Briar Creek Vineyards is a quaint winery located on an East Texas backcountry road. It is located south of Tyler off FM 344 between Bullard and Whitehouse.
It had been a while since my wife and I had last visited Briar Creek Vineyards so we decided to make the short trip from our home at Kiepersol Estates and enjoy a tasting and a glass of wine. As we made our way through the winding hills and heavily wooded countryside, we realized just how fitting it is for Briar Creek to be members of the Piney Woods Wine Trail.
Briar Creek Vineyards came into being because of a true delight in the romance of wine and the love of all things Texas. After medical school, Don and Donna Freeman moved their roots in Texas to California for medical training at the Naval Hospital near Napa Valley. They fell in love with the process of winemaking—from growing seasons to harvest, to processing grapes into wine and, of course, tasting the nuances of all flavors in grapes. After Don’s medical training, they returned to Texas in 1983. They established their home, medical practice, and according to Donna, “have been the benefactors of God’s grace and blessings in the Lone Star State.”
Still enamored with the romance of wine and the beautiful East Texas countryside, in 2006 they moved from “the city” to “country life.” They built their home on 56 acres on a piece of property with a branch of Briar Creek running through it—thus Briar Creek Vineyards. In 2007, they planted three acres of Vitis vinifera grapes (Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, and Sangiovese). Their tasting room opened in 2012.
Upon our arrival, it was immediately obvious that recent changes had been made. Entering the winery, we were greeted by Donna in the newly expanded tasting room. Donna excitedly explained that the addition gives them more seating space and the ability to host small events. We were led to the back of the tasting room to a door that exited onto a new patio that overlooks a beautiful three-acre lake and the vineyard.
The wines available on this day included:
Dry Reds
- Texas Two Step – Cabernet and Merlot Blend (Texas)
- Trio – Sangiovese, Syrah, and Grenache Blend (Texas)
- Syrahndipity – Cabernet and Syrah Blend (Texas)
Rose’ and Chardonnay
- Dry Rosé – Merlot (California)
- Chardonnay – Chardonnay blended with Viognier (California)
Sweet Wines
- Sweet Briar Red – Red Blend (Texas)
- Sweet Briar Rosé – Zinfandel (California)
- Sweet Briar Blanc – Muscat (California)
There is a fee for tastings, and you get to choose four from the list of available wines. We chose the dry reds and the dry rosé. We also purchased the Texas Two Step and Trio to take home and enjoyed a glass of Trio with a charcuterie board. Tours are also available at the winery.
Donna explained that changes have also been made to their vineyard. The historical freezing event in February 2021 caused very significant damage to the vineyard. As a result, they are in the process of replacing the original vines planted in 2007 with new grape varieties recently released at UC Davis that include:
- Camminare Noir (characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Syrah)
- Paseante Noir (similar to Zinfandel)
- Errante Noir (similar to Cabernet)
Don and Donna Freeman
It was obvious during our conversation with Donna that the challenges facing Texas farmers has made the Freeman family stronger and even more dedicated, thanks in no small part to the many blessings of God and nature. Briar Creek Vineyards invites you to come and visit and experience their Texas version of winemaking. They are certain you will discover why they have found this way of life so enchanting.
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