The Dream that Became WSCW
West Sandy Creek Winery opened to the public in 2019, but the story of the ranch, vineyard, and winery is much older than that. It was Stan McGinley’s retirement project, and the first inklings of this dream emerged decades ago.
As newlyweds, Stan and Peggy McGinley lived in northern Italy for six years while Stan was stationed there as a JAG officer in the US Army. It was there that Stan fell in love with wine and winemaking.
Stan retired from active-duty service in 1971 but continued in the reserves for several years after that. He and his family went from Italy to Saudi Arabia where he joined the law department of Saudi Aramco. After a 40-year career, Stan retired in 2010, as the Senior Vice President/General Counsel.
The McGinley family purchased the ranch in 2007. He was interested in investing in rural property for the whole family to enjoy, where his 10 grandchildren (the ranch was nicknamed “Cousin Camp”) could spend time outdoors and he could grow some grapes for his retirement hobby. The spot they chose was especially attractive because of the majesty of the Sam Houston National Forest, which adjoins the McGinley property. The property was really the perfect pairing of a country getaway and a place where he could indulge his love of wine and winemaking.
The first vines, Blanc Du Bois and Black Spanish (Lenoir), were planted in 2009. The family expanded the vineyard through their own clippings, propagating their own plants. It takes about five years for the plants to fully mature and produce enough to harvest and make wine. The first wine produced at WSCW was a Blanc du Bois in 2013.
In 2015, the tasting room and production facility were built. Over the course of the next several years, Stan built the five log cabins as well. (if you haven’t stayed in one, you really should! They are available for rent on Airbnb.)
Between 2015 and 2019, the family continued to grow and harvest grapes and produce wine. Opening to the public on March 14, 2019, was a moment of great pride for Stan and the whole family.
Stan always hoped that West Sandy Creek Winery would become the thriving business it is today, where no one is a stranger, and the wine and the views combine for a wonderful and relaxing country visit.
