Seth Urbanek

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from #Texas #winemaker Seth Urbanek @WeddingOakWine!

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Very excited to be here! Look forward to talking about #Texas #wine #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: We’d like to introduce you to #Texas #winemaker Seth Urbanek @WeddingOakWine #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Seth Urbanek @WeddingOakWine to say hello & so he knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

KeeperColl @keepercoll: As we ask our Qs, you can ask Seth your Qs as well! He'll do his best to answer all Qs in the order they come #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: W so many participants lots of gr8 Q's R asked! Even if u dont ask 1--give a S/O 2 @keepercoll & @WeddingOakWine 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Let's start talking #Texas #grapes with Seth Urbanek @WeddingOakWine #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: @WeddingOakWine Can you tell us about your background in the #wine industry? #SommChat

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Sure! I started working in wine in the Finger Lakes region of New York #FLX. I then went #Champagne and #McLarenVale for crush, ending with my Master's in Enology at #Cornell. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm What made you move to make #wine in #Texas @WeddingOakWine ? What was the draw? What have been the gr8 surprises good and not so good

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: A #Texaswine is a nascent and dynamically growing region. One look at the number of grapes that grow well here, makes one think of endless possibilities! Plus, I'm a native #Texan ;) #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm How many different #wines do U make @WeddingOakWine and do they all stay for sale in #Texas or do U have Mkts outside of #TX? How much do you bottle?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: We are a 10,000 case capacity #winery, and we will be processing 160tons of #grapes this year. We sell all of the wine here in Texas via direct-to-consumer channels....

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: We have two new tasting rooms opening in #Fredericksburg on #US290 wine trail and another in #Burnet Texas. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @WeddingOakWine Seth, What kind of #winemaking style do you have? Would you share the process you take your #Texas #grapes through?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine:My style is trying to mix Old and New World #winemaking. I apply the old adage that winemaking is both an art and a science, with the caveat that each has its own time and place...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Once harvested, we can use chemistry to see if we need to make adjustments to say, very ripe fruit, but I also use my sense of smell early on to consider the use of native fermentations. There are so many #grapes that grow well here, and each is different! #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: .@WeddingOakWine Seth Can you tell us more about the part you play at Wedding Oak Wine and how large is the team? Do U have input on decisions other than #winemaking? #SommChat

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Our team is very small!! Its just myself and one cellar hand that makes all of this happen. I am blessed to have complete autonomy in the winery, and I am also able to contribute to the business side of our operation #smallwinery #smallbusiness #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how did the #wine bug bite you Seth and how old were you ? Was wine in your family growing up? Why did U decide to do 2 tasting rooms @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: The wine bug found me during my travels in France, but #wine was not in family. My father did farm tomatoes in his early career, and that leads to a deep appreciation of the land....

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: The two tasting rooms allows us to capture the massive tourism wave that has made the #hillcountrywinetrail the second most visited wine trail in the USA outside of Napa!! It also allows us to stay direct-to-consumer #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SomMChat #Somm @WeddingOakWine Seth do you grow all of the grapes that are used to bottled N2 UR wines and what R UR thoughts on the #TX discussion abt allowing grapes from other places to make #TX #wines?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: We use 100% #Texas fruit here, and we do play an active role in with all of our #vineyards and #grapegrowing partners. We do farm a portion ourselves, and actively work with the rest. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: @SandyWasserman great to see you today on #SommChat and thx 4 shining in with Qs

KeeperColl @keepercoll: @enjoielife Good morning and great to see you here on #SomMChat today talking @WeddingOakWine #TX #wines

Julia Elmore Black @enjoielife: Great to be here and learn more about wine from Texas.

KeeperColl @keepercoll: .@WeddingOakWine Seth, How have you seen the #wine world evolve since being in this industry, especially the #Texas wine world? #SommChat

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: When I left #Texas to make wine elsewhere, the local industry wasn't even born yet. Within 10 years, however, it has exploded. The dynamic advaces in both #winemaking and #viticulture, as well as the new influx of experienced professionals has bolstered #Texaswine...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: The support of the major universities in Texas has also been key to our industry's growth #TexasTech, #AgriLife, #TAMU. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm Can someone place an order for your #wines online and if so what is the website? Or do you have to be part of a club to buy the @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine:You can absolutely buy our wines on our website weddingoakwinery.com! #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: .@WeddingOakWine Seth, How have you seen the #wine world evolve since being in this industry, especially the #Texas wine world? #SommChat

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: When I left #Texas to make wine elsewhere, the local industry wasn't even born yet. Within 10 years, however, it has exploded. The dynamic advaces in both #winemaking and #viticulture, as well as the new influx of experienced professionals has bolstered #Texaswine...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: The support of the major universities in Texas has also been key to our industry's growth #TexasTech, #AgriLife, #TAMU. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Thanks @texsomiwa for your thoughtful #SommChat questions today with @WeddingOakWine and #TX #wine

TEXSOM IWA @texsomiwa: #SommChat There’s lots to learn here every week!

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm Are all of the #wines you have listed on your website for sale OR do you have any back vintages that you hold for later release @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: We do keep a #winelibrary here at the winery. We don't typically publish those wines on the website, as we are still learning about the aging potential of #Texaswine ourselves. Give us a call though ;) #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm do you make UR #wines for aging or drinking up release @WeddingOakWine

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: A. We do generally make wines for drinking upon release. We are, however, experimenting with extended barrel age to mimic some of the common practices in Spain. Thus far, it seems that the tannic Texas wines hold up to age very well! #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: .@WeddingOakWine if you wanted some1 to get a good overview of your #wines, what 2-3 bottles would you have them buy 1st and how would U describe those #wines? #SommChat

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I love our 2018 Albarino and our 2018 Barrel-Aged Roussanne. I think those are great starting points. You can't forget some #TexasTempranillo! #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm Why have you decided to only sell direct and not to restos or to retail @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: We do some limited self-distribution to restaurants and very select retail outlets. We have no desire to get into larger distribution, as this makes it very hard for a small winery to survive financially. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm do you have plans to grow your production and if so will it be with same #wines and expand bottling or additional new #wines @WeddingOakWine

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: We do have plans to grow with our two new tasting rooms in #Burnet and #Fredericksburg Texas. As sales drive production, we are looking to use the same mainstays, but create more small-lot premium wines, working with coopers like #Nadalie. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm do you basically sell out of your #wines each release and would you say the majority of your customers are #Texans or do U have customers from other states - any other state concentrations for @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Most of our customers are either #Texan or visitors to the area. With the large amount of tourism we see, its not as hard as it sounds. I am personally trying to develop a cult following in the #FLX up in NY ;) #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm How if at all have you seen the #Climate change in #Texas and if it has how has it affected your #winemaking/vineyard management @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: #Texasweather has always been wild and hectic, with events like late frost, hail, and even tornadoes as a threat to vineyards. We will have to see what the future holds for our vineyards, but we actively manage the vine canopies to increase shading from the heat...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: In the winery, managing the ripeness of the fruit is perhaps our greatest challenge, and I personally like to use the latest in wine technology to help us develop the best wines. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: In classic #SommsUF style, what are some of your fav @WeddingOakWine #wine and #food pairings, Seth? #SommChat

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I am so excited about our 2018 Albarino, and it can't go wrong with some fresh #TexasGulfCoast oysters! #BloodBrothersBBQ or #YoungsBBQ also can make a great pairing with our 100% Texas Tempranillo! #SommChat

Seth Urbanek @Seth_wineguy: @BloodBrosBBQ

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommCHat #Somm would you please do the same exercise about blind tasting and drinking window for UR #Albarino @WeddingOakWine why do u think that grape does well in #texas heat?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Texas is so variable (incredibly tough for blind tasters), and our Albarino is maybe just the opposite of everything I just said. It did come in VERY ripe, and the wine is BIG and INTENSE as a result. I'll admit that this makes blind tasting very tough indeed. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm would you please speak to your #oak and stem usage on your wines @WeddingOakWine and how they are determined?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: A. We end up doing a LOT of stem inclusion, and I am experimenting with partial whole-cluster ferments on reds. As for #oak, we need to be careful to preserve the nuances of #Texaswine, so I don't use more than 20% new oak on a given lot. Right, #Nadalie? #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm are there more good #grape Growing areas not yet cultivated but available and how much do you see #tx #wine industry growing in next 5-10 years @WeddingOakWine

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I do think that there are some areas that are yet to be discovered in North and Central Texas, as the state is huge and has very diverse climates and topographies...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I do hope that the industry continues to grow, but I think that there will be more people demanding better and better quality of every winery, as our industry continues to push forward in making #RealTexasWine. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm we have to do Blind tastings in our studies - how would describe your #dolcetto and how is it similar or different than an Italian dolcetto in tasting? & what would U say is its drinking window @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Our dolcetto has the same cherry backbone that you'd find in Italian dolcetto, but it is definitely a little more full bodied and a little more ripe...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I think that its important to understand that, despite the heat, #Texaswine doesn't get overripe, like wines you might see in Lodi. The heat gets so intense that vine metabolism actually shuts down, and we pick at much lower ripeness than California overall...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I personally think that this forces winemakers to create wines more reminiscent of the Old World. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm any #wine regions you have not visited that you would have high on UR list to learn from and do you get opportunity to do this Seth or too busy @WeddingOakWine

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I would love to visit Spain to taste @WinesofSpainSL. I hear their cuisine is something else too ;) #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm are there more good #grape Growing areas not yet cultivated but available and how much do you see #tx #wine industry growing in next 5-10 years @WeddingOakWine

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I do think that there are some areas that are yet to be discovered in North and Central Texas, as the state is huge and has very diverse climates and topographies...

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: I do hope that the industry continues to grow, but I think that there will be more people demanding better and better quality of every winery, as our industry continues to push forward in making #RealTexasWine. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how would describe your #rose and what is the price point @WeddingOakWine ?

WeddingOakWInery @WeddingOakWine: Our rose, which we made from Sangiovese this year, is loaded with bright cherry and a hint of grapefruit. It was picked at ideal ripeness for rose, so it is bright and crisp. It prices in the mid-$20 range. #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll:Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk with Seth Urbanek @WeddingOakWine #WineWednesday #Texas #wines #SommChat

KeeperColl @keepercoll: It was great to have #winemaker Seth @WeddingOakWine join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

KeeperColl @keepercoll: Please join us in thanking Seth Urbanek @WeddingOakWine for his time #SommChat

SAHMmelier @SAHMmelier: So grateful to have him here! Beautiful wines coming out of @WeddingOakWine

Robb McCauley @RobbinAustin: Thanks Seth! Excited to go find your wines.

WeddingOakWinery @WeddingOakWine: Thank you so much! I really enjoyed being here talking about #Texas #wine! #SommChat

Matt McGinnis @MattMcGinnis: Thank you Seth. Fantastic #SommChat