Krystal Patel is a striking blond who exudes Texas charm and hospitality. The seventh-generation Texas native had a successful career leading strategy and operations for a tech company before going into the family business, as owner and winemaker at Meierstone Vineyards. Although they seem worlds apart, she explains, “My love for cellular and molecular microbiology and chemistry earned me an undergrad degree, after which I transitioned to business with an MBA, and later a Certified PMP layered with lean six-sigma training. Starting Meierstone Vineyards was a serendipitous culmination of all that knowledge, and it's been fulfilling bringing it together through winemaking.” As the vineyard’s owner and winemaker she says “my actual duties range from janitor to cutting down mesquite and spraying cactus, to monthly legal reporting and accounting” but that she loves it because, “Aside from winemaking, which is truly a blend of art and science, I enjoy being on the property, sharing our story and introducing people to Texas wine.” Here’s more from our chat with Krystal on wine and her family’s rich history in Fredericksburg.
The name Meierstone Vineyards
My grandparents' last name was Meier. They had an only child, my mother, who married and became a Stone. I, too, was an only child and married out of my last name, so I thought joining these two final, generational names would be a way to honor the family.
On transitioning from tech to the family business
It was a post-COVID epiphany of the YOLO mantra and to stop putting off your dreams. It was about doing meaningful work every single day and enjoying the journey instead of reaching a destination.
Running remote global teams and sitting on Zoom calls all day found me retreating to our family farm near Fredericksburg on the weekends to unplug, recharge and reset for the week ahead. My grandparents passed a few years prior and the farm needed increasingly more attention and management…So, I quit my job and jumped in with nothing more than determination and hope.
I'm a proud Texan and love all aspects of wine and how it connects people universally. My 20's and 30's were spent visiting numerous countries for agritourism. I grew up making wine with my grandmother, Dora Meier, in the farmhouse basement, and we've been making wine in my family for 7 generations here in Texas, so it seemed natural to keep the tradition going. The biggest reward for me is sharing the same inner peace I feel when I'm on the farm with others. There is something magical watching the cattle graze in the distance with the wind blowing over the crops like an ocean while sipping on a good glass of wine.
On her family’s long history in Texas Hill Country…
Seven generations. In 1846, my triple-great grandfather, Jacob Brodbeck, immigrated from Germany and settled in the little town of Luckenbach, TX - just a few miles from our family farm. He was an inventor and watchmaker back in Germany and had a dream to fly like the birds he saw flying overhead his ship coming to America. So, he created a flying machine he called an "airship" to be flown by an "aeronaut" (himself) and drew up blueprints. He built and flew this biplane right here in the Texas Hill Country in 1865, almost 40 years before the Wright brothers. My grandfather, Albert Meier, only received an 8th grade education but read relentlessly every night. He invented a peanut harvester at age 16 and made a land-clearing device out of a giant steel ball and chains, which he used to develop farmland and clear Fort Hood military base. I love sharing Texas history through wine, so both inventions have wines named after them - the Airship and Wrecking Ball red blends.
On lessons learned from her grandparents…
They taught me the value of hard work and to be generous. Giving back to their community was a constant they did regularly and discreetly. Grandpa also showed me that anything is possible with education and determination.
On the family’s female winemakers…
My grandmother was an avid winemaker! She made wine with the wild grapes growing on the farm as well as many types of fruit wines. She converted the farmhouse basement into her wine cellar and was known for her sweet and strong wines! I left her barrels and equipment intact just the way she left it and enjoy descending the squeaky, wooden staircase for moments of self-reflection.
What sets Meierstone Vineyards apart…
Meierstone Vineyards wines are small batch, made by hand, 100% Texas, and rooted in history. I joke our wines are made "the romantic way" because we don't have expensive, automated machinery and thus rely on muscle and faithful volunteers for bottling.
Meirestone’s best-selling wines
It's a close tie between our two "wines with a story" - the Airship and the Wrecking Ball red blend. The Airship won "Top Texas Wine" at the 2024 Houston International Wine Competition and sold out within weeks, but the next vintage is now available and is even better!
Vision for the future of Meierstone Vineyards
The goal is to stay small and focus on producing high quality wine, provide an intimate experience for our guests, and do good in the community.
Meirestone wines can be enjoyed in their tasting room, located at 573 Meier-Stone Rd, Stonewall, TX 78671 or purchased online. They currently ship to 38 states.
