12 FIRES Winery & Vineyard

Had an amazing time with Duke and Sheri ! You guys made us feel so special.All of the wine was delicious it was so hard to narrow it down to my top 3. Our stay in the glamping tent was also amazing. They provided absolutely everything. Definitely going to come back very soon !

We stayed the night and had an absolute blast!!!! They are EXTREMELY dog friendly so our 4-legged baby was able to come with us! Martin and Alexa in the tasting room we're so warm and welcoming! We will definitely be back!

We spent a couple of nights in one of the glamping tents at 12 Fires (recommend #5 !). The tent had everything we needed, including a nice shower, mini-fridge and efficient A/C. The owner was very responsive and even gave us a tasting after hours (great wine !). The bed was very comfortable and the bedroom was dark enough to sleep late. The nights are very dark, so the stars are quite impressive. We were the only glampers, but #5 is far enough from other tents that we may not have known even if there were others. We had access to the tasting room deck in the evenings which was really nice. Also access to gas grill which made some great burgers to eat with the 12 Fires wine ! Recommend giving this a try. Location is perfect for wine tasting trip.

We stayed at the glamping tents for two nights… it was a great experience. The tent has a full bathroom, fridge, microwave and most importantly a coffee maker. The sleeping area of the tent had portable AC unit. The winery has good wine and pizza to offer. Recommended :)

Martin was such a wonderful tasting room host. All the wines we tried were delicious, especially the Dolcetto. Also, make sure to grab a bag of the pecans. They were so unique and delicious.

Welcome to 12 Fires! Nestled among live oak trees in a country setting, the rustic scene immediately helps you relax before even entering the tasting room. College friends and co-owners Duke Meadows, Mike Nance, and Zach Huyge have embarked on this new venture together along HWY 290's winery road. Each brings unique strengths to the table. The winery’s name and logo are meaningful tributes—they reference the tragic A&M bonfire and symbolize renewal, resonating deeply with A&M alumni. The newly completed grand tasting room is spacious yet cozy. You can see the estate vineyard right out front, too. Their commitment to producing 100% Texas wine remains unwavering. Co-owner, Mike, has been the principal winemaker for the winery. With the help of production facilities from Hilmy Cellars, there is a great selection of wines to choose from. First to sample was the 2021 Trebbiano. Sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyards (Texas High Plains AVA), this white wine was aged in stainless steel and expresses some light refreshing tropical notes. Following that was the 2023 vintage of the same wine. The newer one has a bit more of an oak feel to it and good depth with 13% Marsanne. The next white wine to sample was the 2023 Colibri. This white blend of 46% Sémillon, 41% Albariño, and 15% Orange Muscat is dry, but expresses itself with a slight sweet sensation and has a good balance with lots of tropical fruit notes. Transitioning into the Rosé next was something completely funky, their Tempranillo Rosé. It has a good grip after that first sip coupled with medium acidity and lots of berry flavors. You might try to pair that Rosé with some pork belly to bring out its best. Following that one with another Rosé, was their 2021 Prudence. This Counoise based Rosé has more of a Provence feel with nice acidity and a good “ahh” feeling after each sip. For something extra special, do try the Whoop! (it’s an Aggie thing, FYI). This wine is a sparkling bubbly Rosé crafted from 75% Blanc Du Bois and 25% Black Spanish that has great citrus accents, just the right amount of fizz, and good fruit flavors for your enjoyment. Moving on to the red wines, the 2022 Dolcetto was the first red sampled. This vintage was also sourced from Pepper Jack Vineyards and is a light red wine that is an easy sipper with notes of cherry accented with a bit of pepper. The 2023 Sangiovese is a red wine enthusiast must have. Sourced from White Rock Vineyards (High Plains), it is very reminiscent of a Chianti style red wine. It has moderate acidity with a savory depth yet a very fine finish. Texas and Mourvèdre have pretty much become synonymous over the last decade. Their 2023 Mourvèdre release from Canted County Vineyards is dry with some raisins and plums, plus a nice light finish. Grenache lovers will be satisfied with the 2021 vintage. Throw in a “splash” of Sangiovese and Aglianico and you have a great nose to geek out on along with good minerality and a touch of smoke. Proceeding on to the next wine was the 2022 Aglianico. This Pepper Jack sourced fruit checks the box on excellent dark berries and good tannins no matter how you may pronounce the wine name. Lastly, the Saw’em Off blend was sampled. This bold red wine is a classic blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Grenache, and 10% Cabernet Franc. It presents strong notes of berries and plum rounded out with a touch of spice. The hospitality provided by Duke and the staff is quite amazing. The venue allows guests to enjoy both natural surroundings and a curated selection of wines. There is ample seating inside at the bar or side tables, as well as on their patio or out at their picnic tables amid the trees if you’re looking to really soak in the nature vibes. The establishment offers a relaxed environment suitable for unwinding. In addition to an assortment of wines, there are various food options available, including some amazing pizzas. For those seeking a destination, that’s all about the customer experience, this location checks the box. Cheers!

I went to 12 Fires industry night and man did it make my day. I was greeted by duke and watched him give a detailed, engaging and above all entertaining tasting. The winery combines a friendly, approachable ambiance with a lively spirit, making it an ideal place to gather and unwind. As someone who is antisocial and doesn’t like wine by the end of the event I was sitting, laughing, enjoying music with the owners and enjoying my new favorite wine. At 12 fired I promise not only a amazing experience but by the end you’ll find something you like.

Stopped here before Fredricksburg, we had a glass of the Dolcetto red wine, and it was amazing!! Very light and smooth! Martin was so enjoyable! Definitely coming back!