Tucked away in the heart of historic Nacogdoches, Texas, lies another East Texas hidden gem that offers more than just a great glass of wine—it provides an inviting experience where rustic western charm, local flavors, and warm hospitality converge.
Established in 2020, The Rusty Spur is a unique winery and bistro that is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Sherry Key and Morgan Weems. They share a love of westerns and a deep-seated fascination with wine. Their journey began a few years ago with a road trip into the heart of Texas wine country, igniting a dream to bring a slice of that experience back home to East Texas.
The Rusty Spur offers an exceptional wine experience with a Western twist. Their wine list features a selection of 100% Texas wines carefully created to pair perfectly with their bistro food offerings. On the day of my visit, the following wines were offered.
White & Rosé Wines
- 2023 Texas Verano White Blend (Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne), medium body, dry
- 2023 The Lorena White (Moscat Giallo), off-dry
- 2023 Muscat Canelli, semi-sweet
- 2023 Malvasia Bianca, sweet
- 2023 Texas Destello (sparkling Dolcetto Rosé), semi-sweet
Red Wines
- 2023 Sangiovese
- 2023 Tempranillo
- 2023 Texas Granate Red Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tempranillo), Silver Medal Winner 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo International Wine Competition
- 2023 Malbec
- 2023 Texas Noche (Carignan)
It was time for a tasting of their 100% Texas wines. They offer a selection of wines for tasting, you get to pick, for a set price. Sherry did my tasting and was very knowledgeable about each of the wines. I selected the following wines:
- 2023 Texas Verano White Blend
- 2023 Texas Destello Rosé Sparkling Wine
- 2023 Sangiovese
- 2023 Tempranillo
- 2023 Texas Granate Red Blend
The wines were all excellent. I purchased the 2023 Sangiovese, 2023 Verano, and the 2023 Granate Red Blend.
A visit to The Rusty Spur wouldn’t be complete without talking about their western-themed bistro menu. Complementing the wine offerings, the items on the menu have been thoughtfully chosen. It features hearty sandwiches, Panini sandwiches, fresh salads, flat breads, and charcuterie boards—all infused with a touch of Western flair. It was past lunchtime for me, and after the hour-long trip from home, I was very hungry. Now to decide between the Rooster Cogburn sandwich and Marshal Dillon Panini…. I chose the Rooster Cogburn and paired it with a glass of the Verano White blend wine—both were excellent.
The Rusty Spur is more than just a place to grab a quick bite or an excellent glass of Texas wine—it’s an experience. Plans are to build a new tasting room outside of the downtown Nacogdoches area that will provide an even better space for the great wine and food experiences currently offered. That process has already started, and the new building should be completed in 2025.
New tasting room
Don’t miss an opportunity to visit The Rusty Spur and see firsthand the love of Westerns and a fascination with Texas wine shared by the owners. “We created the Rusty Spur—a place for you to enjoy the western ambiance while savoring our authentic Texas wines. We invite you to sit back and relax, enjoy the simple pleasures of life with us!”
Morgan Weems and Sherry Key
405 E Hospital St, Nacogdoches, TX 75961
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