The Wine Fairy

Welcome to our seasonal wine news roundup, where we trot out all of our best water-cooler wine chat from the last few months.

New wineries, million-dollar deals, and silly numbers, oh my! Here are five of the juiciest wine-related stories from the second quarter of 2025.

Story #1: Grape stomp season…kicks off!

In Texas, the grape harvest calendar starts in July. And along with harvest season comes–you guessed it–grape stomp season. For parents of kiddos, it’s an irresistible photo op. For wine drinkers, it’s a chance to reconnect with the messy, stemmy origins of our favorite beverage.

Should you have the urge to wiggle your toes in a squishy vat of grapes, Texas Wine Lover’s Jeff Cope has got you covered. He’s assembled a giant list of all the Texas wineries with upcoming grape stomp events this summer and fall.

Story #2: Un Sueño Vineyard opens in East Texas.

The growing constellation of East Texas wineries just got a new star: Un Sueño Vineyard, which opened in May 2025. It joins several other family wineries way out East, including Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, Rowdy Creek Ranch, and Zepeda Vineyards and Winery.

Located just south of Mount Pleasant on 271, these wineries are close to Lake Bob Sandlin State Park and Daingerfield State Park. (Perfect for a scenic wine-tasting weekend!)

Un Sueño’s tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday. The patio regularly hosts live musicians and offers tempting seasonal specials like $20 sangria carafes. Reservations are recommended for parties of 8 or more.

Story #3: Buzzballz tycoon buys Plano mansion in record-breaking real estate deal.

Here’s a piece of real estate news that will make you go, “That’s so Texas!” The former Woot mansion is now the Buzzballz mansion.

The founder of the Carrollton-based pre-mixed cocktail brand Buzzballz, Marilee Kick and her husband snapped up the 12,335-square foot house in Plano. (Yes, this is technically wine news…because the base alcohol for most Buzzballz flavors is orange wine.)

The epic estate was formerly owned by Matthew Rutledge, who founded the deal-a-day concept Woot.com. The home was listed for just 2 days. The estimated price was $15.9 million, making it the most expensive home sale in Collin County’s history.

The baller mansion is located 30 minutes north of downtown Dallas. It boasts a 9-car garage, heated pool with underwater windows, sunken tennis courts, a 20-seat movie theater, and a one-acre lake stocked with bass and catfish. The walk-in glass wine cave can hold 700 bottles…along with (we like to imagine) a selection of spherical wine cocktails.

Story #4: Texas Hill Country Wineries hits the funny number.

Last month, Texas Wine Lover reported that the Texas Hill Country Wineries trade association inducted 7 new winery affiliates this year. That brings the total up to 69 members. (Heh heh, you said 69. Heh heh, you said member.)

Juvenile humor aside, the growth of the Texas Hill Country Wineries is just another sign that the Texas wine industry is increasing in size and stature. More than ever, wineries are working together to boost consumer appreciation for Texas wine. Whenever you’re in the Austin or Fredericksburg areas, we hope you’ll stop by for a taste of one these 69 Texas Hill Country wineries. (Nice nice nice.)

Story #5: The TEXSOM annual conference comes to DFW.

Texas’s premier wine pro conference is coming to the Irving Convention Center next month. Now celebrating its 20th year, TEXSOM spans three days and is jam-packed with wine activities. Meet world-renowned wine experts, attend topical seminars, register for certifications, and savor award-winning wines at the much-awaited Grand Tasting and Awards Reception.

TEXSOM is August 24-26, 2025 at Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Full conference passes are $525. Registration and the 2025 schedule are coming soon.

Further reading:

Texas Wine Lover: Where to Go Grape Stomping in Texas 2025

Un Sueño Vineyard: Food and Wine Menu

Candy’s Dirt: 5805 Red Wolf: The Hidden House That Tech Built Sells in Record Time

The Wine Fairy: What Is This Thing? Buzzballz Choco Chiller

Texas Wine Lover: Texas Hill Country Wineries Welcomes 7 New Members, Now 69 Strong

TEXSOM: The Conference

See previous Wine News stories here.

Review disclosure: I was not compensated or provided any free products for this article. Opinions expressed on The Wine Fairy blog are entirely my own.