About the Headwater Brand
The name "Headwater" carries deep meaning for us, rooted in both place and philosophy.
Long before San Antonio formally existed, this land was known as Yanaguana, often translated as “Land of the Spirit Waters.” The area we call home is believed to have once held the highest concentration of natural springs in North America. In a region where surface water is scarce, the presence of cool, clean spring water was nothing short of miraculous. Those waters shaped settlement, sustained life, and still flow today* from the source springs that give rise to the San Antonio River.
Headwaters are where everything begins. They are quiet, powerful, and essential. They represent origin, possibility, and movement forward.
That idea mirrors how Headwater Cellars came to be.
Our family has been making small-batch wine since the late 1990s. In 2017, we launched Whisper Path Cellars as our flagship brand, focused on premium, top-shelf Texas wine made entirely from scratch. Whisper Path was always intended to reflect refinement, patience, and precision.
Headwater Cellars is different by design.
As access to high-quality Texas grapes expanded, we felt called back to the heart of why we started making wine in the first place: curiosity, creativity, and the simple joy of the craft. Headwater gives us the freedom to experiment, to explore new ideas, and to make expressive wines that are confident, approachable, and deeply rooted in tradition.
The name also serves as a reminder of how we choose to operate. To stay upstream. To look ahead rather than follow. To honor what has come before while remaining unafraid to try something new.
Headwater Cellars is both a tribute to the spirit waters that shaped our home and a reflection of our own creative source. Where tradition begins, and where innovation takes form.
Our Philosophy:
Great wine doesn't need to be pretentious or intimidating. Wine is about enjoying quality time with people, about conversations with those you love, or making new friends altogether!
At Headwater Cellars, we take pride in our commitment to small-batch production. Our wines reflect the diverse terroir of the Texas grape growing regions while fostering a communal atmosphere where everyone is welcome. We aim to break down barriers around wine appreciation, prioritizing quality and accessibility without the pretense often associated with the industry. Each bottle tells a story and invites you to explore the rich culture of Texas winemaking and the unique flavors from our local vineyards.
We take a minimal intervention approach to winemaking, allowing the grape to express itself through our wine, and adopting only practices that reflect the highest of international wine production standards. These practices are meant to assure the product you buy from us is safe, stable, and able to be enjoyed either immediately or with reasonable cellar aging.
Meet Our Team
Jesse Villarreal
Winemaker/Owner
Kyn Villarreal
Co-Owner
Jacob Villarreal
Brand Manager
Seleste Lohmeyer
Social Media & Marketing
Our Eco Commitment
Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Headwater Cellars. We are dedicated to eco-friendly practices, including:
-
Composting virtually all solid organic waste
-
Bottle reuse (in-house) & recycling
-
Cork reuse
-
Preference shown to vineyard managers with sustainable practices
We believe that enjoying quality wine should come hand-in-hand with caring for nature.
Connecting the Brand
Headwater Cellars is a passion project of Whisper Path Winery (@whisperpathcellars). Check out our flagship brand that started it all.
