What do you think of when you think of Texas? Most people will think of cowboys, cattle, and tumbleweeds. Yes, those are all found in Texas. Texas is also one of the first wine producing states.
Wine and Texas
Texas ranked #5 for wine production in the United States and #5 in the state with the most wineries. It produces more than one million gallons of wine every year and has over 350 wineries throughout the state – comprising 3% of the wine production in the US. (Wines and Vines and Texas Wine Association)
There are eight wine regions in Texas – Texas High Plains, Texas Hill Country, Bell Mountain, Fredericksburg, Escondido Valley, Mesilla Valley, Texas Davis Mountains, and Texoma.
The Texoma wine region consists of nearly 3,650 square miles along the Texas/Oklahoma border. Wineries in the Texoma region produce a broad range of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and Viognier.
North Texas Wine Worth Trying
Marker Cellars
Located just nine miles North of Decatur in Alvord on CR 2585 is family owned Marker Cellars, producing wine since 2000. The winery is an Eco-friendly family farm surrounded by LBJ grasslands and supports the reintroduction of quail and dove back into the National Forest system.
They produce Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Sweet White, Texas Bluestem Blush, Merlot, Red Blend, Zinfandel, Syrah, Sweet Red, and a Muscat.
Set in the natural beauty of grassland and forest Marker Cellars has a picturesque pond view. Relax and take in the calming beauty as you sample a glass from their tasting room. Open on weekends and by appointment – call 214-632-0383 or email mark.rogers@markercellars.com for more information.
Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard
Located an hour North of Dallas in Saint Jo, as the name suggests, was an ostrich breeding and ranching facility. In the 80’s and 90’s hundreds of ostrich roamed the hillside that now nurtures Tempranillo, Viognier, and Cabernet grapevines.
Blue Ostrich creates reds, whites, and blush varieties, including Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Tempranillo, and Bordeaux style blends. My favorite was the award-winning sweet red blend, Cielo (see-el-oh).
Stop in and try some for yourself. The Tasting Room is open Thursday 12-6 PM, Friday and Saturday 12-7 PM, and Sunday 12-5 PM. Contact Blue Ostrich Winery at 940-995-3100 or email at info@blueostrich.net
Cross Timbers Winery
Located on Main St in Grapevine, Cross Timbers Winery can be found in one of the oldest structures in the town, the Historic Brock Family farmhouse. The winery boasts a reconstructed 4,000 square foot barn that is the perfect venue for private events.
Cross Timbers’ tasting room offers blends available to taste by the glass or by the bottle. They also offer wine education and a souvenir glass with some of their tastings.
Wines to taste include Malbec, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Blush, and even a cold sparkling wine. My favorite was the Cross Timbers Viv Mi Amor Blush. A Chenin Blanc, Muscat, Viognier, and Cabernet blend with tropical fruit, citrus spice, and Granny Smith apple flavors and aroma.
Contact Cross Timbers Winery at 817-488-6789 for tasting room hours and private event booking.
Have you tried other Texas vineyards? I would love your feedback and hear about your favorite winery.
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