About Airis'Ele Vineyards
Life begins with family, and sometimes friends become family...this is Airis’Ele.
Founded by the Bernard and Perrenoud Families, our passion and experience graft together
to bring fine wines to your table.
The Story of Our Families
Bret & Chris PerrenoudOwner
Bret and Chris Perrenoud have been in the Texas wine business combined for over 44 years.
Chris is 6th generation Texan, born in Fredericksburg. After starting a part-time job while attending college at a new winery, she fell in love with the industry. Bret & Chris shifted their education majors to the Texas wine industry. Chris is actually responsible for getting Bret his first interview in the wine trade. There his passion for business and agriculture combined in a truly unique manner. With 2 children on their way out of the house and off to college, Bret and Chris decided now was the time to write their own piece of Texas wine history. They are both excited to bring passion for excellence in Texas wine while encouraging travelers to discover gems along the way.
John & Susie BernardOwner
John and Susie Bernard live in Fredericksburg and have 5 kids and 7 grandchildren between the two of them. They are very involved in the community and both are very familiar with the hospitality industry. John moved to Fredericksburg when he started a restaurant, met Susie, and fell in love. John is from New Iberia, LA is a cajun, has been in the oil & gas industry most of his life, and has many varied businesses and interests. Susie hails from Miami, FL, is from an old restaurateur family, but has lived in Texas most of her life and considers herself a Texan. She was in the direct sales industry for 35 years which enabled her to fulfill her desire to be a stay-at-home mom, while at the same time, helping provide for her family. Both Susie and John have been blessed to be able to work hard to accomplish the successes they enjoy.
Slow down from the mad dash and stop in to experience the authentic Texas Hill Country.
Once an old farmhouse set back from the highway, Airis'Ele Vineyards Tasting Room is the collective vision of our owners. Completed in 2022, this stunning building now includes multiple tasting areas both inside and out with panoramic views of the large, aged oak trees. Bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for our frequent visits from over 30 species of birds and an occasional sighting of our Axis on property.
Indulge in our world-class wines and relax in the picturesque nature that defines this region we love so much.
Slow down from the mad dash and stop in to experience the authentic Texas Hill Country.
Once an old farmhouse set back from the highway, Airis'Ele Vineyards Tasting Room is the collective vision of our owners. Completed in 2022, this stunning building now includes multiple tasting areas both inside and out with panoramic views of the large, aged oak trees. Bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for our frequent visits from over 30 species of birds and an occasional sighting of our Axis on property.
Indulge in our world-class wines and relax in the picturesque nature that defines this region we love so much.
Dave Perrenoud, Bret’s dad, found one shed (antler) in the field while walking the property for the first time. John, Dave's best friend, later found the other shed near the river bed behind the tasting room. Amazingly, they were a match; so after buying the property, the idea was born to use them for the logo.
These exotic Axis sheds represent the grapevines that are pruned back and re-grow each year and the uniting of our two, separate families.
The Summer Tanager provides a great feature and pop of color on our label/logo.
While walking the property during the early stages of the tasting room development, Susie, an avid birder, noticed a predominance of Summer Tanagers everywhere. (Male red, Female yellow). With their distinctive sound, slight elusiveness, and mesmerizing beauty, these birds are an excellent addition to the Airis'Ele Vineyards experience.
Airis'Ele, the blending of the 2 names
Airis comes from John Bernard's side of the family, and Ele is derived from Chris's maiden name Bendele … to become Airis’Ele. (pronounced Air-is-L)
Dave Perrenoud, Bret’s dad, found one shed (antler) in the field while walking the property for the first time. John, Dave's best friend, later found the other shed near the river bed behind the tasting room. Amazingly, they were a match; so after buying the property, the idea was born to use them for the logo.
These exotic Axis sheds represent the grapevines that are pruned back and re-grow each year and the uniting of our two, separate families.
The Summer Tanager provides a great feature and pop of color on our label/logo.
While walking the property during the early stages of the tasting room development, Susie, an avid birder, noticed a predominance of Summer Tanagers everywhere. (Male red, Female yellow). With their distinctive sound, slight elusiveness, and mesmerizing beauty, these birds are an excellent addition to the Airis'Ele Vineyards experience.
Airis'Ele, the blending of the 2 names
Airis comes from John Bernard's side of the family, and Ele is derived from Chris's maiden name Bendele … to become Airis’Ele. (pronounced Air-is-L)