ABOUT US
Meet Krista and Scott Hartman
Krista and Scott Hartman moved to Texas from the Midwest in 2006. Krista is from Iowa, Scott is from Wisconsin. Rural American roots are woven into their fiber. Before meeting over 24 years ago, they both loved wine, now it’s moved beyond an avid hobby to a lifestyle.
Red River Wines is the outpouring of inspiration brought about by adventures exploring the wine, food, cultures and amazing people of Old and New World winemaking. We are passionate about connecting people through wine and hospitality. Experience the winemaking craft up close in an easy-going environment. Enjoy tasting, learning, and relaxing as you raise a glass with us!
Our Story
Since moving to Dallas in 2006, Krista and Scott have delighted in exploring the collection of regional Texas wine communities throughout the state. Often, the car ride home would involve a dream of moving to the country and planting a vineyard “someday down the road.”
In 2014, they decided it was time to explore this dream seriously. Krista began her grape education at the T.V. Munson Center for Viticulture and Enology at Grayson College. The Hartmans traveled all over the Texoma AVA to find the correct soil types for grape growing and the right property to live and work.
Red River Wines came to life in 2015 when they landed on a tired ranch property in Sadler, Texas just about 10 minutes south of the Red River and Lake Texoma. After nearly nine years of repurposing, renovating and adding to existing buildings on property, they have appointed a private residence, a micro-winery they call the Wine Shack, and the Winemaker’s Gathering Table, a unique adjacent space for intimate tasting experiences.
Our Process
The Hartman Vineyard was planted as a test vineyard in 2016, beginning with Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Alvarinho, and Viognier. Today, over three acres of vines are planted from three different Spanish Tempranillo clones. The original Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo remain in the test vineyard, and we’ve added Garnacha, Graciano, Viura, Picpoul Blanc, and Roussanne, plus some rootstock tests.
Our hearts, souls, hands and feet invest an incredible amount of care and attention to the land and vines every year. We work tirelessly to preserve the necessary conditions to produce quality Texoma AVA estate wines from the Hartman Vineyard.
Krista, our winegrower and winemaker, patiently and passionately produces crisp dry whites, fresh rosés, light bodied reds and traditional barrel aged dry reds each vintage. Grapes are nurtured from dormancy to harvest each year in the Hartman Vineyard, and also sourced from Texas AVA’s and regions close by.
We have an strong relationship with our neighbor grower, Breaking Bud Vineyard, where we source our Texoma AVA Picpoul Blanc, Syrah and Monastrell (aka Mourvedre). Also, thanks to fellow winery owners in our region, we’re fortunate to be given opportunities to vinify small lots of grapes from the Texas High Plains AVA and other vibrant Texas grape growing regions.