The Story Behind Hippo
More Than a Name. A Story Worth Sharing.
Every bottle of wine has a story, but some begin long before the first grape is harvested.
For Barons Creek Vineyards, the story of Hippo goes all the way back to Chris Chase’s freshman year of high school—and a nickname that would follow him for a lifetime.
How “Hippo” Began
As a freshman, Chris had his sights set on playing football. His father, however, had other plans and wouldn’t allow him to join the team. So Chris decided to try something different: tennis.
He made the team.
It was the 1980s, when many of the tennis players Chris competed against were tall and lean—think John McEnroe. Chris, on the other hand, was built much more like the football player he originally hoped to become.
Then came his very first high school tennis tournament in Hutto, Texas.
Chris won.
On the ride home, his coach, Jim Anderson, jokingly gave him a nickname that would stick for years to come:
“Hippo Chase.”
From then on, whenever Chris won a tournament, the announcement would come over the school intercom:
“Hippo Chase!”
Before long, everyone knew exactly who Hippo was.
A Nickname That Became Something More
Years passed, but the nickname never completely disappeared.
Around the same time Chris and his brothers were preparing to open Barons Creek Vineyards, Coach Anderson passed away.
When Chris arrived at his coach’s funeral, he noticed people throughout the church turning around to look at him. As they smiled, he could read their lips.
“Hippo.”
In that moment, the nickname took on an entirely new meaning.
It was no longer simply a funny name given to a high school tennis player. It represented the friendships formed along the way, the memories that had lasted through the years, and a coach whose influence had stayed with Chris long after his final match.
From a High School Nickname to a Barons Creek Wine
When it came time for the Chase brothers to name some of the first wines at Barons Creek Vineyards, Hippo felt like an obvious choice.
The name carried everything they wanted wine to represent: friendship, laughter, connection, and memories shared with the people who matter most.
Today, when you see Hippo on a bottle of Barons Creek wine, you’re seeing more than a name on a label. You’re seeing a small piece of the Chase family story and a tribute to the people and experiences that helped shape it.
And just as the name Hippo brings back unforgettable memories for Chris, we hope each bottle becomes part of yours.
Open it with lifelong friends. Pour it around the dinner table. Celebrate something big—or nothing at all.
Because some of the best stories begin with a bottle of wine, good company, and a name you’ll never forget.
HIPPO
A nickname. A memory. A story meant to be shared.