Day: July 23, 2021

JL Bar Ranch, Resort and Spa’s Texas Hill Country wine weekend getaways

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers exclusive Texas Hill Country wine weekend getaways. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

With over 50 unique and visually stunning wineries scattered throughout the region, there is somewhere new to explore and fall in love with around every bend in Texas Wine Country. Also known as Texas Hill Country, Texas’ growing wine region is one of the most visited wine destinations in the United States and is the fifth largest wine-producing state in the country. Now, visitors can experience the heart of Texas Hill Country and a taste of its terroir with JL Bar Ranch Resort & Spa’s exclusive wine programming and excursion. (JL Bar Ranch Resort & Spa, 2021)

Set on 13,000 acres in Sonora, Texas, JL Bar Ranch Resort & Spa offers unmatched luxury amidst the rolling hills of West Texas. The 32-room boutique resort is just a few hours’ drive (or a short flight on a private plane into JL Bar’s Private Airport FBO) and is perfect for travelers looking to relax and unwind with a glass of wine, with new wine-centric experiences. 

The resort has two renowned Sommeliers overseeing the resort’s wine program and tasting experiences and has recently launched a Fredericksburg Wine Tasting Experience for guests to enjoy a getaway stay that immerses them in all things Texas, with activities and amenities including:   

  • Fredericksburg Wine Excursion: The luxury resort and working ranch now offers new day-trip excursions that allows guests to experience the best of Texas Hill Country’s wine with a day trip to Fredericksburg that includes transportation, a local winetasting and lunch at Victoria Gimino Vineyard, shopping on Fredericksburg’s Main Street, and more.
  • Wine Tasting at JL Bar Ranch: “Drink:” By day, Sydney Beiqueand Jon Joseph lead JL bar Ranch’s equine program, but by night the couple lead the resort’s wine program as Level 2 and Level 1 Sommeliers, respectively. They have curated a wine list on property that is solely small-production wines. Their motto is “if you can buy it in a store, we won’t offer it on the ranch.” All are high-quality, thoughtfully selected wines, available both during meals and as a private wine tasting experience.  
  • Cowboy Cookout: The culinary team at JL Bar Ranch has designed a decadent and interactive social distancing-approved dining experience with its new Cowboy Cookout. Guests can take in the Texas Hill Country views with a horseback ride to the property’s cookout camp, enjoy cocktails and snacks as the culinary team prepares a lavish steak dinner, and relax to country music while soaking in the magnificent sunset.  
  • Hill Country Adventures: From a full equestrian program featuring horseback riding and a horse psychology experience to off-road ATV adventures, a Putting/Chipping Green, weekend yoga, wine tasting, and clay and skeet shooting, JL Bar Ranch’s slew of activities and programming take place primarily outside for the ultimate adventure.   

SAY Sí welcomes new co-directors

Stephen Garza-Guzman and Nicole Amri announce first in-person events at Westside location and registration for 2021-2022 school year. Photo: google

Following the recent announcement of SAY Sí’s executive evolution, SAY Sí’s new Co-Executive Directors Stephen Garza-Guzman and Nicole Amri are excited to welcome the community into its new location as they prepare for the return of in-person events and student applications for the 2021-2022 school year. After delays to its official opening due to the pandemic, SAY Sí is excited to open its doors to the Westside for the first time as construction on the first phase of the new location ends. In order to remain accessible, SAY Sí will continue to offer virtual programming to serve as many students as possible throughout the upcoming school year. (SAY Sí, 2021)

“How often does a new leader have such blessings? Our mission is tried and true, and we’ve had the honor of growing up with and around our powerhouse of a staff. All this to serve students, parents and alumni who are truly the energy and power behind our organization. We’re ready.” – Nicole Amri, Co-Executive Director of SAY Sí.

Co-Executive Directors Stephen Garza-Guzman, a nine-year employee of SAY Sí, and Nicole Amri, a SAY Sí alumna and employee, plan to take what they have learned from the organization to build upon existing programs and serve more youth as they transition into their new roles and open the doors of the 1310 S Brazos location this August. As the organization continues to establish its new home in 78207, the leadership team looks forward to making more meaningful connections on San Antonio’s Westside.  

“We are eager to recruit new students again, pilot new creative mediums and deepen our service to new populations,” – Stephen Garza-Guzman, Co-Executive Director of SAY Sí. 

After graduating the class of 2021 and taking a short break this summer, SAY Sí will welcome the return of its students back into its studios starting this August, as well as four major in-person events for the public, including:

  • August: Back-to-School Art Supply Drive
    As part of many efforts to put school and art supplies in the hands of San Antonio youth, SAY Sí will give away free art supply kits to elementary- and middle school-aged students on Saturday, August 21, 2021 from 10 a.m. to Noon at SAY Sí (1310 S. Brazos St. San Antonio, TX 78207).
  • September: The San Antonio Show
    Centered around local artists, both established and emerging, this celebration of San Antonio’s LatinX roots will dig into the past, present and future, and showcase all the things SAY Sí loves about San Antonio. The exhibition will be free and open to the public. Official dates will be shared at a later time.
  • November: Muertitos Fest
    SAY Sí will celebrate both Native American Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos in a slow reopening of in-person events/activities. More details to be announced in the coming weeks. 
  • December: We Are Now: Youth Voices During Challenging Times
    In collaboration with UP Partnership, SAY Sí is taking submissions for this city-wide high school art show. For more information or to apply, contact SAY Sí.

Applications for the 2021-2022 school year will open on August 1, 2021. Updates and more information on the application process can be found online. 

Founded in 1994, SAY Sí is a national award-winning, art-based nonprofit youth development program located in San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the organization is to provide San Antonio area students in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to develop artistic and social skills in preparation for higher educational advancement and career building. SAY Sí programs serve over 200 students from all of San Antonio’s school districts – in addition to serving 4,000 youth in community programs. SAY Sí’s unique approach to education has placed the organization on the national stage, with recognition as one of the top out-of-school-time organizations in the country by The Wallace Foundation, as well as serving as one of seven international youth arts organizations chosen to receive an inaugural Creative Catalyst Award by Adobe Project 1324 in 2016.

 

Mixtli announces grand opening of new Southtown location

The team behind San Antonio’s most lauded restaurant has officially announced opening. Photo: Mixtli, used with permission.

The team behind Mixtli, the nationally renowned progressive Mexican restaurant, has officially announced the opening of the new space located at 812 South Alamo Street in Southtown. Led by Executive Chefs Rico Torres and Diego Galicia, 2017 FOOD & WINE’s Best New Chefs and James Beard semi-finalist nominees for “Best Chefs Southwest” in 2018, Mixtli’s new space features a larger dining room, an open kitchen concept and a new bar. Tickets open one month in advance and are now available here for August. (Mixtli, 2021)

“We are very excited to call Southtown our home,” said Diego Galicia. “The area is a legendary hotspot for restaurants, and we are so lucky to be able to be right in the middle of it. The residents have been incredibly warm and welcoming. We cannot wait to welcome every one of our guests back.”

Like clouds, the menu travels from place to place offering a tour in Mexican gastronomy and will rotate quarterly. If the state has a border with the ocean, the Mixtli team starts the trek on the coast and works inland, bringing dishes specifically from that region or state. After each season, the cloud travels to other lands, and the team begins again with a new menu.

“Mixtli’s mission to rescue, revive, protect, and promote the history and origins of Mexico’s Gastronomy continues to grow as we expand into our new home,” says Rico Torres. “With the addition of the bar program, new team members, and additional space we can curate the guests’ experience in new and exciting ways.”

Now through September 18, Mixtli is currently featuring the Oaxaca menu. Oaxaca is known as Mexico’s most iconic microcosm of food. With endless coasts, mountains, and forests, it is a region that presents some of the most unique and ancient flavors in Mexico. Known as the land of the seven moles, Oaxaca is a powerhouse of regional food. Its folklore and flavors are unique, and it is a state where food and drink are celebrated like nowhere else in Mexico. Guests can expect menu items such as Tichinda cold water mussels and chintestle; Barbacoa de Mariscos seafood barbacoa, seaweed salsa and tortillas and Mole Amarillo grass fed-ribeye with roasted onion and Chilhuacle Amarillo.

The Bar at Mixtli offers a variety of beverage options including cocktails, agave spirits, and a progressive wine list. Paying homage to the traveling food and drink menus, the bar features an 8 ft. cloud that has a mind of its own. The ever evolving cocktail list was crafted by longtime San Antonio mixologist Derik Cortez. Derik has been in the cocktail industry for 22 years and has trained under notable craft cocktail figures like Jake Corney from Jazz TX and Christopher Ware, formerly from Paramour.

Mixtli is located in San Antonio at 812 South Alamo Street Suite #103 and is open Tuesday—Saturday with the first seating beginning at 5p.m. Parking is available at the restaurant.

Helmed by owners and Executive Chefs Rico Torres and Diego Galicia, Mixtli’s menu travels from place to place, offering a tour in Mexican gastronomy. Chef Rico Torres and Diego Galicia were named one of FOOD & WINE’s Best New Chefs of 2017 and James Beard semifinalists for “Best Chef Southwest” in 2018. The current Mixtli is located at 5251 McCullough Ave.