Texas Custom Wine Works is happy to announce our new Executive Winemaker, Michael Hellman!
Our previous winemaker Anthony Mosley decided to pursue new opportunities in North Texas to be closer to his family and we wish him and his family all the prosperity and love in the world! With Anthony’s departure at the beginning of the year, the search has been difficult due to the large shoes Anthony left to fill and with the addition of the pandemic bringing everything to a halt.
Now that tasting rooms are re-opening and business is ramping back up, and just in time for the 2020 harvest, we are incredibly happy announce that Michael Hellman will be joining the Texas Custom Wine Works team as our Executive Winemaker.
A few words from Michael:
Hello, my name is Michael Hellman. I am the new Winemaker for Texas Custom Wine Works and I am excited to be joining an amazing team dedicated to making quality products for our customers. My initiation into the Texas wine industry was right here at TCWW in 2015 when I started out as a cellar rat learning the standard practices and protocols of the winemaking craft from my first mentor Anthony Mosley. I enjoyed the experience and knowledge gained at TCWW so much that I enrolled at Texas Tech University in 2016 to specialize in Viticulture and Enology.
During my studies, I completed a vineyard internship with Fritz Westover and worked the entire 2017 crush with Chris Hull at Delaney Vineyards as a winemaking intern. I graduated from Texas Tech the following year and shortly thereafter started as Winemaker at Rancho Loma Vineyards in Coleman, Texas. Over the past two vintages with RLV I worked closely with Ed Brandecker, Director of Winemaking and Guenhael Kessler, renowned consulting winemaker from the Rhone Valley to make numerous award-winning wines.
In 2019, I set up the new winery facility for Reddy Vineyards in Brownfield, where I produced both RLV and Reddy wines last year. Over the past few years, I have been busy working multiple roles and developing my skills in all aspects of operating a production winery.
Joining TCWW, I look forward to expanding my relationships with fellow Texas winemakers, grape growers, wine retailers/marketer, and anyone who enjoys a good glass of wine! My goal is to provide outstanding customer service to help you achieve your winemaking objectives. Please let me know what TCWW can do for you!
We are excited to have Michael back on the team at Texas Custom Wine Works! We have been through many changes over the years and a core group of people has made this operation a success. This pared-down group of core people continue to provide the Texas wine industry with the best custom wine production possible. Cellar Master/Assistant Winemaker Margaret and the rest of the cellar crew has done an outstanding job of maintaining the production and quality you expect from TCWW during this transition time. We are now healthier and stronger than ever and looking forward to providing you with years of unparalleled opportunity and product quality. Michael and I (Cary Franklin) will be out meeting many of you in the coming days. Contact us if you would like us to plan a visit.