Prior to starting their journey into the world of grape growing and wine making, Gary and his wife Kathy owned and operated a community pharmacy for over 20 years. In 1995 they bought land for the vineyard and winery and relocated to Johnson City, Texas. Gary’s passion for winemaking began on a trip to NE France where he fell in love with Tokay Pinot Gris. His background in pharmacy involved studies in organic and biochemistry which made for a natural progression into the art and chemistry of wine making. One of the first wineries in the Texas Hill Country in 1995, Gary broke the mold by planting varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Syrah and Tempranillo in the vineyard; receiving official recognition for his Pinot Grigio in 1997. Gary’s philosophy for making wine is: “Make wine that tastes good, not just follow what others are doing, follow your own sense of quality and good taste”. This philosophy is reflected in their motto: “Wine to Share With Friends”. They look forward to sharing their award winning Texas Hill Country wines and making new friends on this cruise.