Claire is originally from Houston, Texas and currently pursuing a degree in Food Science and Technology with a certificate in enology from Texas A&M University. Claire more than held her own this summer in a winery full of men. Something that is quite a challenge to say the least! “I had to work just as hard as them to prove to them that a lady can ‘hang’ in the winery.” She did a great job of doing just that because Chris has asked Claire to join our winery team full time once she graduates from Texas A&M. Get to know her...
What got you interested in making wine?
The story is familiar, “Food and wine have always been a big part of my family. My family loves to cook and when there is food, there is also wine.”
After beginning her studies in food science, she became intrigued with the fermentation process. “I participated in a study abroad [program] in Italy that was centered around food and wine processing and Mediterranean nutrition. The passion and work ethic of all of the people that I encountered was so inspiring. I decided that I wanted in on the action too.”
“I did not know that oxygen contact is crucial during fermentation. With wine, oxygen always seems to be the enemy, so this was definitely new to me.”
“I’m loving the Malbec Rosé during these warm months. Rosé isn’t a wine that I usually go for,” she says, but the Hye Estate Malbec Rosé is the exception.
“In the future I hope to become the head winemaker of a Texas winery. If I ever choose to go back to school, I would love to earn a Master’s degree in enology. All of the science involved with winemaking is very interesting to me. Eventually, I hope to own my own winery in the Hill Country. Overall, I hope to share my passion and skills with each person that I interact with and to be advocate for women in the Texas wine industry.”
We’re looking forward to welcoming her as a laboratory technician this spring where she will get to be hands on with the day to day science of winemaking.