Texas regularly benefits from the growth and innovation of
the Texas Wine industry. In the past decade, wineries and tasting rooms have
energized local economies and their communities. The expansion and success of
Fredericksburg and Hye are primary examples of how the industry can invest in
the community, create and sustain satisfying and well-paying jobs, and create
new revenue streams. Each year, yet another town, especially those in the Hill
Country, grow brighter thanks to the efforts of the wine industry. In recent
years,
Wedding Oak Winery has helped the City of San Saba. Now, they plan to
continue their effort by doing the same for Burnet.
Wedding Oak and San Saba
For those who have visited San Saba, the positive influence of
Wedding Oak is clearly apparent. The small town provided incredible potential –
a strong history, a devoted community, and ample possible attractions. Mike and
Lynn McHenry, along with other local investors, decided to bring San Saba back
to life. The group started with the winery. Then, when Wedding Oak opened, they
did more than just join the San Saba community, they provided the aid needed to
grow San Saba and make it a unique destination.
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| Wedding Oak Winery's Namesake |
San Saba had a struggling town center – like many small
towns in Texas. But, it also had a great history and beauty that could easily
aid the town’s certain success. So, Wedding Oak and its investors purchased a
number of old and unoccupied buildings, many dating from the early twentieth
century. Today, these buildings look new and retain their classic charm, and businesses
are starting to fill them up. In addition to the revitalizing the downtown, the
winery promotes the area, encouraging winery visitors to visit important
landmarks like the actual Wedding Oak tree and Regency Bridge, shop at the long
standing local businesses like Harry’s, and attend festivals like Pecan Jam and
the new Sip and Stroll at Christmas. This involvement has created a need for
additional new businesses, like a recently opened bistro. San Saba has grown
and now shines thanks to the efforts of Wedding Oak Winery.
Wedding Oak and Burnet
Now, the winery hopes to do the same for a neighboring small
town, Burnet. Burnet is well situated near a number of Texas wineries – Perissos
(already in Burnet), Flat Creek, Pilot Knob, Pillar Bluff, Texas Legato,
Fiesta, Alamosa, Fall Creek, and, of course, Wedding Oak itself – so it is no
surprise that it will benefit from the wine industry. Like San Saba, the city
has historic relevance and an abundance of wonderful attractions, especially
outdoor recreation. These similarities suggest that Wedding Oak can use their experience to make this new endeavor a success. In fact, Mike McHenry believes
this new plan for Burnet will make the community “a regional hub for the
growing wine industry in the Hill Country.” This hub will help draw more
tourists to the wineries at the “Top of the Hill Country.”
To make this all possible, Wedding Oak has paired with the
Burnet Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) – a city board that uses locally
generated sales tax to grow the community. This team will work to renovate and
invigorate a historic area of the city. The BEDC has purchased a number of
buildings – the Chamber of Commerce and adjacent buildings – in the city square
along East Jackson Street. Specifically, Wedding Oak and the BEDC have acquired
the Badger Building at the corner of South Pierce and East Jackson, which will
house the new winery. Wedding Oak will also be involved with the other adjacent
buildings. Together, they will renovate the buildings and provide new opportunities.
The acquired buildings are an important part of Burnet’s
past. The Badger Building, in particular, first housed a wholesale and retail
drugstore, as well as offices, as early as 1886. Since then, a variety of
businesses and local government offices have used this space. And like many of
these historic buildings, the Badger Building is in need of repair. Some of the
adjacent buildings are like the Badger Building: they merely needed to be
renovated. Others, however, are so damaged that they will need to be demolished
and rebuilt. Soon, the officially designated Historical Site and its neighbors will
return to their former glory, and have a winery also.
All of these plans include Wedding Oak establishing a new winery in Burnet. This location
will include a tasting room with wine sales and a wine production facility. And
just like the main location in San Saba, this new building will also have
additional retail sales and event space. This project does not differ much from
the work started in San Saba. Wedding Oak and its investors purchased a block
of commercial buildings and, still today, continues renovation. The long term
goal is to have businesses establish themselves in these revitalized buildings,
like the recently opened J.C. Campbell Mercantile next door to the winery. As
the project continues, the adjacent buildings will soon showcase other
additions to San Saba. Now, the city of Burnet will enjoy Wedding Oak’s
commitment to revitalizing small, local communities.
The Future of Texas Wine in Burnet
The new project in Burnet will begin production early in
2015. The BEDC and Wedding Oak hope to have the work complete by the fall of
the same year. If all goes well, next October, Texas Wine drinkers will have another
stop on the Texas Hill Country’s Texas
Wine Month Trail. And for Burnet, they will have gain a renovated historic building.
In addition, the community, according to Burnet City Manager David Vaughn, will
have “an entirely new draw with nearly immeasurably benefits” all thanks to
Texas Wine.
