Lightcatcher Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Caris Turpen, owner and winemaker, is enthusiastic about producing wines. While her winemaking preference is the big reds, she also produces white wines for white wine enthusiasts. Visit Lightcatcher Winery in Fort Worth, Texas for its wines, bistro and music events. Check the hours of operation before leaving for the winery or bistro.
Terry and Caris Turpen entered the winery industry and opened Lightcatcher Winery after years in other careers. Caris developed a passion for wine that led her into home winemaking. Wanting to hone her skills more, she went back to school for a degree in enology and viticulture. Lightcatcher Winery was located in a small building for its first year in 2002 and then the Turpens purchased the current four-acre property and built the current winery building in 2003. The winery also contains a bistro and Caris is also the chef for the bistro.
Caris believes that building space should be multi-use and this carries over to the main winery room that is also a barrel room, production room and fine dining room for the bistro. A large patio is available and provides an excellent spot to enjoy a glass of Lightcatcher wine. The tasting counter is located in a vibrant room filled with colors and a large number of gift items and wine accessories to browse. Enjoy tasting wine while browsing. While in the tasting room you may be fortunate enough to meet the winery mascot. Chai, a white cat, had once been a stray and adopted Caris and Terry. Chai is a Registered Service Animal.
Wines
Caris produces 12 to 15 different wines each year resulting in 3,500 cases of wine. Texas Kiss 2008 was a Merlot Rosé with a red/pink color. The aroma and taste offered raspberry nuances. The wine had a smooth mouth feel. The finish was crisp and slightly sweet. This would be a nice patio wine or consider pairing it with spicy food. Chardonnay 2008 was aged for nine months in one-year-old oak barrels. The result was a wine that was velvety and creamy. There was citrus on the finish. Merlot 2008 with a ruby color was made only in stainless steel. The aroma and taste were of black fruit and spice. The finish was crisp with very mild tannins. This wine can be enjoyed young. Remuda Red 2008 was named after the remount horses. This red wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, was not aged in oak. There were noticeable black fruit nuances especially blackberries on the aroma and taste. The wine offered mild tannins with a long fruit finish. Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 was an opaque, dark ruby color. The aroma and taste offered blackberry nuances. There were tannins on the finish.
Events
The winery hosts “top notch jazz groups” according to Caris. These events bring in 120 to 200 visitors. Private events also take place at the winery including weddings and showers.
Bistro
Caris is also the head chef for the onsite Bistro. She uses local products in preparing her lunches and dinners. Menus change with the season. Examples of lunch options include: seasonal tasting plates to pair with red or white wines, salads, quesadillas, beef tenderloin panino, jazz burger and pizzas. Dinners include a choice of salads, appetizers and steaks. Check the hours that the bistro is open.
Enjoy a visit to Lightcatcher Winery in Fort Worth, Texas just a short distance from DFW International Airport.
Lightcatcher Winery
6925 Confederate Park Rd.
Fort Worth , Texas 76108-9307
GPS: N32º 49.355’ W97º 30.703’
Visit these Texas wineries that partner with Wine Trail Traveler.
 |
 |
 |
 |
