Rancho Loma Vineyards Unveils Stunning Fort Worth Tasting Room

Rancho Loma Vineyards (RLV) recently opened a new tasting room in Fort Worth’s Near Southside called Rancho Loma Vineyards – Fort Worth, and Texas Wine Lover was on hand to toast at the grand opening. Near Southside is a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhood that includes shopping, dining, and many bars and restaurants. Just south of downtown, this area is an urban hot spot for distilleries and breweries as well. The Rancho Loma Vineyards tasting room adds a much-needed destination for discovering award-winning Texas wine.

The Rancho Loma Vineyards tasting room is in the 4 Eleven building, a venue that hosts weddings, photo shoots, and other special events. The entrance to the tasting room is down a short pathway off Main Street. Added lighting is coming soon, and that should help direct guests toward the patio. Or you may be able to follow the sounds of music and laughter. I predict that both will soon fill RLV’s large, comfortable outdoor space. As you enter, a large bar runs along the back wall, and a stage for live music hints at what’s to come. Although opening weekend was a bit chilly, patio heaters warmed the space nicely.

I enjoyed taking with Dr. Ed Brandecker about his desire to expand the visibility of the RLV brand beyond its roots in Coleman, Texas. It was just three years ago that Texas Wine Lover wrote about RLV opening its tasting room in Coleman. The two tastings rooms share a modern style that is sure to be a hit in Fort Worth.

Above the large bar that anchors the indoor tasting space, curved wooden slats on the ceiling give the impression that you are inside of a barrel. Black and white photographs and modern light fixtures complete the modern yet warm vibe. The spacious indoor area is 2,200 square feet, and the patio is also a roomy 1,200 square feet. The materials and attention to detail are all first class. From the Instagram-ready RLV LOVE painted wall to the subtle etching on the tables, RLV has created a stylish spot for wine lovers to gather.

An enthusiastic crowd of family and friends came to celebrate the much-awaited grand opening. For the event, glasses of RLV’s wines had been pre-poured, and tent cards described the wines. Behind the bar, a display shelf held the many awards that RLV wines have received. A large spread of hors d’oeuvres was laid out in the dining room, and the selections paired nicely with the wines.

RLV’s owners and staff mingled with guests, telling stories about the renovation of the building. Spotted at the event were Reddy Vineyards’ COO Eric Sigmund, Reddy Vineyards’ Akhil Reddy, and RNDC’s (Republic National Distributing Company) Jason Hisaw with his wife Ariana.

“Rancho Loma Vineyards is excited to be part of this vibrant area of Fort Worth,” said Tom Munson, managing partner for RLV. “Our vision is to complement our neighboring businesses and offer afternoons and evenings of enjoyment, warm hospitality and, of course, RLV wines.”

The tasting room is open Tuesday-Sunday with late night hours most nights. Food offerings include gourmet charcuterie and cheese featuring Texas-made products. These include olive oil from Cordells in Abilene, Perini Ranch mesquite-smoked peppered tenderloin from Buffalo Gap, and Velduizen Texas Farmstead cheese from Dublin. If you need more substantial fare, Fort Worth favorites Black Cat Pizza, Hot Box Biscuit Club, Coco Shrimp Restaurant, and half a dozen other choices are steps away.

Before leaving to walk to a dinner spot nearby, I checked out LTO, a lovely home and clothing shop that opens up onto RLV’s patio. Don’t miss it! Depending on whether you visit during the day or in the evening, you can schedule live music, shopping, dining, or perhaps a bit of each.

In the first major event of the spring, RLV will host a Cinco de Mayo event on May 9 from 1-3 p.m. for wine club members. Follow Rancho Loma Vineyard – Fort Worth on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news and events.