We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alex Bader. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Alex, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
Customers care and want us to succeed! We are lucky to be part of a fantastic community with regular guests who share ideas of improvements, volunteer in cellaring activities, relay truthful insights, or simply enjoy an afternoon with us. One such moment that resonates with me is the scene of a community table filled with a family of four generations– ranging from grandparents to grandchildren (needless to say no alcohol for guests under 21 years of age). And recently, a dear customer and wine club member pulled me aside and wondered why I am still shoveling soil and pouring concrete instead of soliciting a well capable contractor. Their sharp perception is a demonstration of compassion and concern they share for me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, my name is Alex Bader and I am the Wine Maker and Founder of Golden Oak Micro Cellar, a boutique winery, bordering Sam Houston National Forest. Me and my wife, Catherine, opened the winery during the Covid pandemic in late 2020. We both love the process of transforming the gift of mother nature (in the form of wine grapes) into a culinary experience for wine lovers. Every year we follow a specific cellar management plan to ensure that we create wine styles supporting our identity and are well-suited for our guests. Catherine’s natural talent as a host, as well her professional experience in quality management, has become the seed to our mission: “Humbly Serving People with Passion, Perfection and Polish”. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed; Golden Oak has been awarded “Top Texas / Limited Production Winery in 2025” for its Best in Category placement of its Lenoir Wine at the Lonestar International Wine Competition.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Foremostly, I’d love to credit my mother, Marianne, for my work ethics and resilience. Raised as the oldest out of five orphans during post World War II in Austria, she was a very dedicated housemaker and fantastic cook. It was imperative to her that her two sons excelled academically and achieved better living standards than hers. With her persistent check-ups, she made sure that we were well prepared for every single exam. Marianne also had a great sense of fashion (she loved to dress up), made a habit of arriving early for appointments, and was always committed to promises she made. Although my mother passed away last November, my memories of her remain very close.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say, “There are no shortcuts in pursuit of your journey”. In the moment one may surrender to a shortcut and think it’s a smart move; it may save time and effort, perhaps even get you further ahead, but ultimately one will likely pay a price. “No shortcuts” is also important in wine making, especially when crafting a food product.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
For us, it’s simply our winery and community. We love our place in the country– peaceful and pristine– yet we’re well connected to the infrastructure around us. Luckily, I am gifted with a partner sharing the same passion for nature, wine culture and hosting people at our venue. Our winery also gives us reason to dream about future improvement projects, or to enhance the customer experience. In fact, our recently added Zen garden is close to completion, and we introduced a new tea-infused wine-tasting experience. We named it “Tavin”, which stands for “Tea Activated Vin” (Vin meaning wine in French). Stay updated for more to come!
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Customers from near and far would miss the heartfelt intimacy of the place, whether it’s the soothing soul instilled by its ambience, the ever-welcoming staff in the tasting room, or the great, handcrafted wine. Cheers!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldenoakmicrocellar.com
- Instagram: golden_oak_micro_cellar
- Facebook: Golden Oak Micro Cellar
- Yelp: Golden Oak Micro Cellar
