Producing wine on our own premises and with our own grapes allows us to have complete control over all aspects of the winemaking process. This gives our customers the confidence that year after year we will deliver both quality and yields to support and grow the Texas wine industry and the Texas economy.
In 2013, Tommy and Jana English purchased Caprock Winery in Lubbock, Texas. Realizing the beauty and potential of this facility, they invested their efforts into bringing Caprock Winery back to a state of the art production and processing center, as well as a premier event venue. The English’s began to renovate the building, the landscape, and added more estate vines consisting of Malbec and Tempranillo. However, a piece of the puzzle was still missing… a family who knew the wine industry. In January of 2018, the English’s had the opportunity to partner with Steve and Cindy Newsom, known for their quality Texas vineyards located in Hockley County. This partnership sealed the missing element in making English Newsom Cellars an award winning producer of Texas wines. These two West Texas families have the work ethic, integrity and passion required to bring wine lovers the best Texas wines available from the premier facility in this area.
They happily extend the invitation to come and see what Texas tastes like!
OUR VISION: English Newsom Cellars wants Texas wine to be celebrated, enjoyed and shared.
OUR MISSION: As a small family owned winery we are able to focus on every detail of quality from the vine to the bottle.
OUR VALUES: We will achieve our vision by staying true to the following core values:
• Employees: We are committed to treating our employees as our greatest asset by providing competitive wages, responsive management, and training.
• Flexibility: As we strive to serve and satisfy the needs of our customers, our exceptional team accepts that change is a key factor to staying ahead of the curve.
• Teamwork: A culture of respect, communication, and high standards produces excellent employee hires and retention. With a strong cultivation mentality, English Newsom Cellars believes that a good idea deserves to be heard, regardless of title or position. We take pride in our work and are proud of the top-tier team of professionals moving us forward.
• Rewards: Competitive wages, and a service-centered culture is the bonus for being part of the English Newsom Cellars Team.
• Love Local: We aim to support Lubbock and Texas. We do this through sharing the beauty of our facility and award winning wines with visitors from across the country. We also provide a wine experience that brings customers back to the region time and time again. Our award winning wines are 100% Texas High Plains and we take pride in that. We are also known for donating to local charitable causes. We are dedicated to the continuous growth of English Newsom Cellars locally and statewide.
We encourage you to discover our award winning wines from the world’s largest wine competitions. At these competitions the top wine experts, including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers, come together to blind taste wines from across the world.
Our wine has won numerous national and international medals and best in class designations. These awards are a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
Kyra Simmons – Business Manager
Kyra is from Acuff, TX and received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University. After graduation she began her career in management. With over 20 years of managing people in retail and restaurant settings, business growth is her passion. Empowering a team to be creative and provide superb customer service gives her enormous gratification. At English Newsom Cellars she has the unique privilege to indulge in every aspect of the business. Kyra is able to manage many things at once and keeps things operating smoothly for the employees and the business.
Savannah Duby – Tasting Room Manager
Savannah was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. After high school, she lived in several different locations including California, Hawaii, and Lebanon while she worked with an international missions organization. During that time, she gained a passion for serving people and learning about international cultures. When she returned to Lubbock, she had the opportunity to work in the coffee industry, eventually working as a coffee roaster. While learning about coffee, she was able to recognize the vast similarities within the wine industry. This interest brought her to English Newsom Cellars where she continues to pursue a passion of learning, serving, and craft.
Christie Hodge – Wine Steward / Training Coordinator / Shift Leader / WSET Level 2
Christie has lived in Lubbock for most of her life. She graduated from Texas Tech University with degrees in Advertising and Food and Nutrition and worked as a registered dietitian. Christie is a homeschool mom and teaches in a homeschool co-op. She is active in her church and loves to exercise. Christie also hosts AirBnB homes in Lubbock, which gives her an opportunity to connect with guests and create a space that makes them feel welcome and valued. Her mission in working at English Newsom Cellars is the same – to serve guests superb wine and connect with them through warm, caring service. Christie has her WSET Level 2
Nathaniel Pfahning – Wine Steward/ Shift Leader
Nathaniel was raised in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating high school in San Antonio, Nathaniel moved to Lubbock to pursue his higher education at Texas Tech University. At Texas Te3ch, Nathaniel continues to study his passion of Finance with a minor in music education. Nathaniel has been exposed to wine since an early age and is excited to further his wine knowledge during his time here at English Newsom Cellars.
Mary Kate Snelling ~ Wine Steward / Shift Leader
Mary Kate was born in Houston, Texas, but spent her childhood growing up in Boerne, Texas. She is currently a senior at Texas Tech University and is studying Human Development and Family Studies. Mary Kate enjoys working with others and getting to meet new people. Her favorite thing about working at English Newsom, is the positive and encouraging environment. She hopes to continue to grow her knowledge and passion for wine here at English Newsom.
Tucker Mathis ~ Wine Steward / Introductory Sommelier (CMS)
Tucker is a native of Powder Springs, Georgia just outside Atlanta. Upon Graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served as an Artilleryman and Local Security Chief. During his time in the reserves, Tucker fell in love with the restaurant business. As a hospitality veteran of 10 years, Tucker discovered a passion for wine while working at a French brasserie in Atlanta. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 2019, he helped build a service team at one of Atlanta’s popular restaurants, The Select. In the following year, he was promoted to Beverage Assistant and Retail Wine Coordinator. In 2022, Tucker coordinated weekly wine tastings as a sommelier at sister restaurant Paces & Vine. He recently moved to Lubbock to continue his education in the Restaurant Hospitality and Institutional Management program at Texas Tech University. Tucker holds an Introductory Sommelier certificate (CMS), enrolled in Certified Specialist of Wine Program (SWE), and is currently a student at South Plains College.
Stefan Rudeloff ~ Wine Steward
Stefan is originally from Dallas, Texas where he grew up around wine and gained a deep appreciation for the industry early on. He came to Lubbock to study at Texas Tech University, where he is currently studying History as his major. Stefan’s favorite part about working at English Newsom Cellars is getting to interact with guests and work the many different types of events hosted at the winery. In his free time, he loves hiking, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with his friends and family.
Seth Satterwhite ~ Wine Steward
Seth was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. After graduating from South Plains College, Seth transferred to Texas Tech University in pursuit of a degree in Plant and Soil Sciences. His passion for agriculture was ignited during his experiences in FFA. He raised livestock, completed welding projects, and competed in several leadership development events to prepare him for a career in agriculture. After taking a liking to viticulture, there was no better way to continue his wine knowledge than to begin working in the tasting room at English Newsom Cellars.
Madison Libby ~ Wine Steward
Madison was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She is currently attending Texas Tech University and studying nursing. She is outgoing and loves getting to know people which is why she enjoys the environment of English Newsom. She is excited to further her knowledge in Texas Wine and teach others about our story!
Lycretia Thompson – Brand Ambassador
Lycretia Thompson is from Lubbock, Texas and attended Texas Tech University. She has over 30 years of experience in office management, sales and marketing. Lycretia represents English Newsom Cellars in a positive light, and by doing so, helps increase brand awareness and sales. She embodies our culture in appearance, demeanor, values and ethics. To know her is to love her!
Joy Tackett – Winemaker
Joy was born and raised in Lake County, CA, where she grew up in a small, country town on her parent’s ranch, riding horses and caring for livestock. She earned her college degree in Natural Sciences from Santa Rosa College in CA, where she took Viticulture and Enology classes, as well as a number of winemaking and wine tasting classes. For her first job in the wine industry, she worked as a vineyard technician and cellar hand at a prestigious winery and vineyard in Lake County, and right away she knew she loved the wine making process. She then traveled to New Zealand to work a wine harvest at one of the largest wineries in Marlborough, NZ, where she worked in the white wine cellar on the yeast inoculation team. Her passion for winemaking grew! Back in the States, she then worked several harvests at a custom crush winery in Napa Valley, CA, as a Cellar Hand, Lab Technician, and Vineyard Sampler. Joy was then asked to come back to work for the winery in Lake County, so she continued there assisting the winemaker for a few years. Now, in 2023, Joy, her husband, and their son are moving to Lubbock, TX! She is very excited to grow and continue her career in winemaking as the new Winemaker for English Newsom Cellars and looks forward to helping produce delicious Texas wines.
Mariah Carlisle – Production Manager / WSET Level 2
Mariah was born and grew up in Lubbock, Texas. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Texas Tech University and went on to complete her Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies combining Chemistry, Business and Viticulture. In her final semester at Texas Tech, she participated in an internship with Llano Estacado Winery. During this time, she discovered her true passion for wine. Next, she spent three years as the Manager for a wine lab in Brownfield, Texas, where she became very familiar with different grape varieties, winemaking styles/methods and storage techniques. She was also in charge of Quality Control for the bottled projects. At the end of 2019, Mariah joined the team at English Newsom Cellars as the Tasting Room Manager. She enjoys familiarizing others with English Newsom wines as well as continuing her own wine education.
Anson Pinkston – Cellar Hand
Anson is 22 years old and is from northeast San Antonio. Anson works as a Cellar Hand and his daily responsibilities may include laboratory work, barrel maintenance, cleaning tanks, tours, checking the vineyard, forklift operating, and hands on activities with the wine. Through his job with English Newsom Cellars, he has the pleasure of assisting in almost every aspect of production. Anson takes deep pride in his work and loves what he does. Outside of work, his hobbies include playing division one rugby, bodybuilding, attending church and, sharing wine with friends and family. He is still currently in school pursuing a degree in Political Science from Texas Tech.
Aubrey Iles – Wine Steward
Aubrey Iles was born in Fort Worth, Texas and moved to Graham, Texas when she was very young and eventually graduated from Graham High School in 2021. She is currently a sophomore at Texas Tech pursuing a career in nursing. Aubrey and her family have always had a huge love for learning, gaining new experiences, and expanding their knowledge. Aubrey hopes to learn new things about wine, the process it takes to create, and the pairing ability of wine and that is exactly what she is doing at English Newsom Cellars hoping to further her knowledge.
Keegan Newsom – Vineyard Manager
Farming and developing world class vineyards is my passion. I manage 21 varietals on 100 acres in Hockley County, Texas. My dad and I have a reputation as a supplier of quality winegrapes.
I started working in the vineyards at age 14. In high school I realized I wanted to work with my Dad and follow in his footsteps. My philosophy in growing grapes is to treat each varietal and each site unique to the soil type, water availability and then adjust to what Mother Nature gives us each year with the weather.
Gus Estrada ~ Cellar Hand
Gus is from Haskell, Texas and moved to Lubbock in 2018. He attended South Plains College where he earned two Associates degrees. He completed the first degree in Welding in 2015 and the second to develop himself into an Electrical Technician. After completing both Associates degrees, he went to Texas Tech University to double major in Business Management and Business Economics. Gus’s hobbies include wood and metal working, amateur astronomy, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.
Kollen Furr ~ Cellar Hand
Kollen is from Aledo, Texas. He is hoping to graduate from Texas Tech University in 2023 and is currently pursuing a degree in Pre-Veterinary Science. After this, he looks forward to attending Texas Tech’s Veterinary school. Kollen was raised around horses and started riding four years ago. He has been riding professionally for the past two years. As a Cellar Hand, he has the pleasure of assisting in almost every aspect of production. His daily responsibilities may include laboratory work, barrel maintenance, cleaning tanks, forklift operating, and hands on activities with the wine. Kollen takes deep pride in his work and loves what he does. Outside of work, his hobbies include Professional Saddle Bronc Riding, training horses, fishing, and attending church.
Angie Alspaugh – Compliance Manager
Angie received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from Texas Tech University. She worked for 25 years in the mental health field as a Licensed Professional Counselor, with the last 15 of those years in the role of Clinical Director at a residential treatment center for children and teens.In 2009 Angie and her husband Terry founded a nonprofit horse rescue organization, Easy R Equine Rescue, of which she is the Executive Director.
She has been employed at Caprock Winery/EN Cellars for the past 4 years. She is also a registered yoga instructor and teaches classes at several area gyms.
Kristian Martinez
Kristian is from Arlington, TX and graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree. She made her way to Lubbock in 2010 to be closer to her grandparents and assist with some medical needs. After 12 years in the medical field with the last 3 years being in leadership and marketing rolls, Kristian left the field and landed herself at English Newsom Cellars. While she doesn’t have an extensive background in wine, she is learning all she can as quick as she can. She loves wine, and is enjoying every aspect of English Newsom Cellars- from compliance, to inventory, to production, to wine tastings, and to all the amazing co-workers!