Viognier
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2024
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted chicken, spicy Thai curry, grilled seafood
✨ Technical Specifications
McPherson Cellars, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a cornerstone of the modern Texan wine industry. Founded by winemaker Kim McPherson to honor his father, Dr. Clinton 'Doc' McPherson—a legendary pioneer who planted some of the state's first experimental wine grapes in the 1970s—the winery has championed warm-climate varieties that thrive in the unique terroir of the Texas High Plains AVA. Viognier has emerged as the signature white grape of Texas, finding a natural home in the region's high-altitude, sun-drenched vineyards and distinctive red sandy soils. McPherson's Viognier is celebrated for its vibrant, highly aromatic profile, typically fermented in stainless steel to preserve its bright fruit character and delicate floral lift without the heavy influence of oak. This wine beautifully captures the essence of the Texas High Plains, offering a rich yet refreshing expression of this classic Rhône variety.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by winemaker Kim McPherson and opened within a converted 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant in Lubbock's Depot District in 2008, McPherson Cellars honors the pioneering legacy of Dr. Clinton 'Doc' McPherson, a founding father of modern Texas viticulture. Sourcing fruit almost entirely from the wind-swept Texas High Plains AVA, the estate champions warm-climate cultivars uniquely adapted to the region's semi-arid, continental climate, sandy clay loam soils, and high elevations above 3,000 feet. Diurnal shifts preserve vibrant natural acidity, counteracting intense summer heat. Embracing a philosophy of planting to the land rather than mimicking Burgundian or Bordeaux archetypes, McPherson focuses predominantly on Rhône, Iberian, and Mediterranean varieties. Vinified primarily in stainless steel with judicious oak contact, benchmark white and rosé bottlings like The Queen Viognier, Reserve Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc, and Les Copains White deliver crisp minerality, balanced ripeness, and distinctive regional authenticity.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Viognier