North Texas is home to an extraordinarily vibrant culinary scene, so it comes as no surprise that it’s home to established winemaking as well.
Texas has over 4,000 acres of producing vineyard farmland, according to Texas Wines & Grape Growers Association, and the wines have a lot to offer. Explore the rich winemaking culture in North Texas by visiting these local wineries, and discover what makes Texas wines unique.
4R Ranch Vineyards & Winery
Situated in the Red River Valley, this stunning location is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Taste estate wines produced from the Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards on the ranch, as well as other varietals crafted from carefully sourced grapes.
Checkered Past Winery
Located in Dallas’ South Side neighborhood, Checkered Past Winery is an urban wine pub that offers quality wines from Texas and beyond. One of the standouts under their own label? The Red Red, a tantalizing blend of Carignane, Mourvedre, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and Cinsault.
Cross Timbers Winery
Get a glimpse into the history of Grapevine by visiting this true Texas winery. Located in the historic Brock Family farmhouse, the winery features a tasting room with indoor and outdoor seating for guests to enjoy wine tastings and education. The winery offers a widespread portfolio of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines. Rosé fans can rejoice after tasting the Texas Blush, a vivid nonvintage rosé with tropical fruit and citrus spice flavors.
Eden Hill Winery
Situated 40 minutes north of Dallas by Celina, this family owned winery produces wines made from grapes grown on the estate vineyards as well as other vineyards around Texas. Visit the tasting room and wine store to taste wine, walk around the vineyard, and spend time with the chickens. If you’re a fan of Italian wines, this winery makes some stellar Italian varietals — Marsanne, Aglianico and Montepulciano — in addition to their other offerings.
Fortunata Winery
At this family owned winery in Aubrey, you’ll find everything from sweet whites to sparkling wines. Visit the tasting room and pair the selections with brick oven pizza or a cheese board. One selection you won’t want to miss is the Fortunata Symphony, a hybrid varietal created with Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris. If you like tropical, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc, you should check that out here, too.
Inwood Estates Vineyards Inc.
While truly based in Fredericksburg, Texas, this winery offers a Dallas location for those desiring the taste of Texas wines in an “urban winery” setting. Visit the tasting room for happy hours, “wine down” events and more. Started in 1981, Inwood Estates offers high-quality wines made from Texas grapes, especially Tempranillo.
Landon Winery
With locations in Greenville, McKinney, and Wylie, this winery is home to award-winning wines made from both Texas and California grapes. Enjoy a bite at the bistro, or join the wine club and get the chance to taste these wines every other month. If you enjoy full-bodied Tempranillo, a trip to this winery should be on your bucket list.
Lonestar Wine Cellars
Enjoy wine tasting Texas-style at Lone Star Wine Cellars. This family operated winery is situated inside McKinney’s historic Old Ritz Theater Building and offers award-winning wines under The Ranch Wines and Lone Star Wines labels. Enjoy a glass while listening to live music Wednesday through Sunday.
Messina Hof
Started in 1977, Messina Hof was one of the pioneers of the Texas wine industry and has now grown into a winery producing 130,000 gallons each year. With locations in Bryan, Fredericksburg and Grapevine, the winery is highly awarded and offers a mouth-watering GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) blend and some complex Rieslings.
San Martino Winery and Vineyards
This small, family owned winery just outside Rockwall specializes in handcrafting wines using modern techniques while maintaining the traditional winemaking of northern Spain. Be sure to taste the Mataro, a medium-bodied red with firm, smooth tannins and long, spicy finish.
Sloan & Williams Winery
This Grapevine winery specializes in mouthwatering wines made from California and Texas-grown grapes — areas hand-picked by Sloan & Williams due to their unique soils, climates, topography and geographic locations. Stop by the tasting room in Grapevine to enjoy a glass and even a scoop of wine-infused ice cream.
Times Ten Cellars
With locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, this winery sources grapes from its vineyard in Alpine, Texas. The mineral-rich, rocky, volcanic soil creates the perfect growing conditions for rich, Spanish and Rhone-inspired wines (i.e. Tempranillo, Syrah, Grenache). You can also find wines made with fan-favorite grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux’s ideal blending grape — Cabernet Franc.