What was once Helotes Creek Winery is now becoming Dawson’s Creek Winery, led by owners David and Melissa Stallcup. The Stallcups officially took over the winery on New Year’s Eve 2022, and since then, they’ve worked to remodel the space, expand the wine list, and make the brand their own.
I recently visited the northwest city of Helotes on the outskirts of San Antonio, where I had last visited Helotes Creek Winery in 2014. The winery looked similar on the outside, but the inside had been remodeled since my last visit.
I met co-owner David Stallcup, who is also the winemaker, after he helped other customers present, and we had a nice chat as he described the wines. There is a large selection of wines including dry, rosé, sweet, and dessert. These are only some of the wines available at the time of my visit:
- Good Girl (dry Grenache rosé) – Australian
- Taking Chances (dry Trebbiano, Chardonnay) – Italian
- Group Therapy (dry Sauvignon Blanc) – South Africa
- Reckless (dry Riesling) – Germany
- Complicated (dry Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Houdini (dry Grenache, Syrah) – Spain
- Fancy (sweet Strawberry Riesling)
- Peach (sweet)
- Oompa Loompa (Chocolate Orange) – dessert wine
- Gingerbread Cookie – dessert wine
The winery currently sources juice from around the world rather than Texas vineyards. During a tasting, you can select any six wines for a tasting which includes a signature glass. For a fun twist, the tasting room also offers wine slushies, and these were the slushies available at the time:
- French rosé
- Fancy Strawberry
- Peach
- CBD Winerita
The name Dawson’s Creek isn’t just a play on the TV show—it comes from Melissa and David’s nine-year-old son, Dawson. He was born with a rare neurological condition called lissencephaly, sometimes referred to as “smooth brain.” The winery’s koala bear logo honors him, since koalas also have smooth brains. Every wine bottle label includes the phrase “Koalafied! ‘Smooth Wines, Crafted With Love,’” a tribute both to Dawson and to the wines themselves.
As David explained, their goal is to build something lasting that can support Dawson throughout his life. It’s a mission that makes the winery more than just a business—it’s a legacy.
The Stallcups have already given the Helotes tasting room a facelift. What used to be a thrift shop has been transformed into a cozy winery space, complete with outdoor seating for guests. Production is located off-site and is fully licensed under Dawson’s Creek Winery, while the Helotes location serves as the retail tasting room.
Though the website and Facebook page still carry the Helotes Creek Winery name, the changeover is in progress. Label approvals, licensing, and marketing updates all take time, but Melissa and David own both names and are steadily moving toward a full Dawson’s Creek Winery relaunch. When complete, the new website will feature refreshed branding and updated labels to reflect the new era.
Want more reasons to visit Dawson’s Creek Winery? Every first Saturday in the month, Helotes has the Helotes Marketplace when Main Street fills with vendors, food, and live music—a perfect time to plan a visit.
David Stallcup
With a large selection of wines in their portfolio, the Stallcups are excited for what lies ahead. For now, visitors can expect a welcoming atmosphere, a thoughtful range of wines, and a family story that makes every glass more meaningful.
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