Louisiana is famous for distilling Bayou rums, bourbon, gin, vodka, and whiskey. If you have a license, you can home distill your own moonshine. How do the Louisiana wineries compete with Bayou rums and other distilled spirits?
Well, using recipes of old south fruit and native Muscadine grapes, many wineries capitalize on the pairing of their wines with the traditional tastes of Louisiana.
You mustn’t forget there are many treasures that the state offers, from colorful festivals to fun-loving people. And a little-known fact is that Louisiana is home to some of the most exceptional selections of wine, complimenting the variety of things to do in the state.
Of late, a crop of white and red wine grapes has flourished in Louisiana, enticing wine enthusiasts to partake in the unique southern charm of traditional wine characteristics.
Pay a visit to the state to experience the best wine tasting in Louisiana and satisfy your palate, tasting wine of the South and walking the music amongst the vines.
Where to go For Wine Tasting in Louisiana
- Wild Bush Farm and Vineyard
- Landry Vineyards
- Kickapoo Twisted Winery
- La Serendipity Vineyards
- On Cloud Nine Winery
- Nola Tropical Winery
- Amato’s Winery
1. Wild Bush Farm and Vineyard
Previously known as Pontchartrain Vineyards, Wild Bush Farm and Vineyard is a farm-to-glass winery.
Winemaker John Seago has produced wines appealing to the southeast Louisiana culture since 1991. Seago opened his own winery, crafting wines from the estate grapes and world-class grapes from the west coast.
The vineyard is the only winery that produces table wines from a traditional bunch of wine grapes. The winery produces 2,500 cases per year, all handcrafted and designed for pairing with south Louisiana cuisine.
In 1997, the vineyard constructed a French provincial-style tasting room for forty-five acres of land.
Open Thursday through Sunday, from 12 to 4 PM. You can make reservations or drop by and have a taste. Here, they guide you through three current wine selections. You can order cheese plates according to your choice of wines.
Some recognizable wines produce Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah. In 2000, the vineyard started the Jazz in the Vines concert series and grew to become a popular live music showcase along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
2. Landry Vineyards
Initially established in Folsom in 2003, the vineyards became an official Louisiana Native Winery. Then, after Hurricane Katrina, the family-owned Landry Vineyards moved the establishment to higher grounds.
Now in West Monroe, the winery continues to craft distinct flavors. They focus on producing native wines, complimenting the flavorful Creole and Cajun flavors. Flavors stem from the deep French heritage of the area.
They have a new 20-acre location that rests in the stunning hill country of North Louisiana, with its vineyard, winery, and tasting room.
A. Jeff, Libby Landry, and their four sons grow a white European American hybrid, Blanc Du Bios with red grape, Norton well on its way.
Black Spanish (Lenoir) grapes are another unique offering when you try 2015 Louisiana Heat, handcrafted and aged in a heating room that caramelizes the sugars. As a result, a unique wood character from the barrels develops, offering exceptional wine for dessert pairings.
The winery also ships in other grapes from the west coast, crafting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot.
The Tasting Room hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 5 PM. Tours happen on Saturdays only, usually at 2 PM. On concert days, there are no tours, except for Lagniappe Saturdays. Bring your own food or purchase their cheese, sausage, and crackers.
The vineyard offers two Airbnb cottages to stay the night or consider using one of their three RV spots with a full camper hook-up. The vineyard also hosts concerts, which you can find on their website.
3. Kickapoo Twisted Winery and Vineyard
A small, but authentic local vineyard and winery, Kickapoo Twisted Winery offers tours by appointment. Contact them through their Facebook page.
Their Facebook page also has up-to-date operating hours to visit their Tasting Room and announce new releases. It appears they close on most holidays.
All their wine comes from the vineyard harvest grapes, growing Cabernet, Lenoir, Blanc Du Bois, and red and white Muscadines.
Take advantage of their Charcuterie plates to savory with a glass of wine. Blueberry Sangria is a good choice by glass or bottle. Or go with the Chardonnay as a refreshing dry white wine.
Some other wines worth satisfying your palate are Crimson Cabernet, Blush, and Sauvignon Blanc.
The vineyard also carries homemade jellies from locally grown grapes and fruits. Blackberry and Muscadine come in pint and half-pint jars for you to take home and relish.
4. La Serendipity Vineyards
Visitors describe La Serendipity Vineyards as a piece of paradise. In 2008, the owners of their 24-acre made their dream come true, boasting about 1,600 grape vines.
Many produce Blanc Du Dois grapes. The 2016 La Serendipity Blanc is a refreshingly sweet summer wine, ideal for outdoor sipping.
From grape to wine, every part of the winemaking happens here, where you can sample the vino in their 800-square-foot tasting room.
While sipping and pleasing your palate, overlook the paradise with views of the garden, orchard, vineyard, and pond.
They have a limited website and infrequent posts on their Facebook page. So, it’s a good idea to call before visiting the vineyard and winery. Most wine tasting happens on Saturdays and Sundays by appointment.
Nola.com posted an article about 25 volunteers harvesting grapes at the vineyard before sunrise. A picture shows rows and rows of vines. Another photo shows vintner Jan Langlinais instructing the volunteers how to pick grapes.
After lunch and wine, the volunteers took part in the bare-foot grape stomp. It appears this happens annually around the end of June. Call the vineyard for more information.
5. On Cloud Nine Winery
Tucked away in the delightful town of Shreveport, On Cloud Nine Winery has a passion for making, tasting and sharing excellent wine. Some call it “The biggest little winery in Louisiana”.
They ship grape juices from all over the world, making 16 different wines, alternating from dry to semi-sweet and very sweet.
Get a sweet and refreshing wine slushy on a hot day. The winemaking process is extensive, ensuring they serve each bottle at its peak.
Visit the Tasting Room and sample five wines of your choice. Choose an excellent Cabernet or a sweet dessert, whatever your palate desires.
Then, choose a full pour of your favorite, sit outside near the pond, and enjoy the atmosphere with family and friends. Hours are Wednesdays through Fridays, from 12 PM to 6 PM, and Saturdays from 11 AM to 6 PM. Closed on Sundays through Tuesdays.
The winery holds several events during the year, from Annual King Cake Wine Pairing to Wino Wednesday to Annual Witch Way to the Wine.
6. NOLA Tropical Winery
Wine without grapes makes NOLA Tropical Winery a game-changer as one of the best producers of fruit wine in Louisiana.
Fruit wines are a tradition of the deep South. The winery has upheld this tradition by featuring 40 wines with different flavors and textures. Free of tannic acids, there is no nasty wine hangover. The choices range from dry to sweet, something for everyone.
Established in New Orleans, the vintners handpick berries, citrus, and tropical fruits to make reds, whites, ports, dessert wines, sherry, and Muscadine.
Prizewinner of gold, silver, and bronze medals in international competitions, NOLA delivers unrivaled flavor in one of the region’s loudest and most proud cities.
The Fleur De Pompom, Decatur Dragon or Murielle Russian River are delicious wines. NOLA also sells smoothie wine mixes as a refreshing daiquiri alternative.
Hours are Mondays through Saturdays, from 10 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Call to find out about wine tasting.
7. Amato’s Winery
Made from grown fruit and grapes, Amato’s Winery dedicates itself to dry, semi-sweet/sweet strawberry, fruit, and Muscadine wines. You sip the wine, and the taste is refreshingly pleasing, and the Muscadine is a favorite amongst the locals.
Other wines include orange, cranberries, peaches, blueberries, and blackberries. Amato’s Blackberry is luscious, semi-sweet blackberry wine with a light, dry finish.
Try Amato’s Blueberry, a deliciously rich fruity blueberry wine pleasing to the palate. Amato’s Sweet Strawberry is enticing and pairs well with cheeses, fruits, and desserts.
The open year-round winery is part of the Mississippi Delta. The winery produces 20,000 cases on 175 acres of land. Henry Amato is a local celebrity who makes the wines and offers tours by appointment only.
