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Jill M. Rohrbach, travel writer

Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Arkansas is the largest and oldest wine-producing state in the South.  While it has plenty of old growth vines producing wines for fourth and fifth generation-run wineries, there are some budding vineyards taking hold in the industry as well.

A new presence among the oldest of the Arkansas wineries is Neumeier Winery (479-209-1224), which opened in 2011. Best known for its uniquely dry Muscadine wine, it is located atop Saint Mary's Mountain in Wiederkehr Village. In addition wine being made here, custom pottery by a master artisan is formed and fired on-site.

Wiederkehr Village is also home to one of the oldest wineries in the state, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars (800-622-WINE; www.wiederkehrwines.com). Its Weinkeller Restaurant features continental cuisine and is housed in the original hand-dug 1880 wine cellar. The Vintage 1880 Wine Shoppe sells wine, gourmet items, and wine-related gifts from corkscrews and wine stoppers to wine glasses and T-shirts. Wiederkehr also accommodates groups in its banquet hall and travelers in its RV park.

Next door in Altus are three more historic wineries - Post Familie Vineyards, Mount Bethel Winery, and Chateau Aux Arc Vineyards and Winery. The oldest commercial vineyard between California and New York, Post Familie Vineyards (800-275-8423; www.postfamilie.com) has been run by five generations of the Post family since 1880. Post offers an array of wines, juices and jellies as well as an extensive line of wine-related accessories in its gift shop.

While Mount Bethel Winery (479-468-2444; www.mountbethel.com) received its wine permit in 1956, the vineyards, winery and home on the current winery's land date back to Joe Post, the eldest son of Jacob Post who emigrated from Germany to the area in 1880. Owned by Eugene and Peggy Post, the setting for Mount Bethel Winery is a quaint, native rock structure in a farm setting. Mount Bethel is the original location of the Post Familie Winery, which moved after acquiring the Altus Cooperative Winery. Mt. Bethel vints classic wines such as Merlot, Cabernet and Chardonnay, native Arkansas varieties such as the Cynthiana and Muscadine, and specializes in fruit wines such as blackberry, blueberry, elderberry, peach, strawberry and wild plum.

Chateau Aux Arc (800-588-WINE; www.chateauauxarc.com), which means "House with an Arch" in French but is also the original French spelling of Ozark, planted its roots in 1998 when Audrey House finished college, bought her first 10 acres of vineyard in Altus, and opened her winery in 2001 selling vintages bottled in 1999 and 2000. She is one of the world's youngest winemakers and made her first wine at age 13. Now with about 40 acres, this vineyard is known as the world's largest planter of Cynthiana grapes, the largest U.S. Chardonnay vineyard outside of California, and the largest Zinfandel planter in Arkansas. Chateau Aux Arc features an eclectic tasting room featuring work from several local artisans.

Cowie Wine Cellars (479-963-3990; www.cowiewinecellars.com), home to the Arkansas Historic Wine Museum, is in nearby Paris. Unique to this small family winery that began operations in 1967 is the Gallery of Barrels, a collection of barrels adorned with oil paintings scenes of wine and wine history by artist Bette Kay Cowie. Cowie Wine Cellars also sells winemaking supplies, gifts, Arkansas-made Ozark Mountain Smokehouse meats, cheeses, and other picnic items. Guests can opt to stay at The Winery Bed and Breakfast Inn, also operated by the Cowie's.

This wine region is located just off Interstate 40 northwest of Little Rock and east of Fort Smith, near where the Arkansas River winds between the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains.

Arkansas Wine Country now grows outside of its Arkansas River Valley roots as well. Housed in the 1917 Taldo House, the Tontitown Winery also opened last year and is located in northwest Arkansas, which has its own grape history. The new winery brings back the Italian heritage of wine making in this region, and contains a history room featuring the traditions of the grape growing and winemaking Italians who founded the town. Tontitown is already famous for its more than a century old Grape Festival held each August.

Also in this corner of the state is Keels Creek Winery (479-253-WINE; www.keelscreek.com), located in Eureka Springs in a Spanish-style building shared with Keels Creek Art Gallery. The spaciousness allows an open feel for the art where viewers can relax in the wing-back chairs by two massive stone fireplaces. The retail wine area also has a popular wine tasting room. The winery's nearby 10 acres of vineyards contain more than 10 varieties of grapes. Keels Creek's intent is to stay a small boutique winery focused on local grapes harvested from its vineyard and three other local vineyards.

In the north central Ozarks, Raimondo Family Winery (870-421-2076; www.raimondowinery.com) produces wines, oils and vinegars at Blue Lady Resort in Gamaliel. Just 12 miles from Mountain Home, this winery features a tasting room and scenic views of Norfork Lake. The story of Raimondo Winery begins many generations ago with a family that traces its roots to Palermo, Sicily. The Raimondo Family began its winemaking heritage in the United States three generations ago when patriarch Marty Raimondo moved to California. His niece, Margie Roelands, after purchasing Blue Lady Resort in the Arkansas' Ozarks, realized her dream of turning the family winery into a commercially-operated business. Raimondo Winery became a small farm winery manufacturer in 2008, and produces wines from old world Italian varietals such as Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Viognier,  and Roussanne. 

All of The Natural State wineries offer tasting rooms.  Some have free tours and special events.

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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com

May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"