Valle della Pace Vineyards and Winery: A Journey of Passion, Peace, and Progress

Located in the heart of Garden Valley, just north of Tyler, Texas, Valle della Pace Vineyards and Winery (Italian for “Valley of Peace”) is more than just a place to enjoy a glass of wine. It’s a testament to what happens when science, faith, and a deep love for wine come together.

My wife and I recently visited Valle della Pace to check out the wines and progress we had been hearing about since our last visit. As we entered the tasting room, we were greeted by friendly staff and soon realized that you don’t just get a menu; you get a story.

We learned that Valle della Pace didn’t start with a business plan; it began with a calling. In 2011, while walking around the property, owner Dr. Don Clark, who is a biochemist with a background in biotechnology, heard the word “vineyard.” It seemed to be coming from God. Questions arose in his mind: “Were we to start a vineyard? Can we even plant a vineyard here? Do we have suitable soil? What do we plant? What about water requirements?”

They were in the middle of the worst drought in 100 years. Their pond was drying up fast. Despite these ominous signs, they decided to go ahead. By Thanksgiving Day of that year, the vineyard was planted. Fortunately, it started to rain. The pond filled back up, and the young vines survived. Little did they know what lay ahead. Despite the challenges of growing grapes in East Texas, from humidity, insects, and disease to the wild pigs that once ate an entire season’s worth of red grapes, THEY PERSEVERED.

The first vines planted in their four-acre vineyard were primarily Blanc du Bois, Muscat, and Shiraz. Their first wine, a Blanc du Bois named “Blondie,” won a Gold Medal in its very first competition in 2015. They have recently planted four of the five Walker hybrid grape varietals, including Camminare Noir, Paseante Noir, Errante Noir, and Ambulo Blanc. Because of the numerous threats faced by vineyards located in East Texas, Valle della Pace has adopted a partially organic approach. They have made the decision to eliminate harsh chemicals and salt fertilizers, ensuring a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to vineyard management, resulting in a “cleaner” wine that lets the fruit shine.

What started as a single white wine has grown into a collection of over 25 meticulously crafted selections with a focus on enhancing aroma, flavor, and balance, resulting in many award-winning wines, meads, and ports. The winemaking process is led by the “Mad Scientist” himself, Dr. Don, and his innovative son and assistant winemaker, Josh. They exclusively offer wines that meet their stringent standards of quality. Dr. Don, with a biochemistry and biotechnology background, asserts that “the quest for excellence persists until these objectives are met.”

It was time for a tasting! Because of the large number of wines available, we each tasted six of the wines and all four of the meads. They offer a selection of wines for a set price that you get to select.

Wines Available (21)

• 3 Sweet Whites
• 4 Dry Whites
• 9 Dry Reds
• 2 Sweet Reds
• 3 Ports

Wines Tasted

• Blondie (Blanc du Bois)
• Pinot Grigio
• Rosie (Dry rosé)
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Sangiovese
• Cabernet Sauvignon Whiskey Barrel Aged
• Aglianico
• Ram (Shiraz)
• Shiraz Reserve
• Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
• Ruby (Semi-sweet Ruby Cabernet)
• Ruby Portejas

We enjoyed all the wines that we tasted. We took home a bottle of Blondie, Sangiovese, and a Cabernet Sauvignon Whiskey Barrel Aged on this trip.

We weren’t expecting to fall in love with their meads, but their honey wines were game changers for both of us. They were balanced, not overly sweet, and very refreshing. The following meads were available, and the ones that we tasted:

• Traditional Mead
• Blueberry Mead
• Cherry Mead
• Golden Portejas

The Golden Portejas was amazing. It is a port-style, amber-hued dessert mead, crafted from raw Texas forest honey, fortified with brandy, and aged in American oak. We definitely took a bottle home with us.

Keep an eye out for the expanding mead and port programs at Valle della Pace. Josh is constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking, producing fruit-forward honey wines and rich oaked ports that redefine the Texas palate.

For those looking for food options, Valle della Pace offers several menu items to complement your visit and wine tasting experience:

• Charcuterie boards
• Italian-style pizza
• Delicious locally made cheesecakes

We chose a supreme pizza before the tasting, and a piece of mocha espresso cheesecake, served with a glass of Golden Portejas. It was an amazing pairing!!

Dr. Don and Josh invited us to look at the new production building that was recently completed. This nearly 4,000 sq. ft. structure was constructed as a stand-alone building to produce their wines and meads. Josh also pointed out several pot stills in the facility and shared with us their latest venture. They are going to distill, bottle, and sell Brandy and Limoncello as soon as they get their final regulatory permits.

There is a real sense of community here. It seems like the kind of place where you arrive as a stranger and feel like a part of the Valle della Pace family when you leave. It has become a local community hub, hosting a growing calendar of events, including live music nights, seasonal celebrations, family gatherings, and hosting “BYOM” (Bring Your Own Meat Night). BYOM is a cookout tradition enjoyed by many who savor a gathering of good friends.

In a major step forward, Valle della Pace opened a second tasting room inside the historic Beckham Hotel in downtown Mineola, bringing its wines and hospitality to a broader audience in East Texas. We visited the new location, which is shared with an art studio, and were impressed with the uniqueness of the tasting room, the very friendly and helpful staff, and, of course, the same great wine and food offerings.

Valle della Pace Vineyards and Winery stands as a testament to what passion, resilience, and community spirit can achieve. From its humble roots in a drought-stricken field to becoming a great stop on the Piney Woods Wine Trail, and now expanding into new markets and experiences, the winery continues to grow in exciting ways.

Whether you’re discovering Valle della Pace for the first time or returning to see what’s new, there’s never been a better moment to experience this East Texas winery. With two tasting locations, an evolving wine lineup, and a vibrant event schedule, Valle della Pace invites guests to slow down, savor the moment, and “enjoy the PEACE that inspired it all.”