Walkers Mill Vineyard & Winery is the realization of a dream by owners Art and Adriana Strahan. Adriana met Art in Brazil where she was assigned as his interpreter while he was doing mission work. Life events took them separate ways for 13 years. However, years later, life made their paths cross again. Adriana moved to Texas and, often, the couple picked muscadine grapes that grew wild on their ranch, not realizing that these grapes would eventually lead to the establishment of one of East Texas’ great wineries.
Adriana told us, “While picking the wild muscadine grapes, I was talking to God trying to find my purpose. I looked down at the muscadines in my hand and realized that the grapes grown on my property were the answer.”
Muscadine grapes
Art and Adriana then began to transform their 95-acre Lane Ranch and rolling wooded land in the heart of East Texas. It was obvious when my wife and I arrived that this transformation was being slowly and carefully developed with the couple’s signature “Love and Grace.”
The main house was built in the style of a Louisiana plantation with a traditional wrap-around porch. As a retirement plan, Art and Adriana started developing their property and it quickly began to transform the house and surroundings into an even grander memory-making place.
In 2015, the Strahan’s oldest daughter expressed the desire to get married under the branches of the “Oak Tree” and have the reception in “the barn,” which at the time was just a drawing. In 2016 the dream started becoming reality. The first muscadine vines were planted and, like the vines that elegantly trail and climb in growth, Walkers Mill Vineyard & Winery has grown from a dream to reality. Shortly after planting the vines the family started the business and began welcoming others to share in The Mill’s natural beauty.
The seven-acre muscadine vineyard is currently being expanded with plans to double in size. The grapes are used to make the Estate Muscadine wines and during harvest they offer a “Pick Your Own Muscadines” opportunity.
Shortly before our visit, a beautiful new tasting room started operating which added to the charm and magic of this special place. Walkers Mill is also currently remodeling the original main house into an Inn type of accommodation making for a great winery getaway.
Enough cannot be said to describe the beauty of “The Mill Barn” which is used to host events. It was constructed with Natural Wood – towering columns of Douglas Fir from Washington State rise upward to support a 40-foot roof overhead and crowned with a seven-foot crystal chandelier. The 6,336 square-foot barn can comfortably seat up to 350 guests inside. It was clear that “The Mill Barn” was built as a beautifully crafted showplace both inside and out, and it is the centerpiece of the property.
It was time to taste some wines, and Adriana did the tasting for us. We chose to sit outside on the beautiful tasting room patio and ordered lunch from their extensive food menu with our tasting. We had a Greek salad, an order of an amazing bruschetta, and a piece of key lime pie paired with a glass of Country Lane, all of which was delicious. We both agreed that a trip here for lunch with a bottle of wine was definitely in our future.
The Strahans strive to offer a selection of wines that suit the needs of every visitor. They offer a selection of wines for tasting that you pick for a set price. The wines available on the day of our visit included:
Wine Selections
Muscadine Based (Estate Grown)
- Country Lane – Dry White – Carlos grapes
- Barn Find – Semi-Sweet White – Magnolia grapes
- Sweet Bai – Sweet White – Carlos grapes
- Faye – Semi-Sweet Rosé – blend of red and white grapes
- Duchess – Semi-Sweet Red – Noble grapes
- Angelina – Sweet red blend of Noble, Ison, and Black Beauty grapes
- Burnin’ Daylight – Sweet White – d’Asti style
Classic Varietals
- 2018 Cabernet (California)
- 2020 Cabernet (California)
- 2021 Chardonnay (American)
- Fixin’ To – Pinot Noir and Muscadine blend – medium-bodied dry red (Texas)
- Promise Oak – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah blend – full-bodied dry red (Texas)
Sparkling Wines
- Calito – Pink Sparkling Gewürztraminer (Texas)
- Sparkling Rosé – Crisp and vibrant Rosé (California)
Port Wines
- Blanco Forté – Port-styled fortified white wine (Texas)
- Dark Portejas® – Port-Style fortified full-bodied wine (Texas)
Fruit Blend
- Amora – Semi-Sweet – Blackberry and Merlot blend
- Baby Blue – Blueberry – well balanced, intense, sweet and tart with smooth finish
- Cool Blue – Semi-Sweet – Blueberry and Cabernet Sauvignon blend
- Peach Pinot Gris – Sweetness of fresh peaches with zesty flavor of Pinot Gris (California)
- Sangria – Sweet – medium-bodied – wine blend
- Um Beijo – Sweet Rosé blended with natural strawberries – d’Asti style
My wife and I shared a tasting of 14 wines which were all excellent. We purchased a bottle of Country Lane, Duchess, and the Calito Sparkling Gewürztraminer to take home to our wine fridge. They also offer Wine-A-Ritas. We noticed during the tasting that the labels on the bottles are made in the shape of the barn – very unique!
Adriana Strahan
East Texas has become a great wine destination in Texas. When planning your visit to the area be sure to include Walkers Mill Vineyard & Winery on your list. Walkers Mill offers a unique vineyard and winery environment and from our visit, a great customer experience. The beautiful grounds and vineyards, built with passion, peace, and faith, complement this family-owned boutique winery ensuring that your visit will provide an incredible experience.
13983 FM 449, Hallsville, TX 75650
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