De Terra Vineyard & Wines of Somerville, TN
*Disclaimer: This content is not paid or sponsored in any way. It is written as an informational guide for readers to explore and experience the winery mentioned in the post.
De Terra is a term that is translated from Latin meaning “earth”. One of the owners, Jerry Pentz embodies that. He and his wife Teresa picked the right name for their vineyard and winery. The French term ‘terroir’, used in the wine industry to describe unique qualities in wine from the earth, is derived from terra. So when you hear the name De Terra, you know it is down to earth, like its owners. Jerry is usually working in the vineyard or in the wine production room. So when you drive up to the small tasting room at the front of the property you think nobody’s home. But then you see him coming down from the hill on his golf cart to greet you. He’s a very laid back kind of guy, in his t-shirt and shorts and work jeans he’ll chit chat with you as if he has nothing else to do. What he produces from vine to bottle comes out as nothing short of astonishing. De Terra has some wonderful wines that will give you a sense of nostalgia and newness all in one sip.
Along with the wines, there are things to purchase like branded t-shirts and delicious jellies made with their grapes. The small tasting room feels homey and intimate and is only an introduction to what De Terra has to offer. Speaking of offerings, De Terra hosts the Grapevine Jubilee which hosts music and a food truck approximately every other Saturday from May to October.
Quaint and down to earth location and people producing delectable wines is De Terra Vineyard and Wines of Somerville.
The Wine:
I will start with their Cedar Ridge wine. Now I am a Chambourcin guy. That grape, to me, produces a great wine whenever it’s not messed with too much. De Terra’s take on this wine has come out in a bottle of scrumptiousness. It is middle of the road on sweetness. Dry and sweet wine lovers alike will enjoy this one because it is not overly anything. In my opinion it can go with dinner of just about any kind. Pasta with red sauce, fish with lemon, a bowl of chili, Cedar Ridge wine will pair with no problem.
The 2021 Bonafide Red is a dry wine that just feels like its name. Bonafide, tried and true. It is robust and solid, but not heavy on the palate. This wine to me pairs well with steak. No wonder I like it, it is a blend of Chambourcin and Sauvignon grapes. Two grapes that hold their own but in this wine, they play perfectly together.
In the south, Muscadine grapes have been popular for a long, long time. So finding muscadine wine isn’t usually hard, though it seemed to be scarce for a decade or so. Now I have a particular aversion to muscadine wine. I love the fruit itself and it’s special to me because a beloved great aunt used to say that I had Muscadine eyes, big and dark. As for me and the wine, it typically leaves something in my mouth that is an aftertaste before the after begins. The taste (and lots of times scent) of burnt plastic begins to linger just after muscadine wine hits my tongue. I have tried over fifteen of this kind of wine and I can say that about 98% of them leave a version of this same taste behind for me. De Terra’s Muscadine Red is in the two percent that does not. Don’t get me wrong, this is a ‘me’ issue, as all taste buds are different for all people. But I was pleasantly surprised when this one left me with nothing but the soft jamminess of the fruit. It is not strong on the alcohol either, but you know it’s there. This one appealed to me so much so, that it was the bottle I chose to bring home on my last visit.
The Experience:
The laid back demeanor of Jerry and the intimate tasting room are the experience at De Terra Vineyard and Wines of Somerville. The tasting room has a small, homey vibe. Standing room at the wine bar, you are up close and personal while getting all the knowledge of the wines. With a few artworks on the wall and some of the winery’s souvenirs and specialty bottles to view, De Terra is unpretentious in its atmospheric offering. There is no overstimulation of the senses so that you can focus on the wine and the company you’re in. I have yet to experience the Grapevine Jubilee, but I can believe that it is a good time because of the genuine way that the Pentz’s run their winery.
Tastings:
The tastings here are free and they offer a small sampling of all they have available. I recommend trying everything. You might be surprised at what you like. I just opened a bottle of the Muscadine Red which I thought I wouldn’t like because of my dislike for most muscadine wines. Thanks to tasting De Terra’s, I was sold.
My Takeaway:
De Terra Vineyard and Wines of Somerville, TN is a small town treat with genuine heart. A place to try something in which you can taste the work of the hands and the fruit of the earth. If you want a laid back experience and good wine, you can’t go wrong with De Terra.
For more info, go to: https://www.deterrawinery.com/