Previous Issues of the Hill Country Sun

Clifford's Original Wine Bar owners (from left) Lisa Machac, Kathy Jones and Rodney Jones.
Photo by Nicole Royal.

Creating real community at Clifford's
Original Wine Bar in Wimberley

By Jennifer Sabatier

Clifford’s Original Wine Bar is in the business of providing three of life’s basic necessities and blissful delights: good wine, good food and good friends.

Owner Lisa Machac started the Wimberley business with her mother and step-father, Kathy and Rodney Jones, with the desire to create an atmosphere where guests could enjoy wine and quiet conversation.

Lisa brings unique wines to the bar, purchased locally and rotated regularly, so there is always something interesting to swirl, savor and sip. Wine stewards offer a complimentary tasting to assist customers in choosing a wine to suit the moment.
“New Wine” Wednesdays find Lisa hosting a “mini-class” in the Family Room, providing tasting techniques and a chance to try new wines.

The menu includes wines of the world, some of Texas’ best wines and the ever satisfying “Villager,” red or white, for just $4 a glass. A variety of other beverages available include Real Ale beer brewed in Blanco, herbal teas and a fantastic cup of coffee, French-press style.

Clifford’s is much more than a place to find unique beverages at a reasonable price. It is also a place for community gatherings and events. There’s something exciting happening in the cozy house nestled beneath the trees nearly every Wednesday through Sunday.

Customers can find a perfect space to host a book club in the family room, talk quietly in Rodney’s library, enjoy the night sky and new friends on the porch or kick back in the Arch room listening to live music.

“People talk here,” says Lisa referring to the porch. Many a night, informal gatherings erupt into new friendships between people enjoying fine wine and spontaneous conversation.

Lisa, a musician who plays the mandolin and guitar, provides a Saturday evening venue for gypsy-jazz style musicians who have found a home and fan base at Clifford’s. Local talent includes Wimberley-born and raised Amanda Mora, who regularly tells beautiful stories through her songs to adoring fans.

The last Thursday of each month is Philanthropy night, with 10 percent of the evening’s sales going to a local charity. Members of nonprofit groups can enjoy some wine while raising awareness of (and funds for) their organization.

Tuesdays, the bar is closed for business but open to volunteers who show up around 5:30 pm to help create the delicious menu for the week using local, organic produce. The new menu is a direct response to customer requests for more good food at a reasonable price (with $4-8 appetizers).

For locals or visitors passing through looking for a late night meal, Clifford’s kitchen is open later than any other in town.

Clifford’s Wine Club has been such a success it is now offered every Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm, before regular customers arrive. Ladies Texas Hold’Em also meets Sundays at 4 pm for free, informal lessons on the popular game.

And Sunday night is inventory night, when customers can enjoy the last of the week’s wine at a reduced price so that bottles can be emptied to make room for the new varieties.

Many customers leave personal messages on ribbons attached to corks, which hang from banisters, pictures and even a tree branch, a clear sign of the community that continues to develop at Clifford’s.

New groups regularly come together for discussions to explore interesting topics and connect with others at Clifford’s.

“When I am ready to go home at the end of the day, my car takes me directly to Clifford’s Original Wine Bar. It is a quiet place, beautiful,” says local business owner and Clifford’s regular DuAnne Redus.

There are many reasons to visit Clifford’s Original Wine Bar. Customers can keep up with what’s happening in Lisa’s newsletter distributed via email.
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FYI • Clifford’s Original Wine Bar is located at 16920 Ranch Road 12 in Wimberley, three miles north of the Square. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 4 pm to 11 pm. For more information, call 512-847-WINE or visit the web site at www.cliffordsoriginalwinebar.com