By Layla Bellows
Whether you’re a shopper, a sightseer or a music-lover, it’s no secret that you’ll find
plenty to do in
Grapevine, Texas, that doesn’t involve libations. But let’s face it: No trip to a town named Grapevine would be complete without a sip (or two, or three) of wine. Many cities can’t even boast one true winery; this town of 50,000 has
eight.
With the bulk of tasting rooms clustered in the downtown area, Grapevine is to wine-lovers what South Beach is to the party set. Take South Main Street: Here you’ll find
Su Vino Winery,
D’Vine Wine and
Farina’s Winery, all in about four blocks. Each has a unique identity. D’vine, for instance, is known for its varietals created on premise. Farina’s boasts Italian flair and a tasting room distinguished by its 19th-century European bar. Su Vino is a great spot for those new to wine: It’s known for an approachable tasting room and unstuffy education sessions.
Head just about a block off South Main on East Worth Street, and you’ll find the
Homestead Winery Tasting Room, where you can sample Rose of Ivanhoe, a favorite at the city’s annual Grapefest. The cluster is completed a few blocks away at
La Buena Vida Vineyards (bottom right) on East College Street, where Spanish tile fountains and a palatial patio set the perfect stage for an al fresco tasting.
Head slightly off the beaten path to North Main Street to find
Cross Timbers Winery. Here you can enjoy one of the house varietals or try one of the
wines from its sister wineries in Casa Madero, Mexico, or Krems, Austria. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be enjoying it in a quaint Victorian farmhouse, which holds the winery’s tasting room. For a more Napa-like experience, hop in a car and head toward the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to visit
Delaney Vineyards & Winery (top left), where you can see all that goes into a Texas wine — from growing to bottling. If you’re in town in late August, be sure to put Delaney on the itinerary for Aug. 21, when it holds an annual harvest and grape stomp.
And if you somehow managed to skip by all these incredible stops during your stay, never fear: La Buena Vida Vineyards has a sister tasting room,
La Bodega Winery, in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Grapevine really wants to make sure you can’t leave town without trying some Texas wine.
Images courtesy Grapevine, Texas, CVB.