Windmill Farm Winery: A Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers in Seguin

Seguin, Texas, may not be the first place that springs to mind when looking for a fun and relaxing wine experience, but the locals know better.

Windmill Farm Winery by Water 2 Wine is located ten miles north of downtown Seguin and only 45 minutes from San Antonio or Austin. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Ryan and Robin Richter, this small-batch winery offers guests a down-home Texas vibe while serving up an impressive list of wines and fun events right in the heart of Texas.

I had a chance to visit Windmill Farm on a sunny Saturday afternoon in November. Despite being off the beaten path, the number of cars in the parking lot told me this was the place to be. The property consists of several barn-like structures done in a charming rustic décor that fits right in with their pastoral setting. The tasting room is a barn built in 1902 and lovingly restored to provide guests with the perfect atmosphere for whiling away a lazy afternoon. There are several picnic tables and chairs scattered around the lawn with a signature windmill gracing the skyline beyond.

As I approached the tasting room, I noticed a small group of guests holding a private party under a pavilion. Scattered around the lawn were several couples lounging in the sun while enjoying a glass of wine. Yep, I said to myself, this is a place where one can relax and get away from the cares of the world.

My first encounter with the staff was with one Henelena, the lovely and charming winery chicken who greets guests as they approach the tasting room door and generally oversees daily operations. Several of Henelena’s cousins wandered the yard keeping a discreet distance from guests. The winery also boasts two Great Pyrenees vineyard dogs, but I didn’t have a chance to meet them as they were on duty at the time.

Approaching the bar, I was greeted by a smiling associate and shown a menu of thirty wines ranging from sweet to dry. Windmill Farms sources grapes from all over the world and all wines are made on the property. No Texas wines are available at this time but keep an eye out in the future. Flights consist of four wines of the customer’s choice. Selecting a flight of wines, I chose a table where I could view the day’s activity. The flight I chose included a blend called the “Enigma,” a Syrah called the “Donkey Barn,” an Amarone, and an off-dry Riesling. All were very good, but I was especially intrigued by the Enigma which I later learned had earned several competition medals.

As I was enjoying my flight, I noticed a small group of folks hovering around a manual bottle corker in the corner of the room. Never one to be shy, I joined them and watched as Ryan Richter showed the Valdez family how to cork and label bottles of wine they themselves had made. I later learned that this is part of a “be your own winemaker” experience. This fun and educational activity allows guests to go through the steps of winemaking – from grape and yeast selection to fermentation and bottling – and come away with a batch of 28 bottles of their own custom wine. The entire process takes six to eight weeks and is very popular. A “half batch” experience of 14 bottles is also available but does not include the winemaking steps that precede corking and labeling.

The Valdez were excited to share stories of their experience and proud of the custom labels they had designed. They said their plans were to give most of the bottles away as Christmas gifts, but they would naturally keep a few for themselves.

Opened in 2022, Windmill Farm Winery already boasts an impressive 450 club members, a nice testament to the winery’s popularity. Club members can choose between two plans: a gold level that offers two bottles under $20 and two glasses of wine each month, and a platinum level offering any two bottles and two glasses of wine.

Windmill Farm Winery is currently open Thursday through Sunday. The winery is a family-friendly venue and offers a wide variety of fun events that would appeal to both young and young at heart. Be sure to follow them on social media to stay apprised of upcoming events or use the Events list on our website Guide and mobile app.

A relaxing atmosphere, a wide selection of wines, and family-friendly events. What more can anyone ask for? Be sure to stop in for a visit the next time you are in the area. And tell Henelena I said hello!

9111 Huber Rd, Seguin, TX 78155