Life is a Cabernet

Funky urban winery uncorks new East Austin tasting room and outdoor space

The Infinite Monkey Theorem is moving its headquarters from Denver to Austin.

Photo courtesy of Infinite Monkey Theorem

With some of Texas’ most respected wineries located just a short drive away in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is already a prime destination for wine lovers. Now, an ambitious urban winery is looking to bring the experience inside the city limits.

On December 12, The Infinite Money Theorem announced it is opening a Texas headquarters to East Austin in late January 2019. According to a company rep, the new flagship at 702 Shady Ln. (the former home of Pump Project) will replace the current outpost at 121 Pickle Rd., more than doubling the current space and allowing the brand to produce up to 10,000 more cases a year, some of which will wind up at the upcoming Dallas taproom.

Though owners Aaron and Meredith Berman have lived locally since bringing IMT to Austin in 2015, they still used the original Denver location as the headquarters for their operations in both states. That fact was reflected in the original Pickle Road lineup, which only featured one wine using Texas grapes, a cinsault rosè.

Since then, the winery has added more Lone Star varietals like tempranillo, chenin blanc, and viognier. Its 2016 merlot, made with High Plains grapes made a particular splash. In September, Wine Spectator rated it an 87 — one of the highest scores the venerated magazine has ever given a Texas wine.

With such success, it’s no wonder IMT is making the commitment to Central Texas, but the move isn’t just about the wines. The Bermans hope to create a dynamic neighborhood hangout at the Govalle headquarters. Part of that includes bringing in food trucks, but the rep also hinted that a symbiotic relationship with nearby companies would be announced next year.

“It’s exciting to have found a new home for our [headquarters] in East Austin,” said Aaron in a statement. “Beyond the increase in space for production, we’ll open for tours and tastings, with the open floor plan allowing guests to settle in and hang while seeing the process in action. And in the near future, we are hopeful that our outdoor space and connectivity to neighboring businesses will allow Shady Lane to act as a hub for the community.”

Bringing the next urban winery to East Austin isn’t a bad way to do just that.

east-austin wine openings

WHOM THE BELL SOTOLS

Poolside sotol bar splashes into high-end downtown Austin hotel

Photo by Jade Hammer

Cantero Austin.

Austin's thirst for desert spirits may not be precisely quantifiable, but there's no doubt it is on the rise. Over the last decade, several mezcal and tequila bars have popped up throughout the city. No wonder the Line Austin is eager to enter the game with its newest nightlife offering, Cantero.

Officially open as of November 12, it's the Capital City's first bar emphasizing sotol, a sibling spirit of mezcal made with the desert spoon plant instead of agave. The chic space, decorated with Mexican modernist neutrals, opens up to the downtown property's pool.

"When planning Cantero, we knew we wanted to highlight local ingredients and Texas spirits," explained Line head of creative Stefan Merriweather in a release. "Sotol, a regional gem, stood out as something we hadn't yet encountered in a dedicated bar, and we saw an opportunity to introduce our guests to something fresh and unexpected."

Although the bar stocks other spirits, it has one of the broadest sotol collections in the region. While Mexican brands like Flor del Desierto are featured, Cantero stocks Texan trailblazers like Desert Door and Marfa Spirit Co.

Guests can enjoy sotol via standalone tastings or mixed in signature cocktails like the Yucca with Aperol, lemon cordial, habanero bitters, and soda; or the Strelitzia with ginger, lemon, and lavender-honey soda. Other liquors anchor more sippers, like the Dahlia with mezcal, green pepper, sweet corn, and smoked chili bitters.

The lounge also enjoys proximity to the Line's outpost of Veracruz All Natural. Guests can soak up the booze with the entire taco and appetizer menu from the Austin favorite, located adjacent to Cantero.

Cantero is now open from noon to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 10 am to midnight Friday through Saturday, and 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday.

Photo by Jade Hammer

Cantero is dedicated specifically to sotol.

nightlife hotels bars cocktails openings