Built to Bring People Together
At the heart of Wedding Oak Winery, is the belief that wine brings people together to savor the joys of life. It's a reminder to pause, appreciate the blessings of the land, and indulge in the company of friends, family, and community.
Meet Mike and Lynn McHenry, the passionate owners of the winery. In 1996, on a spontaneous whim following a trade show in Dallas, they located and purchased 112 acres just south of San Saba, and soon after, McHenry retired from a 33 year career with Ecolab. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Jim Johnson, the owner of nearby Alamosa Wine Cellars, sparking his fascination with grape cultivation. Through Jim’s mentorship, they planted their cherished Cherokee Creek Vineyards in 2000, initially providing grapes to Alamosa and other established Texas wineries.
Fast forward to late 2010. In conversations with business leaders in San Saba, the concept of building a destination winery in the city commercial business center was born. Following an intensive due diligence period, and with the support of several friends, Mike and Lynn fulfilled their dream of opening Wedding Oak Winery in the historic heart of San Saba. The beautiful 1926 tasting room and 10,000-case production facility was restored and built on the northern edge of the Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and State Highway 16. This marked an exciting addition to the city's downtown revitalization efforts.
To lead their winemaking endeavors, they enlisted the talented Penny Adams, an iconic figure and the first woman winemaker in Texas. Penny's dedication to using only Texas-grown fruit and her exceptional skills have propelled the winery to become one of the state's top destinations for wine enthusiasts. On June 1, 2012, the team proudly opened their doors to the public, becoming a central part of the San Saba renaissance.
Growth continued as Wedding Oak Winery expanded their presence to the Texas Hill Country in March 2016. The McHenrys established a tasting room at Wildseed Farms, allowing even more wine lovers to experience the delights. In January 2019, they closed out the project and began construction on a new tasting room, just down the Wine Road 290 across from Alstadt Brewery. The new Wedding Oak Winery tasting room opened in May 2019, welcoming visitors with open arms.
In September 2019, they embarked on yet another exciting venture, opening a multifaceted hospitality center and tasting room in Burnet, Texas, right on the Burnet County Courthouse Square. This stunning new facility spans 8,500 square feet and comprises the historic Badger Building, originally constructed in 1883, as well as the adjacent property. With various spaces to relax and relish in the award-winning 100% Texas-grown wines, including the main tasting room, an elegant wine club members lounge, a serene ground-level patio, an expansive rooftop terrace with courthouse square views, and the spacious Badger Room adjacent to the terrace, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Just as small-town Texas embodies casual beauty, friendly personalities, and a relaxing atmosphere, Wedding Oak Winery is dedicated to crafting 100% Texas-grown wines that honor our unique terroir and favorable wine-growing conditions. The Wedding Oak team has garnered many accolades over the past 12 years, winning numerous local, state, and national awards. These include numerous medals from Houston Rodeo Uncorked, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Lone Star International Wine Competition, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, TEXSOM, and San Antonio Rodeo Wine Competition.
More importantly, Wedding Oak Winery engages with the local communities where our wineries are located. We are involved through sponsorships, donations, Chambers of Commerce memberships, involvement with industry organizations, Rotary Club participation and numerous local organizations.
An excellent example is our involvement with the San Saba Community Foundation where our dedicated Wedding Oak team partners with their annual fundraiser to help fund projects that benefit the economy and well-being of the town. We are also valued members of Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and Texas Hill Country Wineries, with team members serving in leadership positions, committees and volunteer roles.
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