Our Team

Our winemaker, Taylor Szymanski, here at Hilmy Cellars, is dedicated to capturing the essence of the finest Texas varietals. Taylor received his education at Texas Tech University, where he went through the Viticulture and Enology program. The proximity of Tech to local vineyards and wineries paved the way for the start of his career at Llano Estacado in the summer of 2017. After graduating, Taylor spent two harvests in the Texas Hill Country before returning for another two harvests in Lubbock. After a brief stint in North Carolina, Taylor joined the Hilmy team in 2023. Taylor is passionate about producing small-batch wines in a thriving Texas industry. 



Each wine is handcrafted in our cellar, representing our label's pride in producing and bottling in limited quantities to ensure premium quality. Utilizing both stainless steel tanks and the finest French and American oak barrels, we are committed to crafting wines that stand out in both quality and character.

Our assistant winemaker, Sarah Yockey, joined our team January of 2023, where she worked as cellar hand. Sarah graduated from Texas Tech with her Bachelors in Viticulture and Enology. Since then, Sarah has worked her way up to becoming our assistant winemaker as of October of 2024. She has experience working in Marlborough New Zealand, where she fell in love with Sauvignon Blanc. She has always had a passion for making wine but finds the delicate balance of white and rose wines especially compelling. She is excited to continue learning and growing in an industry that is doing the same!

With over 85% of our grapes sourced from the Texas High Plains, we celebrate the distinctiveness and expressive nature of Texas wines. Our mission is to preserve the grape's integrity and embody its true expression in every bottle. Through rigorous quality control in farming practices and a balanced approach to the art of winemaking, we strive to achieve a harmonious blend of elements that contribute to the creation of exceptional wines.