Piney Woods
These diverse wineries reflect the lush tapestry of East Texas. Its red dirt roads, its pine forests, its people. Muscadine and fruit wines are a tradition here. And porches for sittin’ and sippin’.
More online at pineywoodswinetrail.com
On the Trail
1 Bella Stella Winery
In their quaint farmhouse bistro and tasting room, Peter and Rebecca Thieme serve homemade German specialties, jägerschnitzel and apfelstrudel with warm vanilla pudding, with chilled glasses of their hand-crafted wine–four varieties of sweet to semi-sweet Muscadine (from grapes grown on site) and one blueberry wine–Bella Blue.
879 CR 4440, Winnsboro
Thur 5-7pm, Fri-Sat 5-9 pm – 903-975-0020
2 Briar Creek Vineyards
Charming winery south of Tyler. Owned by Don and Donna Freeman. Farmhouse-style tasting room decorated with East Texas memorabilia and wild flowers. Side porch overlooks pond and 2.5-acre vineyard growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel. For summer picnics, try their whimsical Syrahdipity (TexSom bronze).
10488 CR 2180, Whitehouse
Sat 2-6 pm – 903-530-0286
3 Della Terra Farm
Meandering roads lead to the David and Deborah Walker’s farm (eggs for sale) and vineyard (Blanc du Bois and Lenoir). Sample four wines in barn tasting room. Each Saturday, Deborah serves soups, paninis and garden-inspired offerings. Tour the vines with Sally the beagle and a glass of Blanc de la Vigne.
2530 RS County Road 3425, Brashear
Sat 1-6 pm – 903-335-6600
4 Dixie Wine Company
It’s easy to breeze past this tinroofed tasting room where Jerry and Patricia Collins serve up varieties of house-made Muscadine wine along with Tempranillo and fruit wines at the unique, rustic bar. Best-selling Muscadine: Love Potion #9, Jerry’s secret blend. On label: ‘69 red Dodge Charger from Dukes of Hazard.
47549 US Hwy 69N, Mt. Selman
Thur – Sat 11 am – 7pm – 903-894-4129
5 Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery
Gorgeous 90-acre hilltop estate with winery, tasting room (casual dining), lodge restaurant (fine dining) and event center. Founded by Altus Koegelenberg and Jon Kral. Twelveacre vineyard growing Lenoir, Blanc du Bois, Cynthiana and more. Stunning views from covered decks. Weekend music. Signature white: three styles of Blanc du Bois.
870 Ferguson Road (CR4312), Harleton
Tasting Room: Wed, Thur, Sun Noon – 6 pm, Fri-Sat Noon -10 pm
Restaurant: Fri-Sat 5-10 pm – 903-240-1587
6 Granny Muffin Wines
Mike and April Johnston (aka Granny Muffin) sell supplies for making wine, beer and cider from groundfloor store in historic building. In upstairs tasting room, selection of house-made wines served from an old-timey bar surrounded by art and antiques. Nearby, Eilenberger’s Bakery and The Redlands Historic Inn.
301 W Oak St., Palestine
Tues-Fri 10 am -5 pm, Sat 10am-4 pm – 903-729-1940
7 Kiepersol Vineyards & Winery
Premier winery with 63-acre vineyard, producing Old World-style wines from 100% estate grapes. Tasting room/ veranda with sweeping vineyard view. Luxury B&B and upscale restaurant/bar. Founded by Texas wine pioneer Pierre de Wet in 1998, now led by daughters Marnelle Durrett and Velmay Power. Winemakers Durrett and Michael McLendon continue to impress with numerous awards.
4120 FM 344 E, Tyler
Winery: Tue-Sat 11am-7 pm
Kiepersol Restaurant: Tue-Fri 11 am – 9 pm, Sat 7 am – 9 pm – 903-894-8995
8 Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
Tuscan-style destination winery with Texas charm. Deck has fire pit and vineyard views. 200-seat restaurant features Mediterranean tapas, wood-fired pizzas and weekend specials from Chef Enam Chowdhury. Live music and events. Overnight cottages. Vineyards on estate and in High Plains. Numerous international award winners from winemaker Arnulfo Perez.
658 CR 1334, Pittsburg
Thur 5- 9 pm, Fri-Sat Noon-11 pm, Sun Noon-6 pm – 903-855-1769
9 M6 Winery
Laid-back tasting room and gift shop on Main Street of Bullard, near Tyler. Owned by affable hosts Joe and Anne Moody. Most signature wines from Texas grapes. Umbrella-covered picnic tables in large side yard with plenty of outdoor seating. Live music. When summer sizzles, uncork their Tyler Rose rosé.
201 W Main St., Bullard
Saturday 1- 6:30 pm – 903-360-0369
10 Maydelle Country Wines
Steven and Cheryl Harper’s winery in the pines produces fruit wines–elderberry, blackberry, lemon, lime. Gabled-roof production house next to tracks of the historic Texas State Railroad. A family affair which includes LaMancha goat Cherish, the official greeter. Sweet dreams: Maydelle peach over Blue Bell vanilla.
175 CR 2108, Rusk
Tues-Sat 10 am – 4 pm – 903-795-3915
11 Naca Valley Vineyard
The Mouton family’s new Naca Valley Vineyard, six miles from downtown Nacogdoches, is surrounded by pines, honeysuckle, purple wisteria and wild Muscadine. Modern tasting room, with eight wines, has vintage touches, including reclaimed wood bar. From expansive porch, sip their Southern Belle (100% Texas grapes) and watch ducks fly over vineyard to Pete’s pond.
9897 FM 1878, Nacogdoches
Sat 10am – 6 pm – 936-615-6432
12 O’Farrell Country Vineyards
Family vineyard and you-pick-it operation growing 14 varieties of Muscadine. Benny and Judy Moore with Lisse, Lyle and Kate McBride make seven Muscadine and four fruit wines. Served in barn with 100-year-old family connections. Sip a glass of Moonglow on wrap-around porch. Visit in September and pick-your-own for snacks, jam, pies.
7152 FM 995, Atlanta
Fri – Sat Noon – 7 pm – 903-846-2054
13 Pelle Legna
On the ranch Dawn Leatherwood shares with husband Harry, her decade-old vineyard thrives with 14 varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. She began making wine in 2014, and last summer Texas Monthly named Pelle Legna’s 2011 Essenza, a Rhone-style blend, one of its Top Summer Wines. Order it in Dallas at Stephan Pyles’ Stampede 66.
18655 CR 418, Tyler
Vineyard tours by appointment – 903-521-6266
14 Red 55 Winery/Pink Pistol
Country singer Miranda Lambert’s Pink Pistol boutique has a separate tasting room for her signature Red 55 wines. The large Hemingway tasting room is decorated in honor of her dad Rick’s favorite author. Located in a new shopping development, The Cannery, along with Love and War, a Texas food and music venue.
114 E North St., Lindale
Mon-Sat 10 am – 6 pm, Sun noon – 6 pm – 903-882-9305
15 Red Road Vineyard and Winery
Owner Merrill Grove transformed an 1890s ice house into a cozy vintage style winery. Just off I-30 and Hwy 67. His 11-acre vineyard, with Seyval Blanc, Blanc du Bois, Lenoir, Cynthiana and Muscadine, is located nearby. Gaelic-named wines honor his Scottish ancestry. Summer suggestion: Fion, a dry Blanc du Bois.
105 W Front St., Naples
Sat Noon-6 pm – 903-897-9353
16 Texas Vineyard & Smokehaus
Delightful 79-year-old Rafael Hernandez had a military career and another with the Houston Police Department before opening his country winery in 2008. Tasting room with front porch offers 18 Texas wines from grapes grown onsite and off. Pair Rafael’s popular red sangria with meats from his grill.
2442 AN CR 2133, Palestine
Wed-Sun Noon – 7pm – 903-538-2950
17 Valle della Pace
Chemist-turned-winemaker Dr. Donald Clark and wife Andrea grow Blanc du Bois, Muscat Blanc, Sangiovese, Shiraz and Ruby Cabernet at their family winery, 3.5 miles off I-20. There’s a small tasting room with plans to expand. They’re open four days a week but will give tours anytime, if you call ahead. Turning heads: Blondie (Blanc du Bois).
17840 State Hwy 110 N Garden Valley
Wed-Fri 10 am – 6 pm, Sat 10am – 9 pm – 903-730-6721
18 White Fox Vineyards
Boutique winery on 330 acres owned by Fear brothers, Daniel and Bryan, and their wives, Sarah and Megan. Four small-batch wines crafted from estate-grown Muscadines and a fifth from East Texas blueberries. Tasting room with pine beams and whimsical art. Live music plus amusing vineyard donkeys: Jack and Willie.
14491 FM 773, Murchison
Saturday Noon – 9 pm – 903-469-3702
Off the Official Trail
19 3 P’s in a Vine Winery and Vineyard
Attractive tasting room in modern log cabin with stone fireplace and terrace. Outside, umbrella-covered tables, firepit and view of Blanc du Bois vines. Owners Brett and Rae Priestley offer a varied selection of eight wines from 100% Texas grapes, like their signature Tempranillo Reserve. Taste five for $10.
955 Douglas Road, Athens
Fri 5-10 pm, Sat Noon -10 pm, Sun 1- 6 pm – 903-677-9463
20 Angelita Vineyard and Winery
Off I-45, Navarro County’s first winery. Beverly and Rodney Spahn grow Blanc du Bois and Ruby Cabernet grapes with Rodney’s 79-year-old dad. Vineyard name honors Rodney’s mom. Tasting room offers seven wines. Sip estate-made sangria and watch Egyptian Arabian horses at play as sun sets over vineyard.
254 Shady Creek Lane, Angus (Corsicana)
Thur and Sun Noon – 6 pm, Fri -Sat Noon – Sunset – 903-875-0036
21 Castle Oaks Vineyard and Winery
Henderson County’s second oldest tasting room and vineyard (Black Spanish); near three other wineries. Roger and Benita Littleton designed their facilities with castle-style flourishes including a courtyard for sipping and live music. Their 100% Texas wines are bottled offsite, but there’s room for expansion. Pizza oven coming soon.
10367 CR 3909, Athens
Sat 1-9 pm – 903-677-3776
22 Grand Oaks Vineyards and Winery
Hillside winery in forest of pines and oaks owned by Carroll (winemaker) and Martha McHenry. Overlooking Mineola Nature Preserve with walking, biking, riding trails. Bring picnic lunch and enjoy spectacular sunset from tasting room porch. Blended wines primarily from Texas grapes. Summer white: Laurena Blanc, from estate-grown Chenin Blanc.
2455 CR 2724, Mineola
Thur – Sat 11 am – 6pm – 903-569-2801
23 Tara Vineyard and Winery
The stately Tara Inn overlooks five acres of Blanc du Bois, Lenoir and Merlot. Patrick and Susan Pierce’s winery, one of few with overnight accommodations, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Tasting room with patio. Cellar Door Restaurant managed by Chef Becklien James. Summer red pick: Sweet Dolcetto.
8603 CR 3914, Athens
Wed-Thur Noon – 8pm, Fri-Sat Noon – 9:30 pm, Sun Noon- 6:15 pm – 903-675-7023
