Cross Timbers & Red River
This trail is a loose-knit group of wineries in the verdant Cross Timbers region. Events consist of self-directed tasting forays. More online at crosstimberswinetrail.com
On the Trail
1 Brushy Creek Vineyards and Winery
Pioneering Cross Timbers region winery started by Ann and Les Constable in 1991. Folksy tasting room with breezy porch. Texas grapes exclusively. 10-acre estate vineyard boasts some of the oldest, gnarliest vines in Texas. Among awards: 2015 Semillon with Cox Family Vineyards grapes (Double gold, SF International Wine Competition).
572 CR 2798, Alvord
Daily 10 am – 6 pm 940-427-4747
2 LightCatcher Winery and Bistro
Co-owner-winemaker Caris Turpen is transitioning to art, so she and co-owner Terry Turpen have put their winery up for sale. Go for dining, jazz Sundays and the wine. Caris’ skills honor Texas grapes, including Blanc du Bois and High Plains Cabernet Sauvignon.
6925 Confederate Park Road, Fort Worth
Tasting: Fri -Sat Noon – 8 pm, Sun Noon -5 pm Light dining: Fri 5 – 8 pm, Sat Noon-8 pm, Sun Noon – 3pm 817-237-2626
3 Lost Oak Winery
Owner-winemaker Gene Estes and winemaker Jim Evans kicked off Texas’ awards streak with double gold at SF Chronicle Wine Competition for their 2010 Texas Viognier (Brennan Vineyards). The once-sleepy winery and 5.5-acre vineyard have ramped up: for events, picnics, nature trails. Winemaking excellence continues. Lost Oak works with neighboring vineyards as well as major Texas growers.
8101 CR 802, Burleson
Wed & Sun Noon – 8 pm, Thur – Sat Noon-9 pm 817-426-6625
4 Sunset Winery
Wines made from Texas grapes, especially venerable High Plains Newsom Vineyard, including some early library wines. Event facilities. Plus “Wine Down” evenings. Winery is in owner-winemaker Bruce Anderson’s former home. Includes a 2-acre vineyard planted in Black Spanish. Check out the deck, inside-outside barrel room. Anderson recommends his port-like “Redhead.”
1535 S Burleson Road, Burleson
Fri – Sun Noon – 7 pm 817-426-1141
5 Silver Dollar Winery
Richard and Melanie Bowen make most of their wine at Landon Winery – for now. Sourcing most grapes from Texas, making sweet and dry wines. Tasting room is rustic chic. Check the corrugated tin bar. Award winner: Peace Maker Reserve Merlot. Top seller: IM’Peached peachflavored wine.
1937 Bedford Road, Bedford
Mon 4 – 9 pm, Tue -Thur Noon- 9 pm, Fri – Sat 11am-11 pm, Sun Noon-6pm 817-358-8830
6 Times Ten Cellars
Fort Worth outpost, now primary production facility for original Dallas urban winery. Winemaker Dustin Walker uses Texas and California grapes. Slick, rustic tasting room features additional Texas wines. Small plates, salads and sweets.
1100 Foch St., Fort Worth
Tue-Thur 1-11 pm, Fri -Sat 1pm-Midnight, Sun 3- 9pm 817-336-9463
The Red River Valley
Although not an official wine trail, the loosely knit Red River Valley cluster brings together three wineries: Arché, Blue Ostrich and 4R .
7 Arché Winery & Vineyard
Howard and Amy Davie own Arché (ar-KHAY). Winemaker: son Grayson. Outstanding wines from North Texas Hill Country microclimate. All estate vineyard (10 acres) Texas grapes. Many award-winners. Beautiful setting and tasting room. Nearby: Ancient Ovens dinners under the stars. Amy’s picks: Chardonnay, Chateau Rouge Rhone blend.
228 Wagner Road, Saint Jo
Thur Noon – 6 pm, Fri – Sat Noon – 7 pm, Sun Noon -5 pm 214-536-6330
8 Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard
Beautiful barnlike winery, pavilion and guest house. Family operation. Julie and winemaker Patrick Whitehead are managing partners. The family used to raise ostriches; hence, the name and remaining pair of quirky birds. Predominantly Texas grapes, with an 8-acre estate vineyard. Texas Viognier and Blanc du Bois are award-winners.
5611 FM 2382, Saint Jo
Thur-Sat Noon – 6 pm, Sun Noon – 5 pm 940 995-3100
9 4R Ranch Vineyards & Winery
Roper family opened in November. Contemporary stone building and patio on breathtaking ridge in the North Texas Hill Country. Several event venues and a guest house. Three-acre estate vineyard planted in 2010. Grapes: half from Texas, half California. Winemaker: Willem Johnson. Walt Roper’s picks: Ranch Red or Viognier.
1473 CR 477, Muenster
Thur – Fri 2 – 8 pm, Sat Noon – 8 pm Sun 1 – 6 pm 940-736-3370
Along U.S. 287
These North Texas wineries, which are considering their own trail, are off U.S. 287 between Decatur and Wichita Falls, straddling the wooded Cross Timbers area and rolling plains.
Brushy Creek Vineyards and Winery (See #1 Cross Timbers Trail)
10 Marker Cellars Family Winery
Winemaker-co-owner Mark Rogers sources most grapes from the Texas High Plains for this tiny winery and tasting room complete with shade-tree swing. Sweet, no-frills country get-away. Wife Becky is co-owner. Onsite 10-yearold vineyard of 500 vines. Pet friendly. Top-seller and award-getter: his Texas Blend, which changes each vintage.
1484 CR 2585, Alvord
Sat-Sun Noon-6 pm 214-632-0383
11 O G Cellars
Newbie 2.7-acre vineyard, just planted this year. Owner-winemaker James Hanger uses all Texas grapes, most from respected Bingham Family Vineyards in the High Plains, including Albariño, Viognier, Tempranillo. Don’t miss the sunset-watching parties at the modern rustic stone outpost at, naturally, Sunset. Wife Sammi is co-owner.
704 CR 1895, Sunset
Fri 2 – 7 pm, Sat 11 am- 7 pm, Sun Noon – 6 pm 940-867-7669
12 Wichita Falls Vineyards & Winery
Alton and Lana Gates are moving soon to Destin, Fla., for health reasons, and their modest winery in a corrugated building with patio is for sale. In the meantime, come visit. Their Wichita Falls label uses primarily Texas grapes. Their Gates Winery label sources vary. Flagship: semi-sweet Wichita Red.
3399 Peterson Road S, Iowa Park
Wed – Sat 1-5 pm 940-855-2093
Facebook: WichitaFallsVineyard&Winery
