Picture it . . . April 5, 2025 . . . Lubbock, Texas (a nod to one of my favorite ’80s sitcoms) . . . the day I attended my first Lubbock Uncorked, when a snowstorm blew in, dropping around 1½ inches of unexpected snow on Lubbock. Man, that was a crazy day! Now, rewind 24 hours to when I drove in a day early to make a couple of winery visits, my first stop being the then–recently opened Adelphos Cellars. It was going to be a little over a two-hour drive, and I wanted to get there as early as I could since it was going to be my first visit. So, I hit the wine road a little before 10:00 a.m. with a tank full of gas, a Honcho of Dr Pepper from Allsup’s, and a bag of white cheddar PopCorners for my road snack. The drive in was smooth, although I got a little tangled up in road construction after getting into Lubbock. Well, all I can say is, thank goodness for Waze and its ability to reroute on the fly!
While its tasting room was the newest in Lubbock at the time of my April visit, Adelphos Cellars is certainly no stranger to the Lubbock wine scene. Back in 2006, Jim and Barbara Irwin established Cerro Santo Vineyard, planting 11 different varietals across 22 acres and selling their grapes to wineries throughout Texas. In 2018, the Irwins teamed up with David and Kathy Conklin and Mike and Tammy Boring to establish Adelphos Cellars, making Cerro Santo their estate vineyard and launching their namesake wine under the skillful hands of Manuel Lechuga, who is still their head winemaker in 2025. Then, in 2019, Adelphos Cellars began selling wine directly to consumers at events and festivals, quickly gaining a fan base. That same year, Jim and David, with their families’ agreement, decided it was time to expand the family business by opening a tasting room. After scouting for land, they found the perfect location in 2021: an old golf course at the corner of 112th Street and Indiana Avenue. As with most new construction, the project took longer than expected, and the grand opening was finally held on February 7, 2025.
When I arrived at Adelphos Cellars, I was struck by how large the building was, which soon made sense. The main entrance immediately caught my attention; it looks like you’re walking into a wine barrel.
That theme continues inside, where the walls and ceiling are lined with wood slats reminiscent of barrel staves. Jim Irwin, who was expecting me, greeted me at once and gave me a tour.
The entire right-hand side of the building is an event center that can accommodate about 350 people, complete with bride and groom suites, each thoughtfully appointed. The event center is beautiful, with polished concrete floors, chandeliers, wood beams, and two full walls of windows—one overlooking the courtyard and the other the back of the property. Being on an old golf course, the back of the property is lush and green with plenty of trees, making for a serene setting. Since opening day, the event center has been busy hosting weddings and other gatherings.
Outside, the spacious courtyard includes a covered patio and outdoor fireplace. It opens to the back of the property, where the team plans to plant grapevines to create a more picturesque backdrop for outdoor weddings. The courtyard is also a great spot to relax with a glass of wine, especially in the cooler spring and fall months.
Back inside, we entered the tasting room, designed in the same style as the event center. On the right is the tasting bar; on the left, a wall of windows. The space features wood floors, high ceilings with beams, a fireplace, a private room in the far left-hand corner (perfect for small gatherings), a second-floor loft with additional seating, and access to a covered patio overlooking the courtyard. I told Jim the tasting room reminded me of something you might see in Italy, with its simple, slightly rustic charm.
In the back left-hand corner is what will eventually serve as the main barrel room. While production will remain at Cerro Santo Vineyard, barrels will be moved to the tasting room for aging. This will allow for special barrel tastings and add another dimension to tours.
After the tour, we sat down to visit—and, of course, to taste some wine. Adelphos offers several different tasting flights at varying prices, along with wine by the glass or bottle. The menu also includes wine cocktails, frozen wine, mocktails, beer on tap, coffee drinks, bottled water, and juices. A solid food selection is also available: charcuterie, salads, flatbreads, baked cheeses, and desserts. I didn’t get to try any food during my visit, but the Sicilian flatbread is at the top of my list for next time. During this visit, I tried the Reserve Wine Flight, plus a few extras:
- 2019 Primitivo Riserva
- 2021 Merlot Reserve
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
- 2022 Graciano Reserve
- 2023 Viognier
- 21 Old Friends
Over the years, I’ve spoken with many winery owners whose goal is to create a family legacy—something their kids will want to join and eventually take over. The Irwins and Conklins are no different, and opening the tasting room was about continuing to build their brand while expanding the family business. Their children are all on board, and I had the chance to meet most of them during my visit. As with most family businesses, “other duties as assigned” applies to everyone, but each family member also has a primary role…