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Forget what you know about Champagne and mass-produced bubbly—Texas is rewriting the rules with grit, creativity, and uncompromising passion. In this episode, Kristi Mayfield goes deep into the real story inside a bottle of Torr Na Loch’s traditional method sparkling wine.

If you’ve ever questioned why some sparkling wines are $10 and others command triple digits, you’ll uncover the true, labor-intensive journey that creates those signature tiny bubbles and creamy texture. Blake DeBerry and Colby O'Brien of Torn Na Loch share how they overcame million-dollar equipment costs, leaning into their engineering backgrounds to invent a made-in-Texas, hand-riddled approach—cutting startup costs by over 90%—and creating a boutique sparkling you can actually taste the effort in.

Learn how Malvasia Bianca grapes are hand-harvested and nurtured for acidity, why every bottle is touched by human hands up to 86 times, and how artisan riddling racks and cattle dosers for dosage dosing become tools of the Texas wine revolution. Understand how manual production and long aging translate to a richer, more meaningful glass (and a much fairer price tag).

This episode is a must-listen for wine lovers looking to decode wine pricing, discover Texas craft winemaking, or simply sip with more confidence—knowing exactly what’s gone into their glass.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why hand-crafted, traditional method sparkling wine costs more—and why it matters for taste and quality
• How Torn Na Loch engineered their own production revolution for Texas sparkling wine, reducing costs and maximizing flavor
• The behind-the-scenes secrets of riddling, aging, and the sheer number of skilled touch points in every bottle
• How sparkling wine is far more than just a celebration treat—it's a story of passion, innovation, and Texas grit you can taste

Episode Timestamps:

[00:02:30] “From Red to Bubbles: Why Torn Na Loch Chose the Hardest Wine to Make in Texas”
Discover why a Texas winery ditched convention and bet big on traditional sparkling wine, despite the region’s reputation for bold reds.

[00:07:14] “Million-Dollar Equipment—Or DIY: How Innovation Slashed Costs & Created a Revolution”
Learn how high equipment costs almost ended the dream, and how DIY ingenuity saved the day and changed Texas wine history.

[00:15:01] “Hand Riddling and the 86-Touch Process: What Really Sets Artisanal Sparkling Apart”
Explore the manual journey—riddling racks, twice-daily turns, and the secret to that creamy bubble mousse you only get from the traditional Champagne method.

[00:23:13] “Disgorgement by Design: How Texas Winemakers Freeze, Dosage, and Top Every Bottle”
See how custom-built gadgets (and a little farm wisdom) make each bottle absolutely unique, from yeast pucks to precise sugar dosing.

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