Local winery adjusts after change in alcohol sales
Summerhill Winery closed its storefront doors in June. The Texarkana wine business, however, is still pouring, just in a different way.
“We opened our doors April 2013,” owner Terry Willett said.
At that time, wine and beer sales were not allowed at Texarkana, Texas, grocery and convenience stores. But in November 2014, the city’s voters approved the sale of beer and wine at those establishments.
“… It made things far more difficult for smaller artisan outlets like ours,” Willett said.
Willett had discussed the matter with Texasside City Manager John Witson and he knew the community was going wet.
“We just thought we would have a fiveto-six-year adjustment period. The business climate shifted far faster than I … anticipated,” he said.
So in June, Summerhill Winery, formerly Red Road Winery, shut down its storefront operations. However, the winery is still in business.
“We do production and distribution now, which we have always done anyway,” Willett said. “What affected us was that you can go to any convenience store or grocery store now and buy wine. And with large retailers
now participating in sales, this affects the whole business in the area. We knew the risks and accepted it. Any time you are in business, community decisions and changing of the laws drastically affects the business climate.”
Summerhill Winery operates a vineyard and engages in wholesale sales as well as distribution.
“We still have our Summerhill Winery label and sell all the wines that were available in our storefront, including the Signature Red,” he said. “In addition, we have become the distributor for other wine lines, such as Razorback Wines. We have teamed up with local artist Tyler Arnold, who is producing the brand and label artwork.
“Also, we have signed a contract with country singer Miranda Lambert. We will be distributing her wines throughout Arkansas.”
“We are also in the label design business,” he said. “So those needing art or graphics work for their line of wines, we can help.”
Summerhill Winery also continues to participate in local festivals and wine shows. They are also open for orders as well as questions. Contact them at summerhillwinery@yahoo.com or call 903-2784283.