LightCatcher Winery Review

Address: 6925 Confederate Park Rd. Fort Worth,Texas 76108.
Phone Number: 817-237-2626
Tasting Hours: Wed-Thurs 12:00-6:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-8:00, Sun 12:00-5:00

Region: Texas
Reviewer: Adria Schmedthorst
Review Date: 5/9/2012
Reviewer: Adria Schmedthorst
Rating: 4

The Review

For winery visitors looking for a true Texas-style experience, Light Catcher Winery & Bistro near Lake Worth is the place to choose.

The Place: &nbspOnly ten miles northwest of downtown Fort Worth, Light Catcher Winery feels a world away from the city. The post oak tree shaded property and the wrought iron gate decorated with grape clusters hanging from longhorns offers a country experience without actually leaving the city. As you step out of your car, don’t forget to walk through the grapevines in the front of the property to learn a little more about the growing process.

On a gorgeous flagstone patio, you will find red umbrella-covered tables perfect for relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine. Or, move inside to choose your wine at the black granite tasting bar and pull up a stool at one of the oak barrel tables.

The Experience: &nbspAfter 25 years in the film industry, Caris Turpen and her husband, Terry, opened Light Catcher in 2001. Stepping into their winery you can feel that it has truly been a labor of love. No detail is too small for Caris. Even their wineglasses express their passion, with a quote from Ovid, “Night and Love and Wine Want No Half Measures”.

The coral walls are covered in local art and awards for their wines, including eight Texas-size belt buckles won at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s International Wine Competition. The ninth buckle is on Terry’s belt.

To the left of the main room, is a barrel and production room that also serves as a dining room for the bistro. Here, you can watch as Light Catcher’s wines are bottled, listen as Caris explains the process, or get a glimpse of Terry’s personal collection of martini glasses and shakers from the 1920’s.

The Wines: &nbspWith 3500 cases of 12-15 different wines produced each year from grapes grown on the High Plains of West Texas, Light Catcher has something to suit everyone’s taste. Their Happy Cat White, named for their winery cat, Chai, is a great choice for those hot Texas summers. And, their Texas Kiss Merlot Rose, with its lipstick printed bottle, is a staff favorite and a perfect patio wine. Take home one of Light Catcher’s big reds, like their Jackrabbit Merlot, or choose their Roadrunner Viognier for $22.

Insider’s Tip: &nbspLight Catcher hosts Jazz Sundays on the first and third Sunday of each month. With a $10 per person admission, these events offer an afternoon of great music, food, and wine. For those who are always ready for a fun day out, Light Catcher puts a new twist on their Crush Day every August. Show up dressed like Lucy in the famous grape stomping scene from “I Love Lucy” and take home a free bottle of Rose.