San Angelo Runs for Wine

This Saturday afternoon, the Christoval Vineyards and Winery held its Wicked Wine Run under partly cloudy skies. This is the second time that the semi-annual event, organized locally by Quentin and Katy Taylor, was held. 

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Taylor said that her husband Quentin is best friends with Sam Davis, an Angelo State University football star, who, with his wife Crystal, operates the Wicked Wine Run franchise all over Texas, California, New York, and New Mexico from the couple's home in Dallas. The event makes money by selling entries into either a 5k foot race or the more popular 1k walk/run wine tasting circuit. Some of the proceeds from Saturday’s event went to the American Cancer Society. The run’s organizers presented a check for approximately $3,000 on Saturday, Katy Taylor said.

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Above: The Wicked Wine Runs bring new customers to craft wineries. This is the inside patio at Christoval Winery on Saturday. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

Katy, a Christoval High School alumni, said that the San Angelo event showcases the Christoval Vineyard and Winery. “A lot of people don’t know that we have beautiful land and a beautiful winery right here in Christoval,” Katy said.

The Taylors also operate the Santa Fe, New Mexico Wicked Wine Run. But no matter where the event is held, their plan is to showcase local vendors and the host winery itself. “All of the food vendors are local,” she said.

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Above: The band's name is Tiffany and the Lump. They're a local San Angelo band. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde)

In the Apr. 2015 event, the first Wicked Wine run attracted about 700 participants. Saturday’s event attracted 550, but Katy is hopeful they will continue to hold the event twice a year here. “I’d say we’ve been very successful, but today’s weather may have kept people from coming out,” she said.

It was overcast but not too cold Saturday. The skies threatened to rain; however, it was dry, and the clouds parted when the race got underway from 4 p.m. until dark.

The race route was mostly on turf around the winery grounds, with portions of the route winding up and down rows of the grapes in the vineyard. The 5k runners were offered a glass of wine upon crossing the finish line. The 1k run/walk participants stopped at three remote stations on the route to taste Christoval’s wines. The winner of the 5k was awarded a bottle of Christoval Winery’s finest wine. Anthony Wilson, public information officer for the City of San Angelo, won Saturday's 5K run and that bottle of wine.

For more information about the Wicked Wine Run, click here.