Fredericksburg, Texas (March 1, 2021) – World-renowned and critically acclaimed Consulting Winemaker Jean Hoefliger is proud to be joining the Texas Wine Collective, beginning with the 2021 growing season. Jean will immediately begin work with the existing winemaking teams at Brennan Vineyards and Lost Oak Winery to enhance estate farming practices and wine quality.
In 2005, Jean started Oakville-based Alpha Omega Winery in Napa as the Winemaker and General Manager. After 12 successful years, he shifted his career to become a full-time Consulting Winemaker. Since that transition, Jean has worked with a multitude of iconic producers all around the world, including: Monteverro in Tuscany, Pact(e) in Burgundy, Perinet in Priorat, Tolosa Winery in Edna Valley, V. Vineyards in Sonoma County, as well as MR Michel Rolland, Newton Vineyard, and Hill Family Estate in Napa Valley. His diverse scope of clients and wines produced has afforded Jean the opportunity to glean varietal and terroir-specific insights that span an exceptionally wide range of grape varieties, regions, climates, farming practices, and cellar teams. “Jean has an incredibly seasoned perspective, and we cannot wait to see how he will apply his knowledge to our burgeoning region,” says Dave Bryant, General Manager of Texas Wine Collective. “He is a great fit for our team and vineyards on account of his domestic and international experiences. There isn’t much he hasn’t seen in terms of varieties and climates, and we know that he will be able craft sublime expressions of our Texas terroir that redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in our great state, ” Dave adds.
For Jean, Texas offers a distinctly new horizon to explore. “I am excited because in an era of globalization, being able to create a wine that has a sense of place is the most important thing to me,” Jean explains. “And in Texas, I have an incredible opportunity to work with these wineries discover the true DNA of Texas wine.”
Jean will begin his work in the vineyards this spring with the Brennan Vineyards and Lost Oak Winery teams as they prepare for bud break. From there, he will assist with farming strategies for the remainder of the growing season and will be on site for harvest and vinification in the fall. “Our winemaking teams and facilities will remain just as they are, and Jean will simply be guiding us through the growing season” explains Dave. “Everyone on the team is excited to begin working with him and we are all very enthusiastic about the quality of wine we will be able to produce by using his internationally tested techniques.”
Some of Jean’s many critical accolades include two 100-point scores awarded by Jeb Dunnuck and Robert Parker for his Napa-based The Debate Cabernet Sauvignons; he has also collected many 95+ point scores from Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast.
About Texas Wine Collective
Formerly known as 4.0 Cellars, the Texas Wine Collective is the unified tasting room, retailer, wine club, and brand of Texas Hill Country wine pioneers Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars. Their best-in-class tasting room is located in Fredericksburg, Texas, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Guests are treated to a relaxing and elegant setting paired with some of the most highly acclaimed wines from the Lone Star State. It’s all in the service of their mission to provide wine enthusiasts and beginners alike with the ultimate “Texas Wine Experience.” The tasting room is a proud member of the Wine Road 290, which is now the second-most-traveled wine road in the U.S. In addition to red, white, sweet, and sparkling wines, guests can enjoy a wide variety of Texas foods, including some of the best cheeses, olive oils, and chocolates Texas has to offer.
About Brennan Vineyards
Brennan Vineyards was founded in 2001 by Dr. Pat and Trellise Brennan. Their love of wine has lead them to where they are today—one of the most respected wineries in Texas . Brennan Vineyards is located at one of the oldest remaining homesteads in Texas with their tasting room in the Historic McCrary House. Brennan Vineyards is committed to “authenticity from ground to glass” and consumer transparency with all of their products. Not only do they get their hands dirty in the alluvial sandy soils of Comanche and the sandy soils over rock in Newburg, but they also are pleased to work with fabulous grape growers from all across the state of Texas. Each of their wines has its own unique history and story. All Brennan Vineyards “Texas” appellated wines are 100% Texas fruit and Texas produced. Brennan Vineyards was the first Texas winery to receive two double gold medals for Texas appellation wines in 2015 at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. In 2017, Brennan Vineyards also received the first-ever TEXSOM International Judge’s Selection for “Top Texas Red” and “Top Texas White.”
About Lost Oak Winery
Lost Oak Winery has deep roots in Texas wine. We have committed decades to growing the industry and producing the highest quality, hand-crafted Texas wine and experiences, keeping it simple and approachable.
Lost Oak’s origin began in the 1950s when founder Gene Estes made wine in a bathtub in his native Abilene, Texas. You see, Abilene was a dry county that had no liquor stores so he had to seek creative diversion. It became a passion. After living and working in Alsace, France, crafting the art of winemaking, he founded Lost Oak Winery. Fortunately, his immersion in the wine industry connected the winery with Jim Evans, a remarkable Texas native winemaker, one of the best in the art, who now boasts over 40 vintages making Texas wine.
In 2007, Gene and his stepdaughter Roxanne, joined forces to grow the family business. Now, the next generation is at the helm. Roxanne’s drive and passion has taken her from behind the bar at the tasting room to the President of the company. Leading the team to be one of the most established, solid and influential wineries in Texas. Woman-owned and woman-operated, Lost Oak continues the mission, to create high-quality, hand-crafted Texas wine and experiences with fun and simplicity.
About JH Wine Consulting
Jean Hoefliger is a man with a quixotic mission: He is inspired and driven by the quest for creative perfection while knowing full well that it can never be achieved. An artisan who has always been motivated to push the envelope, he relies on a commitment to constant scientific research matched by an open-minded, entrepreneurial creativity. With his background in international finance and decades of wine industry experience—from Bordeaux and South Africa to Spain, Italy and California—Jean brings to his clients a rare combination of expertise in winemaking, viticulture and real-world business acumen.