http://www.sanmartinowinery.com
San Martiño Winery is located north of Rockwall and is owned by Maria C. Perez and Emilio Ramos. Emilio Ramos is the winemaker. They started making wine in 2003 and the winery opened in 2004.
San Martiño Winery is a little difficult to locate because the online maps are usually wrong and some GPS’s don’t get their address. The best way to find the winery is to read the directions on their website. Fortunately they are aware of the situation and give clear directions to the winery.
The first time we visited the winery was on a Friday night and they close at 9:00pm. We arrived around 8:30pm and were told they were done doing tastings for the evening. They apologized and offered us a glass of wine, but since we didn’t know what we would like, we passed on the offer. The last time I was in the area I made sure I visited during the day.
The winery is a very impressive looking building and has a beautiful tasting room. A vineyard sits in front of the winery.
Since it was early during the day on a Friday, the only one in the winery was Cristina, daughter of Maria Perez and Emilio’s step-daughter. She greeted me and handled my wine tasting. Cristina commented how it was too bad Emilio was not at the winery as he would have been glad to give me a tour. You can arrange for a tour if you make an appointment prior to your visit. For groups of 10 or more, private tastings and a tour of the facilities with the winemaker can be reserved for a fee per person.
Tastings are done while standing at the tasting bar. There is a tasting fee for five Texas wines. The wines are poured from the bottle. San Martiño Winery uses corks but also has some wines with screw caps. Tables inside and outside are available to enjoy a glass of wine.
The winery makes mostly red wines although there are a few white wines. Cristina said the winery uses about 75% Texas grapes and there is no hiding where the grapes come from. For example:
- Paulina’s Vineyards located in Rockwall, Texas provides Blanc du Bois
- Newsom Vineyards in Plains, Texas provides Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Albariño
- Palacios Vineyards in Brenham, Texas is the source for Syrah, Merlot, and French Colombard
- Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc is from small vineyards across Texas
- Stuart Vineyards in Temecula, California is a source for Zinfandel
- Naggiard Vineyards in Grass Valley, California is a source for Petit Verdot, Mourvèdre, and Syrah
- Gunlash Vineyards in Sonoma, California is a source for Petite Sirah
The winery produces about 7,500 cases of wine a year. There is a small gift shop present and a wine club is available.
Music events are held during the week and dinners are held regularly. An event center is available which can be rented for events such as weddings.
San Martiño Winery is on the Munson Wine Trail. I would suggest the next time you are in the Rockwall area to stop by and visit the beautiful facilities and enjoy San Martiño Winery’s Texas wine.
Christina is NOT Emilio Ramos’s daughter. She is Maria Perez’s daughter and is umrelated to Mr. Ramos.
Thanks for the correction. I must have misunderstood her. Update: I just got confirmation from the winery. You are correct about Cristina being Maria’s daughter but she is Emilio’s step-daughter.
I frequent San Martino Winery, as well am I a friend of the family. The winery and its grounds are beautiful, the wine is fantastic & service superb. This website is about wineries and wine, why are their children even being discussed? It is no ones business, but you have introduced there personal matters so I will correct your gossip. Emilio adopted Christina when she was a small child. He loves his girls very much. It’s obvious by your “unrelated” comment you do not know this family nor do you have any concept of what the word father means, regardless… Read more »
I am sorry you do not feel it was relevant that my tasting guide is a family member of the winery instead of a hired employee. To me it gives the winery more of a family feel which is fantastic.
Thanks for putting me down about knowing what father means. Perhaps you should direct your concerns to Ms. Jacome at the winery who gave me the corrected information.
I apologies you felt the comment was directed at your guide. I thought your information was helpful and accurate. I was shocked Mr. Dupree felt the need to correct you and his disregard for the families privacy. My comment was in no way a reflection of your information or comments. Thank you for guide I find it quite helpful actually.