A New Era for East Texas Wine: Introducing Rio Neches Estate Winery

Hidden away among the rolling hills west of Tyler, Texas, a familiar vineyard is being reborn under fresh leadership. What was once the highly respected Pelle Legna Winery is now Rio Neches Estate Winery. Its transformation is being driven by a remarkable sister-sister duo: Sydney and Mason Dacus. The story behind the change is as compelling as the wines they aim to produce. This isn’t just a simple rebranding; it’s a committed continuation of a winemaking legacy, blending the rich history of the land with a fresh, family-driven vision.

You can’t talk about this winery and vineyard without acknowledging the work of the previous owner, Dawn Leatherwood, and the legacy of Pelle Legna Winery. Dawn built Pelle Legna from the ground up, transforming acres of forest into an established vineyard and winery over nearly two decades. She cultivated the vineyard with dedication, pioneering the successful growth of classic Vitis vinifera vines, a rarity in this part of Texas, and producing a number of award-winning wines. Her passion is the deep root that makes this transformation possible.

The torch has been passed to the Dacus family, specifically the talented brother-sister duo. Sydney and Mason, the new co-owners, started managing the Pelle Legna property over a year ago, but their vision stretches back for years. Though only in their mid-twenties, they are entering the Texas wine industry early, armed with an impressive combination of education and enthusiasm.

Sydney, Co-owner and Winemaker, brings a unique blend of passion, science, and grit to Rio Neches Winery. She is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Kinesiology, a minor in Entrepreneurship, and a certification in Enology. She recently earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch, but her heart has always been in the vineyard.

Sydney says she dreamed of owning a vineyard since she was 16, even before she was old enough to drink. Sydney honed her craft over two formative summers at Kiepersol Winery, where she gained hands-on experience, a grounded winemaking perspective, and deepened her love for winemaking. Today, she serves as the lead decision-maker and head winemaker at Rio Neches, where she’s turning her lifelong dream into reality – one bottle at a time.

Mason, Co-owner and Vineyard Manager, brings a sharp mind and deep curiosity to the vineyard at Rio Neches Winery. With a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University and a Master’s from Harvard, Mason approaches viticulture with the precision of a scientist and the heart of a grower. Though new to hands-on vineyard management, he’s poured countless hours into researching best practices and recently completed an Enology Certification from Cornell.

As the vineyard manager, Mason is dedicated to nurturing the vines from the ground up. His sister describes him as passionate, driven, and endlessly inquisitive. His goal is to build upon the strong foundation, respecting the hard work and quality standards that Pelle Legna established. He is committed to exactness and becoming eco-friendly, as well as ensuring that the vines get what they need exactly when they need it.

Rio Neches Estate Winery is committed to making 100% estate wines in its 10-acre vineyard. Current varietals planted include:

• Whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Viognier
• Reds: Sangiovese, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Rubi Red

Rio Neches feels strongly that their estate-grown philosophy helps ensure that every bottle of wine produced reflects the terroir of Rio Neches, which has been producing excellent fruit for years, now with a fresh winemaking perspective that Sydney and Mason bring.

While they are still transitioning and bringing their first full vintages to production, you can feel the excitement surrounding the quality of the upcoming harvests and future wines to be released. Their focus is on patience and quality over speed, which is a great sign for those of us looking for exceptional Texas-grown estate wines.

While they are just getting started, and as many of their vines still need time to mature and grow, Rio Neches shared their first three wines with us on our visit.

• 2025 Blanc du Bois (Dry)
• 2025 Dry Rosé (Petite Sirah Grapes)
• 2025 Sangiovese

We enjoyed the wines and brought a bottle of each home with us.

For those of us who have visited before, the peaceful setting along County Road 418 hasn’t changed. But it’s obvious that the vision has grown. Rio Neches Estate Winery plans to introduce:

• A warm, welcoming tasting room
• Winery Tours that discover the art of winemaking from vine to glass
• Local food and music events
• A deepened focus on community and terroir-driven wines grown in the estate vineyard

With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes and sunsets, and an inspiring new generation leading the way, Rio Neches Estate Winery stands as a must-visit Texas wine destination. It’s where bottles of wine are crafted from estate grapes grown on the very soil beneath your feet, and every view of the beautiful Rio Neches reflects the story from the past and present and now the future.

18633 County Rd 418, Tyler, TX 75704