West Texas Wine: Terry County & the Grape Capital of Texas
You have a hankering for an immersive wine experience or even just some “from-the-vine” wine. You might be under the impression that you have to travel to Fredericksburg or even Napa to make it happen. We’ve got news for you, over 80% of the state's wine grapes are just a short 1.5 hours away to Terry County, Texas.
Here’s our guide to discovering some of the state’s best wine without leaving West Texas:
Maybe you already knew this, but typically Hill Country gets the spotlight when you talk about Texas wine - but really, you should be thinking of your neighbors to the north in the Texas High Plains American Viticultural Area (AVA).
In fact, the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association reports that the Texas High Plains and Panhandle Region produce the vast majority of grapes over 8 million acres of land.
But back to Terry County – in 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed a proclamation on June 17th declaring Terry County as the Grape Capital of Texas! At the time of this proclamation, there were 1,500 acres; just a few years later this region has grown to 4,000 acres of grapes. Although the proclamation is not permanent, Terry County will hold this title until 2025.
So what does this mean for you?
As much as we all love Midland, you can make a quick and easy trip to Brownfield to taste some local wine.
Reddy Vineyards
The “Circle” at Reddy Vineyards – 2.1 acre mix of international varietals used for their Field Blend (L) and wine from all tiers of the Reddy Vineyards portfolio (R) Photo source: Reddy Vineyards
Reddy Vineyards was founded in 1997 by Dr. Vijay Reddy, a fifth-generation farmer who came to the U.S. in 1971 to pursue a graduate degree in soil and plant science.
Since 1997, Reddy Vineyards has established over 300 acres of grapes, representing 38 different varietals - making it one of the most diverse vineyards in Texas.
Their flagship wine is the Field Blend, which is exactly that – a blend of Sangiovese, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Petite Sirah, and Carignan which are grown together in a 2.1-acre circular plot, harvested and then co-fermented together.
Reddy Vineyards is preparing to open its first tasting room this Fall in Plano. Tours and tastings are also available at their Brownfield-based winery by appointment Monday - Friday between 11-4 PM.
Location:
2149 Tahoka Road US-380
Brownfield, TX
Find it locally:
Currently, the closest vendor is Market Street in Odessa (42nd St) for local purchase.
Farmhouse Vineyards -Whitehouse Parker
At Farmhouse Vineyards, you’ll feel at home right away. The tasting room is literally inside a farmhouse that overlooks some of their vines. The Seatons and Furgesons, owners of Farmhouse Vineyards, are a brother-sister combo comprised of 8 generations currently farming 7,000 acres of cotton, peanuts, melons, various grains, and vineyards. Farmhouse Vineyards proudly grows grapes for some of the largest wineries in the state, mostly boutique. They sell 95% of their fruit and keep only 5% for the Farmhouse Vineyard collection; their client list houses the Top 20 Wineries in Texas.
If you want to sample their collection, you can visit the tasting room in Brownfield Thursday, Friday, or Saturday from 12-7 PM. Farmhouse Vineyards offers 3 tasting flights at the Whitehouse Parker location ranging from $15-30, which pair perfectly with the house paninis.
Farmhouse Vineyards operates a second tasting room in Johnson City if you find yourself in Hill Country, located at 402 East Main Street Johnson City, Texas - just off 290 wine road. This location is open Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from 12-5 PM and Friday, and Saturday from 12-6 PM.
Location:
702 Old Lamesa Road
Brownfield, Texas
Find it locally:
Farmhouse Vineyards occasionally attends the Midland Downtown Farmers Market on June 12th, so if you don’t want to travel, you can catch them in town that Saturday! Or keep your eyes out for their name on the vendor list!
Narra Vineyards/Antima Cellars
A 5th generation farmer, Nikhila Narra Davis founded Narra Vineyards and planted 20 acres of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Albariño, Rousanne, and Sauvignon Blanc in 2014. The following year, 117 acres were planted with varietals such as Teroldego, Carmenere, Sagrantino, Malvasia Bianca, Petit Verdot, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, and Tannat.
Grapes grown from Narra Vineyards are processed for the Antima Cellars label, which prides itself on being 100% Texas, estate-grown grapes.
You can visit Narra Vineyards/Antima Cellars by appointment only Wednesday through Sunday from 11-7 PM, based on availability.
Grapes grown at Narra Vineyards are also featured in Kalasi Cellars’ wine collection in Fredericksburg, a more recent venture by Nikhila Narra Davis and her husband Greg Davis. This location is at 414 Goehmann Lane Fredericksburg, Texas and is open Thursday – Monday 11-5 PM, although reservations are highly recommended.
Location:
1756 FM 403
Brownfield, TX
You May Also Like - Top 5 Wine Destinations in Midland
Triple D Winery & Restaurant
The Triple D (short for Diamanté Doble Dos) is Terry County’s first Winery & Restaurant that showcases its very own label. Triple D is owned by a husband-wife team, Mary and Ty Wilmeth, since 2015. Currently, they grow around 60 acres of grapes, much of which gets contracted to Hill Country winemakers; the portion not contracted is used for their Triple D label, which is quickly expanding. The Dolcetto, Cabernet Sauvignon, and both Ty and Mary’s Viogner are the most popular in their collection.
Also sold at this location is a wine produced from a joint venture with another husband-wife team, Kevin and Michelle Hart.
Together, the Wilmeths and Harts grow 220 acres of grapes used for the Wilmeth Hart wine label.
Triple D Winery & Restaurant is open Monday-Friday for lunch between 11-2 PM, Thursday for Wine Night 5-7 PM, and Friday (often with live music) 6-9 PM. You can also schedule private appointments.
Their Dolcetto also resides in Fredericksburg at Perspective Cellars – a unique location where you can sample and learn about wine with a sommelier, located at 247 E Main Street.
Location:
Phillips Vineyard
Phillips Vineyard is operated by Tony and Madonna Phillips, a third-generation cotton farming couple in Brownfield. Phillips Vineyard has grown quite rapidly since 2015 to over 30 acres of wine grapes. Currently, they grow Graciano, Chenin Blanc, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Touriga Nacional, Muscat Blanc, Roussanne, and Cinsault.
Although they do not produce under their own label, the Phillips are proud of the grapes they grow for Hill Country winemakers, resulting in wine honoring their name, such as the 2017 Phillips Vineyard Sangiovese from William Chris Vineyards and the 2018 Phillips Vineyard Touriga Nacional from Lewis Wines.
The Phillips have also been working with Rae Wilson, owner of Wine for the People, since 2017; their Cinsault is in her flagship wine, the Dandy Rosé, and the Philips will also produce grapes for Wilson’s upcoming label, “La Valentina”.
Also be sure to look for the Phillips’ name on wines from Stoneledge Winery & Vineyard, Kuhlman Cellars, and Wedding Oak.
Location:
How to find these wines locally
If you’d like to enjoy some Terry County wine in the comfort of your own home, you can order directly from these wineries as linked above or catch them follow them on social to see when they might be heading to town.
Save the Date: 9th Grape Capital of Texas Vineyard Festival (July 30th & 31st, 2021)
Be sure to mark your calendar for July 30th & 31st, 2021, and get tickets here! This is the date for the 9th Grape Capital of Texas Vineyard Festival to be held at Reddy Vineyard in Brownfield. Friday evening will feature a food and wine event not to be missed!
So next time you buy a bottle of wine, be sure to look for High Plains AVA listed on the bottle to support some of your local grape growers; many of these people are farming family land that has been part of their heritage for generations.
Or even better, take a drive to Brownfield to see for yourself! Also, take a look at our post on the top 5 wine destinations in Midland, TX.
Christy Curran
Christy is a recent transplant to Midland, having spent the majority of her adult life in a small city in Northern Alberta. Since the move, she has fallen in love with the landscape (and warm weather!) in Texas. As a result, she dove into the blogging world, hoping to inspire others interested in Texas food, beverage, travel, and experiences under the name "Living for Three". She is passionate about supporting local businesses and sharing their unique stories. Apart from travelling and culinary indulgences, she loves to be outside with her family and focus on her newfound love of golf. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @living.for.three or via her blog at www.livingforthree.com.