As spring green returns to the landscape, it’s time to get a taste of Northeast Louisiana’s burgeoning wine scene. Two well-regarded vineyards have established themselves on the fertile land watered by the Ouachita River, and both welcome visitors while offering outdoor live music gigs, paired bites, and on-site accommodations to enhance the experience.
Landry Vineyards, located in rolling countryside near West Monroe, produces twenty different wines that range from crisp whites, to dry barrel-aged and port-style blends, to fruit-forward semi-sweet wines for easy drinking. The vineyard’s tasting room commands excellent views, and hosts casual live music every Saturday; March brings the beginning of their Lagniappe Saturday Music and their Spring Concert Series, and there’s plenty of room to set out a blanket or lawn chairs to take advantage of the views, music, and wine selection. Each fall, the Landrys host two harvest festivals during which participants can stomp grapes to participate in the winemaking process.
Family-owned and -operated, Landry Vineyards has been licensed as a Louisiana Native Winery since 2002. Vineyard tours are available by appointment, with on-site accommodation in cottages and RV sites available too. To learn more about Landry Vineyards, click here.
A few miles west of West Monroe in nearby Calhoun, you’ll find Northeast Louisiana’s newest winery and vineyard, Thirsty Farmer. Inspired by a trip to Sonoma, California, founders Michael and Savannah Ray planted their first vineyard block in 2016 and have been expanding steadily ever since. Thirsty Farmer makes a variety of wines that range from easy-going whites to bold reds, and augments visitors’ experience by offering tastings, wine flights, and snack pairings in addition to sales of bottled wine. In addition, the winery recently added hard cider to its list of house-made offerings, in flavors including Smackberry and Louisiapple. The winery presents live music gigs every Saturday, and hosts special events like Wine & Food Pairing dinners and “Bring Your Own Steak” nights; keep your eyes peeled for the annual “Wineauxfest” event coming soon. To check out upcoming events click here.
