FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are some commonly asked questions asked by those who come to visit us at West Sandy Creek Winery! These include things such as how to get here, whether they can bring outside food, whether we’re a dog-friendly winery, whether kids are welcome, what kind of animals we have at the ranch (and whether you can feed them), whether we have wi-fi (of course), whether we have non-alcoholic drinks, and whether you can bring your own food! See the items below and, of course, if you have more questions please contact us!
Where are you located?
Our winery is near Huntsville, just 20 minutes from Sam Houston State University, and less than an hour from The Woodlands. Our address is 1773 FM 1791 Rd., Richards, Texas, 77873. It’s a short distance from Huntsville and The Woodlands, but it seems like a world away when you get here!
What are your hours?
Our tasting room is open Thursday 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Can I bring my dog?
We’re dog friendly! Dogs are welcome on the patio (but not inside), as long as they are on a leash. Because of all of the other animals here on the ranch, we don’t allow dogs in our Airbnb cabins.
When do you have live music at the winery?
We welcome a variety of local musicians for live music on our stage on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, as well as for occasional after-hours events. Live music is free on Saturdays from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Our special music events are ticketed and include a buffet of appetizers. You can check our music schedule on our website and on our Facebook page under events.
Can I bring food?
We always allow outside food. We do offer tapas platters for sale, and twice a month we have a food truck here on Saturdays. You can check our website for the food truck schedule. If you’d prefer to bring your own food or hire a caterer for a private event here, that’s fine with us!
When is the grape harvest?
We harvest grapes once a year, usually in early July. The grapes are crushed and the wine produced and aged right here on the ranch in our state-of-the-art production facility behind the tasting room.
What types of grapes do you grow?
We grow Pierce’s Disease resistant varieties such as Blanc du Bois, an American hybrid grape, and Lenoir (Black Spanish) grapes on our property. We look forward to planting some new varieties like Errante Noir, which will be a favorite for those looking for a big red wine with complex flavors.
Do you offer tours?
Vineyard tours are most likely to be available on Thursday and Friday, when we are less busy than on the weekends. The layout of our property allows for a self-guided tour including the vineyards, the animal enclosures, and the area around the tasting room.
What is the difference between a wine flight and a wine tasting?
At WSCW, a flight is composed of four wine selections, presented on a paddle. We offer some pre-selected flights of wines that have something in common with each other, such as all dry reds. A tasting includes 6 samples served one at a time in a wine glass at the WSCW tasting bar.
Is there a fee to visit or a cover charge?
No! There is no cover charge or fee to visit. We hope you’ll buy wine and spend some time enjoying the beauty of the forest and our ranch, but showing up doesn’t cost a thing.
Do I need reservations?
We welcome walk-in parties of all sizes, but we do strongly recommend that you make a reservation for parties of six or more. That allows us to plan for the best possible seating arrangement for you.
Do you have overnight accommodations?
We have four log cabins, rustic on the outside and luxurious on the inside, available for rent on Airbnb. You can see photos and details about our accommodations on our website and make a reservation on Airbnb. For RV enthusiasts, we are also a host for Harvest Hosts, and can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long. For more information about Harvest Hosts, click here.
How do I book a private event?
Contact us at info@WSCWinery.com. We have many options on our 360-acre property and can customize a package for your special event, party, or meeting.
What is the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail?
The Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail is an event that happens several times per year, lasting a month each time. With the purchase of a Wine Trail Passport, you can taste up to three unique wines at each participating winery. Your passport also entitles you to a complimentary wine trail logo glass from the first winery you visit. West Sandy Creek Winery is proud to be a participating winery in this partnership that promotes the wine region of Southeast Texas. For more information and to buy a passport, click here.
Are you physically accessible to people with disabilities?
Our property has a number of accommodations that make it accessible to people with disabilities. We have handicap parking with a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk from the parking area to the patio, and our restrooms are wheelchair-accessible. There are no architectural barriers that would prohibit movement on our patio or tasting room. We welcome friends of all levels of ability and strive to make everyone comfortable.
Do you have indoor or outdoor seating?
We have both indoor and outdoor seating available. Our tasting room offers tables and chairs in regular and bar heights. On our spacious patio, you’ll find a variety of comfortable seating, as well as fans and screens that shield the space from wind and rain.
Do you have free wi-fi?
We have free wi-fi, but we call it wine-fi! Ask your server if you need help connecting.
Do you offer non-alcoholic drinks?
We offer a number of non-alcoholic drinks, including bottled water, a selection of sodas, flavored sparkling water, Gatorade, coffee, and hot chocolate when the weather calls for it.
Do you have drinks other than wine?
The only alcoholic beverage we offer is wine. But it’s really good wine! If wine is not your thing, we hope you’ll enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage and the ambiance of our patio. Due to licensing regulations from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, we cannot allow any other alcoholic beverages to be brought into our public areas.
Do you offer food?
Our tapas platters are a collection of meat, cheese, and sweet and savory items that pair perfectly with our wines, and are available for purchase. Twice a month, we host a food truck on Saturdays, offering diverse fare from BBQ, empanadas, burgers, nachos and more. Our event calendar will tell you what days are Food Truck Saturdays.
What animals do you have on the ranch?
There are many, many animals that call the ranch home! We have cows, which you’d expect on a Texas ranch, as well as chickens and goats. West Sandy Creek Winery is also home to Sadeeq, a white dromedary camel, ___ donkeys, four paint horses which we rescued, ___ Great Pyrenees dogs, and a whole bunch of cats.
Can we feed the animals?
Yes! Ask your server about purchasing carrots to feed the donkeys, camel, and horses. You’ll be fast friends.
Are you a family-friendly winery?
Not only are we family-friendly, but we love having kids visit the ranch. There are animals to feed and plenty of room to roam. It’s the perfect setting for a family, where mom and dad can relax with a glass of wine and there’s plenty for kids to do.
How do I book a gig for myself as a musician?
Send an email to Megan McCready with links to your music and/or website, and she’ll be in touch. We’re always looking for new talent to add to our roster of amazing musician partners.
What is there to do over a weekend stay?
Our area is rich with Texas heritage and things to do. We are adjacent to the Sam Houston National Forest, one of only four national forests in Texas. The forest offers hiking, canoeing, and fishing. Don’t miss the Sam Houston statue and visitor center Eastham Thomason Park has plenty of outdoor activities, such as disc golf and a horseshoe pit! Check out the Things To Do page on the Visit Huntsville page for more ideas. You won’t be bored, we promise.