Behind the vine

Cheramie Law - Cheramie Wine - Texas, United States

When do you think you fell in love with wine, enough to make a career of it?

One of my first dates with my partner Todd was to Texas Hill Country in the Fredericksburg area. It really sparked a desire in us to understand Texas wine. We ended up traveling across Texas, meeting with winemakers, growers, and industry leaders, to ask ‘What is Texas wine?’. We realised that 90-95% of wine made in Texas is drunk in the state, so people outside only know the larger wineries - but the big guys don’t speak for the little guys. Through our travels, we'd made a name for ourselves. We knew grape growers, winemakers and I decided: 'I want the world to know about Texas wine'. There’s too much awesome stuff in this state that we need the world to know about.

What story does your wine tell?

My name is a big part of the wine. In WWI there was homing pigeon named Cher Ami in France and she saved a battalion of Americans. The 77th Battalion. They had gone too far off the grid, so the Americans didn’t know where their own people were, and this battalion was surrounded by Germans. They couldn’t move, and they ended up being bombed by their own people. So this pigeon, Cher Ami, she was sent out to deliver a message. She was shot, but she made it to the Americans with the note that saved the 77th. That hardship and fight to get to an awesome finish. That’s the story of me and my experience in wine.

My wines are all Texas grown, Texas made. Every vineyard I get grapes from, they are my friends. I love being able to tell the Texas wine story from someone who doesn't look like Texas wine person.

My first wine I’m releasing is a Riesling. A Texas Riesling, that's insanity! A grape normally grown in cold regions, I was so interested in how it could perform here. And, she was a diva in the process! But she's an easy-drinking wine: light, clean, crisp, delicate and balanced.

What misconceptions about wine do you think people should forget?

That only one region can grow wine. And only one wine is good. That only France or California can grow good wine. A lot of marketing dollars went into creating that. But it's annoying when people say 'I only drink a Napa Cab'. It’s just breaking that habit. Not getting stuck in one region or varietal.

What great things about wine do you think people should remember?

Wine is farming, it started as a grape. Wine is grown all over the world. I’ve met people in Australia, Moldova, California, Oregon, Minnesota. There are up and coming wine regions all over. But it's all the same. People and their passion for what they're doing.

What is a piece of advice you would give to a woman interested in breaking into the wine world?

The most important thing has been networking. It's a daunting task, but it's the most important thing. Even if you aren't selling wine yet, you can be getting to know people and getting into rooms. I would get into rooms and you just work it. Whatever you can.

Who is a woman in wine you think everyone should know about?

I gather energy and inspiration from different people, but Julia Coney - she is so important to me and Black wine professionals. She is inspiring and motivating.

I also love Cathy Corison. Hearing her talk about stubbornness and perseverance. It's reminds you it’s supposed to be that hard, just keep going. But each woman that I meet it's something different about them that I gather my inspiration.

Where can women find your wine?

We ship to about 34 states, so you can order on our website: https://cheramiewine.com/