I thought this festival was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see what else they make of it next year! You walk up to the check-in table and if your name is on the list you get to go in with your wine glass and barbecue plate in hand. It all felt very fancy considering whole animals were being roasted on pits just fet away. Also, for what it’s worth, I thought the disposable plates with a slot to hold your wine glass were ingenious. I am definitely on the look out for them for my next backyard barbecue! So, head in and find several amazing local bbq joints ‘cue-ing up some incredible meat, potatoes, cole slaw and other goodies. The food just never seemed to quit. And the people cooking were all to willing to chat you up and tell about their goods. And the alcohol didn’t quit either! Several local wineries and some delicious local craft beer rounded out a delightful afternoon for me!
Darla A.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Austin, TX
This is a great way to spend a Sunday. Where else can you enjoy a perfect 70 degree day in the Austin area hill country, walking around with a plate and a glass, sampling the delicious goat tacos from Judges Hill, Antelope sliders and Wild Boar Chili from Wild Bubba’s Wild Game Grill, and made to order smores with champagne marshmallows and chocolate chipotle pecan bark from Delysia, all while sipping on the a fabulous Sauvignon Blanc from Casa La Postolle or a fabulous Tempranillo from Fall Creek? The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Cowboys + Gauchos event. The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas really did this up right, complete with cowboy boots and old style country music and a Latin tango beat to boot. The music from Tango Nostalgia made me wish I was in an Argentina Tango house with a rose in my mouth channelling my inner tango goddess, but I may need lessons first. I enjoyed Café Jose’s Pork slices topped with a mango sauce and cilantro rice and beans. Zocalo was serving up an excellent melt in your mouth pork ribs and Agua Fresca. Live Oak BBQ had a tasty skirt steak and sausage. August Escoffier had a fantastic set of sides including apple jicama slaw, corn bread, potato cakes and beans. And if that were not enough, there was fabulous pork and yucca from La Sombra. Just when you thought it was safe to be free of the meat fest, there was a rack roasting an elk, another with a goat, a roast pig and lots of ribs and sausage on the fire. Alamosa, Becker, Fall Creek, McPhereson, Llano, Duchman and Spicewood were representing the Texas wine contingent. Gauchezco, Casa LaPostolle, Terrazas brought in the Latin America wines. E&J Gallo was also represented. The best part of this event, there were no long lines. The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas only planned to sell 350 tickets, so it was a comfortable day for all, and Mother Nature blessed us with perfect weather in a perfect setting. Unilocal was there with yard games, bags, chap stick and other great swag to round out the fun. This is a gem of an annual event to add to your must do activities. It comes complete with an affordable festival price tag of just $ 50($ 40 for Wine and Food Foundation members).
