Dolcetto – A lesser-known grape variety from the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Low acidity and mild tannins make this an easy-drinking wine that pairs nicely with pizza and hearty pasta sauces.  2021 Dolcetto – (100% Dolcetto) Pepper Jack Vineyard, Brownfield, Texas Texas High Plains A.V.A  – Third time’s the charm – our best Dolcetto yet. – 185 cases produced.

GPSM – (33.3% Grenache, 33.3% Petit Sirah, 33.3% Mourvèdre) – Texas High Plains A.V.A. – A popular blend of red grapes from the Rhône region of southern France is called GSM. While there are 19 grape varieties permitted to be in the blend, the major players are Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre. We did not have any Syrah, but we had Petit Sirah (sounds the same, but completely different grape) so we did what we could. An old-world blend with a lot of fruit-forward Texas character. French oak subtly extends the finish. 154 cases produced. (Lots of tartrate crystals <WINE DIAMONDS> formed in the bottle in this one – pour carefully.)

Montepulciano – The second most commonly grape grown in Italy. Sometimes referred to as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo to avoid confusion with Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, a regional name for a Sangiovese-based wine in Tuscany.  Our 2021 Montepulciano (100% Montepulciano) from Pepper Jack Vineyard, Brownfield, Texas; Texas High Plains A.V.A is a bold but not too bold, BIG fruit and moderate tannins. 206 cases produced.

2021 Prudence – (100% Counoise) – Texas High Plains A.V.A. - Our second Provence-inspired rosé. Counoise (coon-whaz) is primarily a blending grape in the famous Chateauneuf du Pape AOC, but elsewhere in Provence, it's bright acidity, light color, and low tannins make delightful rosé. 196 cases produced.

Trebbiano – one of the most commonly grown white grapes in Italy, is grown throughout the country, most notably in Tuscany. The climate of the Texas High Plains is similar to that of Tuscany - but with cowboys. Giddy up!  Our 2021 Trebbiano (100% Trebbiano) from Pepper Jack Vineyard, Brownfield, Texas is a light and clean like fresh grass with zing of lemon zest and a crisp, dry finish. Fermented in stainless steel. 188 cases produced.

2022 AGlianico – Pepper Jack Vineyard – 100% Aglianico:  Back in 2019, we made our first vintage of Aglianico. It was the first wine that 12 FIRES produced –bought the grapes, processed them, pitched the yeast, punched it down every day, twice a day, pressed, racked, and barreled it – really MADE the wine. It was coming along beautifully! If you’ve been with us for a while, then you probably know the unintended, but serendipitous, fate of that wine. (It became a major component of our Calaboose dessert wine, by accident.) In 2022, we finally got another stab at it! Our friends at Pepper Jack Vineyard were able to allocate two tons of Aglianico for us and we jumped on it. Rich and unexpectedly complex for a single-variety wine; I get dark berries, cigar box, and cocoa, but that’s just me. What do you taste? By the way, we know the g is silent, but we pronounce it AG-lee-yaw-nico, because we just have to.  120 Caes Produced.

2022 Tempranillo – Lahey Vineyard – 100% Tempranillo:  Tempranillo is THE red wine grape of Spain, and it’s got a pretty firm foothold in Texas too! It just really suits the Texas profile – bold, but not overly aggressive; rustic, but fruit-forward and a little jammy; a “noble” grape, but not uppity about it. This is our first Tempranillo offering since the 2019 vintage and the best yet, in our humble opinion. Screams for brisket and deer sausage form the grill!  120 Cases Produced.

Trebbiano – one of the most commonly grown white grapes in Italy, is grown throughout the country, most notably in Tuscany. The climate of the Texas High Plains is similar to that of Tuscany - but with cowboys. Giddy up!  2022 Trebbiano (87% Trebbiano, 13% Marsanne) Texas High Plains A.V.A. (Treb is from Pepper Jack Vineyard) was treated like a Chardonnay – meaning it was fermented in French oak barrels, malo-lactic fermentation, and aged on lees for 6-months. Softer and smoother than the 2021 with just hint of oak. Only 68 cases produced.

Trebbiano – one of the most commonly grown white grapes in Italy, is grown throughout the country, most notably in Tuscany. The climate of the Texas High Plains is similar to that of Tuscany - but with cowboys. Giddy up!  2022 Trebbiano (87% Trebbiano, 13% Marsanne) Texas High Plains A.V.A. (Treb is from Pepper Jack Vineyard) was treated like a Chardonnay – meaning it was fermented in French oak barrels, malo-lactic fermentation, and aged on lees for 6-months. Softer and smoother than the 2021 with just hint of oak. Only 68 cases produced.

Calaboose – (50% 2015 Black Spanish Port, 50% 2019 Aglianico) – Texas - The name is synonymous with “drunk tank” - at 19.5% alcohol you might see why. A blend of 2015 Black Spanish Port and 2019 Aglianico, this is a remarkably drinkable dessert wine, so be careful to enjoy with caution and don’t land yourself in the Calaboose. Black Spanish was grown in Washington County, Aglianico was grown at Pepper Jack Vineyard. Fortified with a locally produced high-test brandy. 4 barrels produced by (a HAPPY) accident.

2021 Grenache - (90% Grenache, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Aglianico) Lahey Vineyard, Brownfield, Texas, Texas High Plains A.V.A. - Grenache originated in northwestern Spain but is probably best known as a staple grape in the Rhone region of Southern France, and more recently in California as part of the Rhone Rangers movement. It tends to make a lighter wine, but not this one!  Light in color, yes, but full bodied and well balanced enough to have a 16% ABV and not taste or feel like a high-alcohol wine. This one surprised me! 150 cases produced. (Lots of tartrate crystals <WINE DIAMOND> formed in the bottle in this one – pour carefully.)

2021 Maroon III - (43% Dolcetto, 43% Aglianico, 14% Montepulciano) - Pepper Jack Vineyard, Brownfield, Texas; Texas High Plains A.V.A – We're Aggies, so we weren't satisfied with just a red blend, we had to make a Maroon blend. Three of our favorite Italian grapes come together from an Aggie-owned vineyard. It all makes sense. Medium to full-bodied, easy drinking, but bold enough to pair with a rich meal. A real steak and potatoes wine. 158 cases produced.

2021 Sangiovese – (100% Sangiovese) – Lahey Vineyards, Brownfield, Texas, Texas High Plains A.V.A. – Sangiovese is the most widely grown grape in Italy and many popular Italian wines, while not called “Sangiovese” are entirely or mostly composed of Sangiovese wines – Chianti, Brunello, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (obviously a different wine than Montepulciano made with the grape of that name).  Typically known for being a light wine with a herbal flavors and is often served at a lower temperature than most reds. 125 cases produced. (Lots of tartrate crystals <WINE DIAMONDS> formed in the bottle in this one – pour carefully.)

Saw 'Em Off Red Wine Blend:  40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Grenache, 10% Cabernet Franc

WHOOP! Sparkling Rosé’– (75% Blanc Du Bois, 25% Black Spanish) - Texas – A unique wine for celebrations! A dark roséwith a lot of distinctively piquant Black Spanish flavor and fresh bright citrus and stone fruit flavors from the Blanc Du Bois with light effervescence. Our first sparkling wine. 136 cases produced.