Our philosophy is simple: the place matters. A unique terroir and an ideal microclimate support a classic standard of viticulture and winemaking. Parr Vineyards is nestled in hilly terrain with its own micro climate, experiencing warm days, but cool nights even in the July and August heat. These conditions allow for more balanced flavors and exceptional fruit.
You can taste the difference.
It all started with an exquisite glass of wine with dinner 50 years ago in rural England.
Our lives have been blessed with the opportunity to learn the taste of good wine over years of being stationed in Europe with the Air Force. One particular place comes to mind: The Boot House in England. The owner had a passion for pairing gourmet food and the best wines. He had this way with words when he was explaining the plates on the menu: how each piece of meat was cooked, how each side was prepared. It really caused you to experience the dinner as if it was the first time you’ve eaten in your life. You truly tasted each bite of food, each sip of wine. These dinners always reminded us to cherish life.
Wine has been around for centuries, used in celebrations, in remembrances, even in sacred ceremonies. A good glass of wine elevates every experience, bringing us into the present moment. That is why it has become our passion.
Years ago we began to explore wine making at home, striving to create the rosé that we cherished from a visit to Spain. Now we are living our dream of creating noble wines from the land we are blessed with from the Vine to the Barrel.
Here at Parr Cellars Tasting Room, we love sharing our passion of winemaking and grape-growing with the public through our Parr Wines, made with 100% Estate grown grapes from our vineyard in Mason County. Growing mostly French and Portuguese varietals, we strive to create bold wines to elevate any experience. Come enjoy a glass of wine with us at our winery in downtown Mason!
From the vine to the glass, these are the people who are with us every step of the way. These are the people who help to make our dreams a reality.
Robert entered the wine industry on a whim during his Christmas break in 2007. Little did he know that this would be the beginning of his career in the wine industry. Upon completing his Bachelor of Science in Horticulture at Texas A&M University, he enrolled in the Vinifera Euromaster program. He spent the next two years in France and Spain earning his Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology with an emphasis on warm climate viticulture and enology. His thesis research focused on studying the application of high pressure technologies in over lees aging of red wines and repercussions in sensorial parameters. After completing his degree, Robert worked in the South African and Oregon wine industries before returning to Texas in 2012 to be the winemaker for Compass Rose Cellars. Here he helped to shape and develop the winery and its brand. Robert later joined Kuhlman Cellars as assistant winemaker and vineyard manager. In 2016 he left Kuhlman Cellars to join his wife, Lydia, in the adventure of starting Vine to Vino Consulting. Robert worked the 2017 harvest in Napa, CA learning about the operations of a custom crush facility and expanding his knowledge in winery operations.
Fritz Westover is Viticulturist and owner of Westover Vineyard Advising, based in Houston, Texas. Fritz obtained his BS in horticulture and MS in Plant Pathology from Penn State University, where he worked on projects including grapevine decline, grape disease management, and the science of compost application in vineyards. He specializes in vineyard consulting for over 1,500 acres of vineyard, and is active in research and education in the south and southeastern US, drawing from more than 15 years experience in the vineyard industry including extension and outreach positions in Virginia, Texas, and California. Fritz contributes to wine industry educational programs in several states and is founder of Virtual Viticulture Academy, a leading resource for practical grape growing information for all levels of winegrape production. He can be reached by email at Fritz@VineyardAdvising.com, at his website www.VirtualViticultureAcademy.com or by phone 713.584.3360.
Maureen Qualia lends her expertise to Mason county winemakers through consulting and lab analysis. She has actively worked in wine production for more than fifteen years. Her experience in the industry, however, has been life-long as she grew up around her family’s winery in south Texas. Maureen received a BS in Nutrition at the University of Texas at Austin and an MS in Enology from California State University at Fresno. After completing her MS, Maureen held positions in the lab and cellar at several wineries in Sonoma County where she advanced her skills under the guidance of some of California’s top winemakers. Seeking diversity in fruit and wine styles, as well as to find a region that more closely resembled her home state of Texas, Maureen moved the Paso Robles area taking a position as the head winemaker/ production manager for a medium-sized winery. Today, Maureen is an instructor of enology for Texas Tech University. She has developed and teaches classes for the Texas Winemaking Certificate program and manages the “micro” teaching winery at the Tech facility in Fredericksburg.
Parr Vineyards is a place of natural beauty graced with abundant wild flowers, amazing history and an ability to grow a variety of grapes for elegant wines.
Every single vine is tended by caring hands. Each harvest is hand picked early in the cool mornings. With each glass you can taste the soul of the land.
Raise a glass to those who labored in the Field, in the Cellar, and most of all The Creator of the Terroir in Mason County. Celebrate life with us.
