Dallas Town & Country
An easy trek for day trippers, just beyond suburbia’s northern reaches. In Historic Downtown McKinney, shop for picnic goodies at Patina Green or at the Chestnut Square farmers market. More online at dallastownandcountrywinetrail.com
On The Trail
1 Carmela Winery
Blacksmith shop turned wine cellar. Unique European and California imports. Proprietor Joe Anselmo, who also blends his own, has a story for every bottle. Establishment named for Sicilian-born family matriarch. Corrugated steel structure with comfy décor–oversized leather chairs, barrel tables and centerpiece stone fireplace. Ask Joe about his latest finds.
132 N Louisiana Drive, Celina
Wed -Thur 1-7 pm, Fri 1- 8 pm, Sat 1-8 pm 844-227-9463
2 Caudalie Crest Winery
Relaxed backyard sipping with British ex-pats Ray and Sue Verrill. Award-winners, like Tempranillo- Aglianico blend crafted from 100% Texas grapes. Cozy tasting room spills onto large patio with vineyard views. Nearby, family’s Dwarf Nigerian dairy goats are guarded by George and Ringo, affable Great Pyrenees. A summer quencher: Snow on the Prairie.
2045 Weston Road, Celina
Sat – Sun 1-6 pm 214-578-6390
3 Eden Hill Vineyards
Lauded winery, working farm. Peaceful setting with gazebo and pond. Tasting room offers English tea room ambiance. The Hornbakers – Clark, Linda and winemaker son Chris–use collected rainwater and all Texas grapes. When available, eggs from henhouse, vegetables from Master Gardener Linda’s seasonal plot. Patio pick: 2015 Albariño-Viognier (SF International Wine Competition gold).
4910 Eden Hill Lane, Celina
Thur- Sun 1-6 pm 214-850-4081
4 Fortunata
New Tuscan-inspired retreat with gardens, tasting room and small event space. Six chic bungalows for weekend stays. Owned by Dr. Kelby and Shari Trusty and their son Jon Marc. Cabernet vineyard planted, but for now wines from California grapes. Offering Neapolitan-style pizzas plus cheeseboards with homemade bread.
2297 FM 2931, Aubrey
Thur-Fri 5-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm 940-440-9463
5 Grayson Hills Winery
Oldest estate vineyard in Grayson County. Owned by Rick and Connie Magers, winery housed in picturesque red barn on 38 acres of wooded hills. Tasting deck overlooks rows of Cabernet Sauvignon. Also growing Cab Franc and Traminette. Wines from Texas grapes. Picnickers, vineyard strollers welcome. Connie’s picnic picks: Barn Red or Texas Twilight.
2815 Ball Road, Whitewright
Sat-Sun 1- 6 pm 903-627-0832
6 Landon Winery McKinney
Popular McKinney tasting room with covered patio on lively square. Outpost of Greenville winery with third location in Wylie. Extensive wine selection from both Texas and Napa grapes. For summer, owner and long-time winemaker Bob Landon suggests Yellow Rose, their sweet Blanc du Bois.
101 N Kentucky St., McKinney
Mon -Thur 11am- 9 pm Fri 11 am- 11 pm, Sat 10 am -11 pm, Sun Noon – 9 pm 972-542-3030
7 L one Star Wine Cellars
The “Cheers” wine bar of downtown McKinney. Ronald and Deanna Ross’ tasting room is tucked into historic Ritz Theatre building. Music: Thursdays through Sundays. Winery located on their 100-acre Triple “R” Ranch near the Red River. Wines from West Coast and Texas grapes with names, like Great Blue Heron Gewurztraminer, honoring ranch wildlife.
Ritz Theatre, McKinney
Tue -Thur 2- 9 pm, Fri 2-11 pm Sat 11 am-11 pm, Sun 2-7 pm 972-547-9463
Off the Official Trail
8 Checkered Past Winery
Primarily a wine pub, with sights set on first winery in The Cedars. Owners Carolynne Chancellor and Sandro DiSanto worked at Tara Winery in East Texas, where they currently produce some of their wines. Taste popular Texas Malbec and Tempranillo and sample more than a dozen other Texas producers, Wedding Oak to McPherson.
1409 S Lamar St. (South Side), Dallas
Tue -Thur Noon -10 pm, Fri Noon-Midnight, Sat Noon-1 am, Sun 3 -10 pm 214-242-0411
9 Homestead Vineyard & Winery at Ivanhoe
Tasting rooms in Ivanhoe and Denison for historic Texas winery. Ivanhoe’s in the house owner Gabe Parker’s grandfather built on the 100-year-old Parker farm. Chris McRoberts oversees the winemaking, which includes custom-blending for several Texas wineries. Most grapes come from the High Plains and 8-acre Ivanhoe estate vineyard. Wife Barb is co-owner. Denison also houses Ivanhoe Aleworks craft beer.
Parker House, 3885 N CR 273, Ivanhoe
Fri 3- 8 pm, Sat 1- 8 pm 903-583-4281
10 Homestead Winery at Denison
220 W Main St., Denison
Sun-Tue 1-6 pm, Wed -Fri Noon- 9 pm, Sat 11 am- 9 pm 903-464-0030
11 Inwood Estates Vineyards
Pioneering Dallas winemaker Dan Gatlin (among the first to bet on Tempranillo in Texas) has moved production south to Fredericksburg, concentrating on more high-end Texas wines. Dallas facility, finishing up a remodel, still serves as tasting room and urban-eclectic wine-club hangout. Dan still works the original Inwood Road vineyard.
1350 Manufacturing St. #209, Dallas
Fri 4- 6 pm, Sat Noon- 5 pm 214-902-9452
12 Landon Winery & Bistro
Greenville location in historic Kress building. Home to production facilities, tasting room, bistro and gift shop. Tours, with barrel tasting and blending, Saturdays at 2 p.m. ($25 per person). Bistro open daily for lunch and dinner, Sunday Brunch. Nice wine selection from Texas and Napa grapes. New tasting room in Wylie.
2508 Lee St., Greenville
Mon-Thur 11am- 9 pm, Fri 11 am- 11pm, Sat 10 am -11 pm, Sun Noon- 9 pm 903-454-7878
13 Landon Winery Wylie
103 N Ballard, Wylie
Mon-Thurs 11am-9 pm, Fri 11 am- 11pm, Sat 10 am -11 pm, Sun Noon- 9 pm 972-442-0155
14 Mitas Hill
Mitas family estate, just north of downtown McKinney, has expansive 15-acre vineyard, winery and event venue. Tempranillo is signature grape. Also growing Syrah, Blanc du Bois, Cabernet Sauvignon and others. Wood-fired pizzas served on hillside patio overlooking vineyards. Easy to imagine you’re in Napa.
2300 Vineyard Hill Lane, McKinney
Fri -Sat Noon- 9 pm, Sun Noon – 7 pm 972-316-7991
15 San Martiño Winery and Vineyards
The family’s Spanish winemaking roots show in architecture as well as winemaking. All Texas grapes, starting with their Plains vineyard. Many award-winners, including Albariño, estate-grown Blanc du Bois and Tempranillo (20-plus-yearold vines), Cabernet Sauvignon, Aglianico. Lush grounds open for picnics (but you buy a wine and other beverages onsite).
12512 State Hwy 205, Lavon
Thur – Sat 1- 9 pm, Sun 1-6 pm 972-772-6043
16 Sugar Ridge Winery Sanger
212 Bolivar St., Sanger
Thur 3- 8 pm, Fri Noon – 8 pm, Sat Noon- 9 pm, Sun 12:30 -5 pm 940-458-3588
17 Sugar Ridge Winery Ennis
Don and Michelle Andrews specialize in fruit-flavored and sweet wines, but also make a variety of dry. Most of their grapes come from Pennsylvania, New York and Canada. Their best seller is Mora Negra, Merlot blended with blackberry.
353 Sugar Ridge Road, Ennis
Fri Noon- 7 pm, Sat 10 am- 7 pm, Sun Noon-5pm 972-666-2888
18 Times Ten Cellars
Urban winery with comfy patio and tasting room. Production has moved to Fort Worth location. Owns high desert Cathedral Mountain vineyard near Alpine. Additional Texas wines, notably McPherson Cellars and Lost Oak Winery. Small plates, salads and sweets. Nightly specials, jazz to Tarot readings.
6324 Prospect Ave., Dallas
Mon 5-10 pm, Tue-Thur 1-11 pm, Fri- Sat 1 pm-Midnight, Sun 3-9 pm 214-824-9463
