In 2006, husband and wife team David Skinner and Kristen Hopper moved to the Kemah area and began building something unique – Clear Creek Winery, Vineyard & Resort. After their initial acquisition of the cozy 1930s Clipper House Inn, Skinner and Hopper grew the Clear Creek property to include an award-winning, Tuscan-themed winery alongside a Texas-inspired, farm to table restaurant. The past six years of passion and hard work have yielded a multi-faceted destination sure to seduce travelers looking to enjoy a handful of life’s greater pleasures.
The Winery
The WineryFirst-time visitors to Clear Creek will immediately be drawn to the winery’s striking three story tower. An inviting ground floor offers the outdoor dining area nestled among luscious foliage and limestone arches.
A quick trip in the elevator brings you to the first-floor production area, where you’ll encounter the fermentation room, barrel cellar, and bottling line room. The chill of the air and the gleaming stainless steel of the 14 ft tall fermentation tanks let you know this is a serious winery. Wine maker dinners are held each month in the Barrel Cellar where the smell of the wine resting in oak barrels is almost as intoxicating as the flavor of the wine itself. As you ascend to the top floor in the elevator you reach the Tasting Room, Bacchus Room and Bottle Cellar. All three areas offer different styles of elegance and are often booked for private functions.
The Clear Creek gift shop is located nearby and offers a carefully curated selection of wine accessories and apparel. But the real treasures are the gourmet food and wine baskets, which can be custom designed by staff…or the creative customer. These are especially popular during the holidays and offer a unique way to introduce family and friends to Clear Creek’s award winning wines.
The Wine
The WineLed by Wine Master David Skinner, the Clear Creek winemaking team works with over a dozen world class vineyard partners to make every vintage of Clear Creek Vineyard’s wine consistently exceptional.
And it’s fair to call them exceptional. In the last year alone, Clear Creek Winery has won over two dozen medals in international competitions including a double gold in the prestigious NextGen Wine Competition in Napa, California.
Wine Education
The high levels of craftsmanship aren’t closely-held secrets at Clear Creek. The Winery offers enthusiasts a number of ways to deepen their wine knowledge, beginning with Wine Education Seminars that feature the afore-mentioned team alongside other leading food and wine experts.
The Signature Barrel Blending Experience is another unique Clear Creek opportunity. During this two hour private session, guests have the opportunity to create their own blend from five different red wine varietals, along with a custom label to commemorate the experience.
Clear Creek Wine Camp is another “Why didn’t I think of that?” way for wine lovers to broaden their knowledge. The two day weekend camp includes accommodations at Clipper House Inn, a wine tasting and briefing, a commemorative bottle of wine and delicious winemaker dinner.
To continue your wine education at home, the winery offers memberships in the Bacchus Society and the exclusive Clear Creek Wine Club. These memberships make wonderful gifts for family and friends or business associates.
Tabella, A Farm-To-Table Restaurant
Tabella, A Farm-To-Table RestaurantWhether you’re looking to pair a Clear Creek wine with the perfect meal or just hungry for beautifully executed, farm fresh food, Tabella’s warm ambiance immediately embraces you. With three dining areas including an outdoor patio the restaurant offers guests unique and inviting spaces that enhance the dining experience.
Tabella’s menu is fresh in everyway possible. Starting with the farm fresh ingredients (many of which are grown on site) the menu stays fresh by changing with the seasons and offering guests culinary choices not often found in the area including over 20 vegetarian or gluten free dishes.
All natural cocktails are a seductive and fresh amuse before Chef Coco Hogue’s delicious plates begin appearing on the intimate space’s tabletops. And exceptional service is the rule at Tabella, so prepare for professional pampering.
Clipper House Inn
Clipper House InnThere’s no better way to end a day of indulgence at Clear Creek than a night (or weekend) in one of the nine antique-filled cottages available at the charming Clipper House Inn. Surrounded by flower gardens and vineyards, a flagstone pathway winds its way from the cottages and gazebo courtyard to the winery patio. Rated “Exceptional” by TripAdvisor for the last three years, the Clipper House Inn provides all the amenities you would expect from a four star hotel, but in a relaxed and intimate setting perfect for rejuvenating your body and soul. Innkeepers Barbara and Jerry Hopper will ensure your stay is perfect in every way, and (of course) all accommodations include a complimentary wine and cheese reception.
Weddings & Special Events
Weddings & Special EventsThis portfolio of on-site amenities and charm make Clear Creek an alluring place to celebrate a wedding or other special event. The Clear Creek team is available to consult about any special occasion you may have for parties of 10 to 150 guests.
Given the cornucopia of activities and experiences available, it’s no wonder that Clear Creek Winery has been voted Best of the Bay for the last three years. When you’ve tired of the monotony of ordinary life, the entire Clear Creek Winery staff and family are waiting to help you experience Clear Creek’s own special brand of escape.
