunteer planters returning to participate. Syrah is proving to be a perfect fit for our Texas Hill Country vineyard. In 2010 Tempranillo vines were planted in Hilltop Block II increasing our production of a grape that loves the Hill Country just as it does the Rioja region in Spain.
	Pecan Park Block: The view from the Bistro encompasses the beauty of Pecan Park Block where Pinot Grigio and Muscat Canelli are grown. The Pinot Grigio is always the first grape harvested in mid-July when the weather is not quite August-hot. Just ask a member of the Harvest Team! The resulting Pinot Grigio is always an award-winner & typically finished in a classic style. Flat Creek Estate Pinot Grigio...wine simply doesn’t get much better than this! …unless it is the Muscato Blanco produced from our Muscat Canelli which is carefully tended from early spring pruning until long after the July and August harvest.
	Longhorn Block: Our much-planned and last-planted block began commercial production with the 2006 vintage. The Tempranillo offers excellent fruit. The last-planted Port varietals are maturing well. The Pinot Blanc has become a signature Estate wine and Muscat Canelli adds to the excellent Muscato Blanco program.
	Every winery should have at least one amazing dog in residence and we did! Trooper, an imposing Red Doberman, graced Flat Creek Estate from the beginning of time through Spring 2012. He was truly a “trooper” involving himself in all aspects of the business and never missing a day at the winery. He was indeed a dog of many talents! During the early development of the vineyards, it was clearly his job to remind rabbits, skunk and deer that they were not welcome to share the vineyard blocks. As the vineyards matured, he took on the responsibility of tasting grapes as harvest neared. In his later years, he helped Chef develop the best possible Bistro menu. Of course, his favorite activity…and the one many of you recall…was his greeting upon your arrival! With all this talent, Trooper was given “Trooper’s Den” as his namesake building. Expect education & special events to be hosted in the room that houses his best photos. The most recent vineyard planting is “Trooper’s Block”, a small planting dedicated to Montepulciano. The vineyard is thriving & will provide grapes for blending…or perhaps there will even be a Trooper label one day! To date, no puppy has followed in Trooper’s footsteps…but you may expect to see Fancy, a beautiful Blue Dobie visiting at Flat Creek from time to time.

Other Pieces of the Puzzle...

	Completed in 2001, the 5500 case winery was soon producing at full capacity. The winery was expanded to a 10,000 case winery, with 2009 marking the "First Crush" in the new facilities. Production is always managed by a full time winemaker. All wines bottled at Flat Creek Estate continue to reflect our commitment to crafting quality Texas wines.
	Flat Creek’s tasting room, which adjoins the winery since the 2009 opening, is staffed by the Wine Divas. They enjoy providing educational, interactive and fun tasting presentations of the Flat Creek Estate wine portfolio.
	The Event Center, now the Flat Creek Bistro, was constructed in 2005. The Flat Creek Bistro specializes in wood-fired lunches and elegant multi-course dinners as well as weekend brunches! The Event Center also continues to serve as the venue for private dinners, receptions and weddings on many Hill Country evenings.
	Outdoor events, from weddings to sculpture exhibits to July’s VinoPalooza, are held within the stone arches of the Pavilion since 2007. Musicians parise the acoustics of the wood ceilings when performing for weddings or dinners in the Pavilion.
	The original tasting room was re-named Trooper's Den in 2012 in honor of the owners' Red Doberman, and official "vineyard dog". Trooper played a big part in the Flat Creek family, spent endless hours in the vineyard and was later featured in "Wine Dogs USA: Volume 2". Trooper passed away in April of 2012 and his ashes were spread over the 2012 planting of Montepulcian in Trooper's Block.

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The Rest of the Story...

Legendary in their commitment to Flat Creek Estate are the Harvest Team members. Volunteers join the Flat Creek crew to hand pick our warm weather varietals in July and August, providing many hands to help assure a quality wine program. From the first harvest in 2002, summer emails alert willing folks to yet one more early morning harvest. The Harvest Team effort in 2006 was cheered at a Harvest Dinner enjoyed by nearly 100 Team Members during the Harvest Trail Festival. In 2009, Flat Creek joined with other Texas growers in losing most of the grape crop to early bud break plus spring hail plus an April freeze. Then an excellent harvest in 2010 was celebrated with cheers and perspiration!

All the facilities combine with friendly faces when Flat Creek Estate is your Hill Country destination! Thanks to all of you who have participated so far in creating the Flat Creek history!

History Photo 5.0