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    They Grow Up So Fast

    Wonder twin giraffes celebrate first birthday on Central Texas ranch

    Ryan Lakich
    May 14, 2014 | 5:02 pm

    On May 10, 2013, Central Texas welcomed a most adorable set of twins to the world: Wasswa and Nakato, who measured in at 4.5 feet and 5.5 feet tall, respectively. Wasswa and Nakato are twin reticulated giraffes born at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas.

    As the only living set of giraffe twins in the United States (and only the second documented case in the country), these baby Texans received plenty of attention.

    Wasswa and Nakato recently celebrated their first birthday, and Natural Bridge announced that the twins are not only thriving, but they’re also growing fast. Since last May, the first-born female calf, Wasswa, has grown another 4.5 feet and gained 465 pounds.

    Her brother, Nakato, has grown 4 feet and added 400 pounds. And they have plenty more growing to do: The average reticulate giraffe can grow up to 18 feet and weigh between 1,800 and 2,600 pounds.

    After the birth of this special duo, the staff behind Natural Bridge had to grow too. “The twins’ birth was extremely rare. We didn’t have science or history as a guide,” says Tiffany Soechting, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch marketing director and animal specialist caring for the newborn giraffes.

    The twins have also developed their own lovable personalities over the last year. Nakato, known as Buddy on the ranch, is described as more personable and assertive, while his sister can be a bit shy. They enjoy playing with each other, thus doubling the fun at one of the top tourist destinations in Central Texas.

    An obvious highlight at the 450-acre animal preserve, the twins are just two of many exotic animals on the ranch. If you can’t make a trip soon, catch up with the twins by watching this video celebrating their first birthday.

    The twins, Wasswa and Nakato, are the only pair of living reticulated giraffe twins in the U.S.

    Giraffe twins Wasswa and Nakato at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch on first birthday
    Photo courtesy of Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch Facebook
    The twins, Wasswa and Nakato, are the only pair of living reticulated giraffe twins in the U.S.
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    Hotel News

    Grapevine's Hotel Vin refreshes restaurant with brunch, wine and martinis

    Teresa Gubbins
    Feb 9, 2026 | 1:00 pm
    Giant cinnamon roll Hotel Vin
    Hotel Vin
    Share a giant cinnamon roll at Hotel Vin

    A boutique hotel in Grapevine is giving its signature restaurant a major refresh: Hotel Vin, which is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection specializing in one-of-a-kind properties, is re-imagining in-house eatery Bacchus Kitchen + Bar with the introduction of a new set of interactive dining experiences that speak to Grapevine’s wine-centric appeal.

    That includes a brand-new menu from Culinary Director Joseph Thomas, along with expanded experiential offerings, including new wine programming — all designed to transform the restaurant into a fun destination for friend nights out, date nights, and other social excursions.

    New menu
    Chef Thomas has created new elevated comfort-driven menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with highlights such as a Giant Cinnamon Roll at brunch, alongside updated versions of their Angus meatloaf, sticky ribs, and wine barrel chicken.

    Highlights include:

    • Angus Meatloaf “Au Poivre” with Cognac cracked black pepper cream, pomme purée, and caramelized pearl onion
    • Bourbon Pimento Dip with lavash crackers and garden herbs
    • Sauvignon Blanc Mussels in garlic butter broth with preserved lemon and focaccia
    • Maitake Mushroom Toast with truffled ricotta and pistachio gremolata
    • Gulf Blue Crab Cake with roasted corn poblano relish and Tajín-lime rémoulade

    The brunch menu features both breakfast and lunch items ranging from classics like eggs benedict and huevos rancheros to trendy dishes such as Korean fried chicken sandwich, smashburger, and the very buzzy steak frites.

    Brunch highlights include:

    • French Toast Au Vin, with brûléed brioche, citrus zest custard, and blackberry thyme maple syrup
    • Burrata & Prosciutto Frittata with Dallas Mozzarella Co. burrata and heirloom tomatoes
    • Crab Cake Benedict with piquillo pepper hollandaise and Yukon breakfast potatoes

    The signature will be the show-stopping Giant Cinnamon Roll finished with cream cheese icing and maple-pecan caramel — big enough for the table to share.

    Experiential programming
    New programming will emphasize the social nature of the dining experience, including a permanent martini cart offering martinis created tableside, and monthly wine pairing dinners with a more social, approachable format, reinforcing Bacchus Kitchen + Bar as a go-to for wine travelers and locals alike.

    Bacchus Kitchen + Bar has always been wine-centric, boasting an extensive wine list with more than 350 selections from the world’s best wine regions.

    But new programming will include a rotating wine pairing dinner offering, joining the hotel's popular Riedel glassware tasting experience, showcasing how different wine glasses change the taste of various wines.

    Hotel Vin first opened in September 2020, and has always had a wine focus, as befits any restaurant in the city of Grapevine, whose collection of tasting rooms and wineries has earned it the unofficial title of the "wine capital of Texas."

    The hotel is now diving more deeply into that realm.

    "This next chapter for Bacchus is about creating food that feels familiar but thoughtfully refined, with wine playing a role in how flavors are approached,” Thomas says in a statement.

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