The Why Behind the Wines

For some, wine is a fascinating exploration of nature and science. For others, wine is either red or white and is the perfect accompaniment to dinner. For us, wine is a love language.

One of the wonderful side effects of having distinct concepts that explore different cuisines is that it allows our Wine Director, Ali Schmidt, to explore the many sides of the wine industry. Ali has been on our team for over 5 years starting as a manager at Emmer and Rye. Always with a passion for wine, it became very clear that Ali possessed the amazing talent to make wine both geeky and approachable.

Now, with the addition of Pullman Market in San Antonio, Ali curates over 1,600 bottles at any given moment and works with over 300 front of the house team members to get them stoked about wine. Yep, Ali Schmidt is a badass.

With October being Texas Wine Month, we decided it was time to share a bit about what makes each wine program so special. Settle in (maybe with a glass of wine?) and discover the "Why" behind our wine lists.

High Accolades at Hestia

Offering the most robust and high end wine list of our group. The wines at Hestia are classic and iconic wines. With sommeliers on the floor each night, it is easy to deep dive into the wine list. They also create weekly wine flights in the bar on Thursday nights allowing guests to enjoy different expressions.

Hestia has won the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 2 years in a row. What does this mean? Well, there are 1,531 winners in the US and the award looks for “wine lists display excellent breadth across multiple winegrowing regions and/or significant vertical depth of top producers, along with superior presentation. Typically offering 350 or more selections, these restaurants are destinations for serious wine lovers, showing a deep commitment to wine, both in the cellar and through their service team.”

Ask Ali: What are 1-2 wines that you believe personify the Hestia wine list? I’m going to pick a pairing that personifies Hestia! If you’ve dined at Hestia, you know the slow cooked Halibut with a decadent brown butter sauce cannot be missed, on our tasting menu we are pairing this with Patrick Piuze’s Les Sechets 1er Cru Chablis 2022- the bright and mineral Chardonnay cuts through the richness for a pairing that lifts both components to higher levels. The magic of food and wine pairing and the presence of our talented and thoughtful sommeliers -Zach and Alexis- are what make Hestia’s wine program so special.

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An Emphasis on Exploring at Emmer & Rye

The wine list at Emmer & Rye follows the ethos of the concept. We look for sustainable farming and food friendly wines. There is an emphasis on exploring both classic and up & coming American wineries.

Emmer also has a Wine Spectator Award, the award of Excellence. This award is slightly different from the award at Hestia. There are 2,150 winners in the US and these wine lists, which should offer at least 90 selections, feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.

Ask Ali: What are 1-2 wines that you believe personify the Emmer and Rye wine list?

The Lewis Wines Klein Vineyard Tempranillo 2019, sourced from vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, is a special bottle on the list right now. We’re excited to welcome Doug Lewis to Emmer & Rye on 10/17 for a special winemaker event!

Outside of celebrating emerging American talent, Emmer & Rye has always been a go-to for amazing skin contact and orange wine. I love Good Boy Wine’s ‘Party Boy White’ on the list right now- a cheerful and refreshing Riesling blend from Santa Ynez, California.

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Good Vibes on the Vine at Canje

Canje is all about the Good Vibes and the wine menu is an extension of this. The wine list focuses on Good Vibes meaning wines that makes a social or community impact, or Island wines (wines sourced from islands, capturing the oceanic influence and transporting you)!

Ask Ali: What are 1-2 wines that you believe personify the Canje wine list?

We’re currently pouring a delicious, spicy Shiraz from HER Wine Collection that pairs amazingly with our Wild Boar Pepper Pot. This collection is a great example of our Good Vibes wine mission- HER Wine Collective is an all-female all-black collective of talented winemakers producing South African wine. Read more about their amazing wines here and come get a glass of Shiraz soon!

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First Class Flights at Ezov

The world of wine is vast and the menu at Ezov allows us to dip into the wines of the Eastern Mediterranean. You can find adventurous bottles from Lebanon, Greece, and Israel. There are also rotating wine flights available every night to allow you to explore multiple glasses throughout a meal all curated by our team.

Ask Ali: What are 1-2 wines that you believe personify the Ezov wine list?

I love our wine flight! Right now it is focused on Lebanese Wines. It features Mersel Leb-Nat Gold (a fun pet-nat from the native grape Merwah), Mersel Phoenix Rose and Dar Richi Cabernet Blend from the Bekaa, Valley.

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Playing with Porrones at Kalimotxo

Spain is a robust wine region and Kalimotxo allows us to highlight the variety. It also is the perfect place to get playful with Porrones, Sherry flights and Vermouth. Pass around the porron or dive into a complex bottle Rioja (the perfect Ribeye pairing!)

Ask Ali: What are 1-2 wines that you believe personify the Kalimotxo wine list?

Drinking Gaintza Txakolina out of a porron is as Kalimotxo as it gets! Txakolina is the regional Basque wine- light, refreshing and slightly effervescent and poured out of a porron and passed around the table with your friends is the way to do it!

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Musings of the Mediterranean at Ladino

Mediterranean wines are on full display at Ladino. There are so many paths to choose from and with 50% off bottles of Wine on Sunday plus weekday happy hour Ladino is a great place to dive into wine.

Ask Ali: What are 1-2 wines that you believe personify the Ladino wine list?

The Skouras ‘Megas Oenos’ 2018 is one of my favorites at Ladino- it is a full bodied red blend of Agiorgitiko and Cabernet Sauvignon and was one of the first Greek wines to bring international attention to the wine scene. Plus, it’s a killer pairing with the Lamb Belly Ribs.

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Pullman Market: A Playground for your Palate

There is a lot to unpack at Pullman Market. With Mexican wines at Mezquite, Italian Wines at Fife and Farro, and an extensive wine program at Isidore, Pullman is a wine lover’s dream.

In addition to the restaurants, there is a wine cave smack dab in the middle of the store. The team rotates different themes and bottles throughout the year and also offers free wine tasting classes to the public. It is a wonderful space to continue the wine journey.

Ask Ali: What has you excited about the Pullman Wine Program?

Pullman is such a playground for both the experienced wine nerd and folks just getting into wine! At Isidore, we have a deep cellar to explore- from the best of Texas Wine Country to older vintage Burgundy. Fife & Farro and Mezquite both offer casual and fun places to drink great bottles from Italy and Mexico/South America respectively. At Nicosi, the beverage pairings will take you on a journey to complement the dishes- from spirit forward cocktails to boutique wines.

And the wine cave is my paradise! We source the wine shop like we do our restaurant wine lists - with a focus on small and sustainable producers with a story to tell. From special occasion bottles to your Wednesday night couch wine, we focus on deliciousness and great value.