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Month: January 2026

Perfect Pairings

A Sparkling Journey

February has a way of sharpening our attention on life’s small but meaningful rituals—shared meals, lingering conversations, and the quiet pleasure of raising a glass with someone you love. Few wines are as naturally aligned with Valentine’s Day as sparkling wine, whose effervescence signals celebration while its grace invites intimacy. Whether marking a grand gesture or an unplanned moment of connection, sparkling wine carries a sense of occasion without pretense. It’s this balance—joyful yet refined, festive yet deeply personal—that makes it the ideal companion for a month devoted to love.

We at Texicureans had the pleasure of experiencing an intimate, private pairing at Heath Winery in Fredericksburg, Texas. Chef Ivan Knapp curated thoughtful, beautifully composed dishes to complement each sparkling wine, offering insight along the way into the inspiration, craftsmanship, and family-driven heart behind Heath Winery’s wines.

First Sparkling Winery in Texas

Cristin Tippin, Marketing Project Manager for Heath Family Brands, provided an insider’s look at the vision and craftsmanship behind Heath’s sparkling wines:

“Founded in 2019, Heath Sparkling Wines is the first all-sparkling winery in Texas, and each of our sparkling wines is produced through Méthode Champenoise, the traditional winemaking method used in Champagne, France.

Latest Developments

Cristin adds, “New in 2025 is that Heath Sparkling Wines will now all be produced in-house at our new state-of-the-art sparkling wine production facility at Invention Vineyards in Fredericksburg, TX. All wines are made using the traditional method, with 18 months of sur lie aging to create rich, complex flavors. The new production facility at Invention Vineyards will allow Heath Sparkling to scale production while maintaining the handcrafted quality for which it’s been known. We are also now offering tours of our sparkling wine production facility for guests to see firsthand how each of our sparkling wines are produced and sample from our collection. Additionally, we are looking forward to releasing the remaining 2022 vintages from our Heath Sparkling collection in 2026.”

Accolades and Milestones:

Cristin pointed to guest response as a key measure of success:, “We generally get overwhelmingly positive feedback on both our wines and the experience provided at Heath Sparkling Wines. We earned a Traveler’s Choice Award from Trip Advisor for 2025 and are among the top 3 wineries in Fredericksburg (1 and 2 being our Grape Creek wineries) and #2 on things to do in Fredericksburg.

There is always something on the horizon at Heath Family Brands! In 2025 we opened our newest winery, K Estate and added our new sparkling production facility at Invention Vineyards. We are focused on investing in our wineries and properties and of course of valued guests and members that will visit us in 2026.

Looking Ahead

Cristin and Ivan echoed one another’s enthusiasm, agreeing that the winery’s forward momentum is fueled by customer feedback and the promise of what lies ahead. As Heath continues to refine its sparkling wines, introduce new releases, and deepen its ties to the community, its focus remains clear: crafting wines that bring people together and honor life’s moments—both everyday and extraordinary. Guided by innovation and grounded in tradition, the future of the winery is one they are eager to build, one bottle at a time.

Curious about that pairing?  Here you go:

Blanc de Blanca

Deconstructed Chicken Wing:  Chicken chip, whipped ranch, buffalo sauce and yogurt, honey

Euphoria

Black-eyed pea bruschetta:  Thyme whipped ricotta, bacon, red bell pepper, collard greens, dijon mustard lemon crostini

Ebullince

Heath’s famous Herbes de Provence Marcona Almonds

Adoration

Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake:  wine jellies, cherry cajeta

Watch Video

 

 

Good For You Salad Dressing

This vibrant vinaigrette does more than wake up your salad – it quietly works behind the scenes to support your health, too.

At the base is EVOO, rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and powerful antioxidants hat help reduce inflammation and support brain and cardiovascular health.  Pared with apple cider vinegar, the dressing aids digestion and may help keep blood sugar levels steady after meals.

A touch of local honey balances the acidity with gentle sweetness, offering natural enzymes and antioxidants you won’ find in refined sugar.  Dijon mustard not only adds depth and a subtle bite, but also helps emulsify the dressing so everything blends beautifully.

Turmeric brings its golden hue and anti-inflammatory  properties to the mix, while fresh garlic delivers immune boosting compounds and supports heart health.  Together, these ingredients create a dressing that’s bold, balanced, and deeply nourishing.

This is the kind of recipe that proves healthy food doesn’t have to be boring – simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can deliver both exceptional flavor and meaningful benefits.  Drizzle it over crisp greens, roasted vegetables, or grilled proteins, and let it do what it does best:  make everyday meals feel intentional and delicious.

I keep it in the pantry – ready for use.

Watch Video

Good for you Salad Dressing

Why not make your salad dressing a way to include great nutrients?
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Condiment
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • 1 Reusable Salad Dressing bottle or mason jar works as well

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother)
  • 6 tbsp EVOO = 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp local honey
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients together in a bottle or jar. Close lid and shake vigorously. Can also emulsify with an immersion blender.

Notes

To give it an Asian flare, add 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari and substitute 2 tbsp of EVOO with sesame seed oil.  
Keyword Salad Dressing, homemade, healthy

Herbed Mashed Root Veggies

This recipe celebrates seasonal vegetables you may not reach for every day—but once you do, you’ll wonder why they weren’t already in your rotation. Naturally sweet parsnips and turnips are balanced by deep orange carrots, then gently infused with fresh herbs for a dish that’s both comforting and quietly complex. Together, these roots deliver plenty of fiber, vitamin C, folate, potassium, and antioxidants, making this dish as nourishing as it is satisfying.

Finished with silky, sautéed leeks, the flavor deepens even more—bringing subtle sweetness along with vitamins K, A, and C, plus a boost of manganese.

Think of this as a hearty, herby alternative to mashed potatoes: rustic yet refined, cozy but elevated. It’s a beautiful companion to roasted meats and just as compelling as a vegetarian main—proof that humble vegetables can steal the spotlight.

WATCH VIDEO

Herbed Mashed Root Veggies

A packed full of nutrition alternative to mashed potatoes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch organic carrots with tops washed, sliced into 1 " pieces
  • 2 medium parsnips peeled, cubed into 1" - 2" pieces
  • 2 large turnips peeled, cubed into 1" - 2" pieces
  • 1/2 cup evoo
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves removed from stem
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary finely chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup milk or bone broth
  • 2 stalks leeks thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.  
    Add the chopped carrots, parsnips, and turnips.   Cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
  • While the vegetables are cooking, saute the leeks in 1 tbsp EVOO until soft. Set aside.
  •  Drain the vegetables using a colander and return to the pot.
  • Add the EVOO, fresh thyme, rosemary, and milk or broth to the root vegetables.
  •  Mash well with an immersion blender or potato masher.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  •  Pour into an 8 x 8  casserole and spoon leeks on top.  Can also top with additional fresh thyme leaves. Serve warm.

Notes

  1.  Organic carrots do not need to be peeled.  Parsnips can be scrubbed and not necessarily peeled (this is what I do),  A medium size turnip can also be scrubbed, but large will need to be peeled.  
  2. I use a ninja chopper to chop the rosemary. 
  3. Can be made a day or two ahead.  
Keyword parsnips, turnips, carrots