Flat Creek Estate holds annual Harvest Dinner
GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH/THE HIGHLANDER
The vineyard of Flat Creek Estate stretches quietly behind Ted Hindes of Dallas, left, assisting chuck-wagon cook Larry Sawyer, right, of Llano with a barbecue dinner held Saturday, Aug. 27, in honor of the volunteers who help pick the grape harvest for the winery east of Marble Falls. See more photos of the day at The-Highlander Facebook page.
From their first planting in the year 2000, Rick and Madelyn Naber have been able to depend on friends, neighbors on the north shore of Lake Travis and wine aficionados to dig into the soil and harvesting of grapes at Flat Creek Estates.
On Saturday, Aug. 27, as in years before, those scores of supporters were treated to the annual Harvest Dinner. Many of the scores of volunteers who helped harvest the crops in July and August enjoyed a chuck-wagon barbecue prepared by Larry Sawyer of Llano and the tunes of Guitar Tex and the Traveling Trio.
The Nabers had purchased the land off Singleton Bend Road in 1998. "The Grand Planting," as they have come to call it, in 2000 saw 6,000 vines installed by 60 hard-working volunteers in just six hours. Since 2006 the "Harvest Team" of volunteers have joined the Flat Creek crew to bring in the harvest.
Row upon row of vines now extend in every direction and the varietals, largely the hardy Mediterranean reds, interspresed with white, contribute selection of wines that have steadily grown. What has not changed are the cheerful hands that make light the work.
The vineyard, winery and event center of Flat Creek Estate, 512-267-6310, are located at 24912 Singleton Bend Road East and the offerings of Flat Chreek chefs has been extended to Flat Enoteca, a tasting room with fine food and good Texas music at 112 US 281 in Marble Falls.
