A home with an active producing vineyard in North Texas? You bet your chardonnay! I just got in a few hours ago from the Peninsula of northern California where we spent some time near Saratoga Springs at a shooting range. Yes, Virgina, people do own guns in California. Along the winding mountain road we saw numerous, charming little winery estates tucked into the hillside. Then I come home to find out all I have to do is head north a few miles from Dallas to Sherman to find a 44 acre estate with picturesque horizon views and a bountiful 15-acre vineyard of Chambourcin grapes: Angel Ridge Manor at 5312 State Highway 11. The winery produced 9 tons of grapes in 2011.
Yes, Virginia, there are vineyards in North Texas!
Angel Ridge Manor — love the name — also includes a nearly 14,000 square foot residence, two ponds, groves of trees, a barn and a three-bedroom guest house with basement. The main estate home has no less than seven living areas because, I suppose, you need to taste wine in each one. Or at least I DO! I’m sure the family room makes the Merlot take on a more casual cache, while the formality of the parlor tones up the Beaujolais.
Oh my, don’t let me stop there with FORMALS! No no no, this house is amazing — cooler, maybe, than the Thomas Dundon home over on Northwest Highway just west of Inwood. This veritable palace has a four-tiered home theater, spa, party rooms, an Irish-style pub, music exercise and billiard rooms. There is an indoor lap pool with water falls. There is also, in one of the formal rooms, a 20 foot cast stone fireplace. There is also an elevator or two, extensive stone columns, a secure/tornado/panic room, cabana with fireplace, outdoor kitchen, horseshoe pit, and regulation size tennis and basketball courts. The 70 by 40 foot barn houses a complete water treatment system with 3500 gallons of storage.
This place may well be what I have always dreamed of: a freaking compound with WINE!
I’m actually a little disappointed there is only a four-car garage, but at least it is climate controlled to protect the leather seats on the Rolls and Ferrari.
Situated high on a ridge, the very stately approach to this estate features a quarter mile wrought iron and brick pillar fence leading to a gated entry and a lighted bridge along the dramatic tree-lined drive. Asking $2,650,000 which is reduced from $2,700,000 which tells me these sellers are SERIOUS with a capital S and… I’m in the mood to go up and taste some wine. How about you?
